Chemistry Alumni Careers Event

The evening provided a series of short talks from Chemistry alumni, reflecting on their career experiences since they left full time study behind.  This enabled current students to learn from the personal experience of those who have already completed a chemistry degree in Southampton and increase their awareness of career opportunities, as well as the opportunity to network with those who have already started their career and  make contacts for the future.

The talks specifically focused on how those in scientific careers are also influencers of their environment.  This included influence in terms of opinion, staff development, customer relations, a particular readership, the work of colleagues and many more things besides.

Each presenter gave a sense of how their studies informed their career choices and what their current roles actually entail.  They informed current students  about  things that were a surprise to them when starting at work and what they felt well prepared for.  Such personal insights gave current students a real sense of the opportunities beyond University, and what needs to be done to win one .... and then what needs to be done to succeed. 

Fourth year MChem student Christine Darby says: ‘Alumni events broaden your horizons much further and help you realise all the options available out there for people who study a degree in chemistry.’

Director of Programmes Dr Jeremy Hinks commented: 'As always, the talks were delivered with a real sense of passion and personal commitment. Each speaker had a different story to tell and a series of different messages to send based on their own experience. You cannot help but be inspired by the enthusiasm of the alumni who above all make it clear that there are many opportunities out there of those who are willing to go and find them. These events do not provide jobs on a plate to the audience but they provide a fantastic insight and offer a chance to start networking with people already out there in the world of work.'