Now in her fourth year, Jasmine has thoroughly enjoyed her studies and industry placement and is now looking forward to a career in law – showing how versatile a chemistry degree can be.
Excellent chemistry facilities
I chose Southampton specifically for the undergraduate laboratory space, which had just been refurbished when I joined in 2022.
Having benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) machines in our lab was particularly helpful to develop my practical and analytical skills, which I then later used heavily during my third-year research project.
I’ve also been really impressed by the range of study spaces dotted around campus and in the city centre.
There’s a sense of community
The chemistry cohort is mid-sized, which means we’ve been able to build a real sense of community and we help each other with lecture content and revision. The chemistry building has its own common room, which is a great space to catch up with course mates and staff, and meet new people.
Outside of the course, the University has a wide range of societies to join, from sports to cultural societies. There is truly something for everyone!
Being a smaller cohort makes it easier to get to know your lecturers, and they’re always happy to help with any queries.
Applying what I’ve learned in industry
I’m currently on my final-year industrial placement at Unilever in Port Sunlight. It’s one of my best experiences during my time at Southampton.
It has taught me how to apply the theoretical knowledge I’ve learned to real-life applications, as well as shedding light on the many different career paths a chemistry degree can take you down.
It’s a versatile degree
Doing chemistry doesn’t limit you to one career path – it opens the door to many other industries.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my studies, but I haven’t found a particular area of chemistry I want to pursue as a career. I’ve therefore accepted a training contract to become a solicitor after I graduate.
My degree has equipped me with lots of transferable skills, like time management, presentation and communication, that I can apply in my future career.
My advice for new students
Have fun and try new things! During my time here I’ve met new people and tried different sports and activities, including a charity skydive, which was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I would also recommend taking any internship opportunities that arise, whether related to your degree or not. It’s a great way to gain experience and expand your network.
