Beyond graduation - Biological Science students consider their future

Two hundred Biological Sciences students seized their chance to learn more about future careers at a special event highlighting opportunities after graduation.

There was information on teaching courses (PGCEs) and postgraduate study, along with advice on CV writing, making elevator pitches and how to do well at assessment centres and medical interviews. Two panel sessions covered specific careers in detail*.

Staff at Biological Sciences teamed up with Career Destinations and the students of BioSoc to stage the event. “We were pleased so many students came along to find out about potential opportunities,” says Dr Judith Lock, Teaching Fellow in Biological Sciences. “This is something we will definitely repeat in years to come.”

A survey of students who had attended revealed more than 94 per cent of them thought the sessions had helped them think more about their future. Comments included: “It was very useful being able to talk to individuals on a one to one basis and get more information from those with experience in the field that I'm interested in pursuing,” and “I went to the Biology careers panel and thought it was really useful. The range of people on the panel was excellent and it was clear they all wanted to be as informative as possible.”

Two panels of experts spoke about careers in their areas at evening sessions.

- The Biochem/Biomed panel consisted of Dr Anna Farris – Postgraduate medicine, Dr Carrie Batten – Institute of Animal Health, Frederica Marques – Social Economist, Dr Kathleen Bodey – Biomedical scientist (IBMS) and Lena Hameed - Barrister with the Financial Ombudsman Service.

- The Biology/Zoology panel consisted of John Poland - Principal Ecologist, Hampshire Ecological Services Ltd, Dr Julian Foster - teacher, Peter Symonds College, Winchester, Marina Pacheco - CEO The Mammal Society, Tania Gilbert - conservation biologist, Marwell Wildlife, Dr Robert Holland - research fellow, University of Southampton