Emily Curnock MChem Chemistry with year long industrial placement, 2016

Graduate

I chose to study at Southampton because the research stood out to me as being very interesting and ground-breaking. When I first visited Southampton, I noticed how friendly the staff were, and they really made me feel welcome. I felt very at home as soon as I was on campus; as I liked the greenery and pretty setting.

*Course formerly titled MChem Chemistry with a year long placement.

I chose MChem Chemistry with a Year Long Placement, as I knew it would allow me to develop lots of new skills, as well as giving me an insight into what industrial chemical research involved. I thoroughly enjoyed my placement and it has confirmed that I would like to pursue a career in the chemical industry, as well as solidifying the area of research I would like to be involved in.

The careers service has been particularly helpful to me throughout my time at university. Before applying for my placement I went to them for advice and help with my CV. I booked a one-to-one session with a careers advisor, allowing me to significantly improve my CV and understand what industrial employers were looking for. The careers service has also been very useful in regards to applying for graduate jobs. I used their online careers service to sign up for job notifications, after stating which kind of job I was interested in applying for.

The Chemistry teaching staff are incredibly helpful at Southampton. If you are struggling with any of the learning content, lecturers encourage you to email them or go to their office to try and resolve the problem. The students’ opinions are really valued; I am currently an SSLC (Staff-Student Liaison Committee) representative for the 4th year chemistry cohort. The SSLC enables students and staff to work together, allowing students to get the most they possibly can out of their degree. The meetings have proved a very effective way of addressing any issues.

Being part of the Chemistry Society is also a great way to meet new people and have fun. The Society organises many great events, including the annual Summer Ball and ChemSoc quizzes. These events allow you to spend time with other chemists outside of lectures, and allow you to make friends with students from all years. Being at university allows you to develop a wide range of new skills, both related to your course and otherwise. I received the ‘Chemistry Scolar’ award in second year for achieving grades within the top ten in my cohort (73%). As a result I also received £1000 from the chemistry department. Whilst being at university my independence and confidence have increased greatly, and I have developed long lasting friendships.