I'm in a lab, get me out of here!
Copies of this helpsheet are available from Careers Reception at Bulmershe and Whiteknights. Large print and alternative format versions are also available on request.
Overview of applications
There is a wide range of jobs available to those studying science. These roles often require a strong scientific understanding plus a good set of techniques and are not restricted to the Laboratory. The list below suggests some of the opportunities on offer. The skills section alerts you to some of the skills that may be required of you in particular jobs and the information sources focus on a sample of the more popular career choices.
Skills required
Many of these occupations draw on the same skill set but some rely more heavily on specific skills than others. For the health professions such as occupational therapy, nursing and osteopathy the ability to communicate with patients is essential and to acquire a knowledge of anatomy and physiology is also crucial. As a journalist, editorial assistant and technical writer, you need to articulate in writing complex scientific concepts to the lay person. For jobs such as Systems Analyst, Technical Brewer and Media Researcher there is a strong element of problem solving. In Production Management, Radiation Protection and Recycling work there is a strong adherence to procedures and processes. Patent Officers and Medical Physicists on the other hand draw on attention to detail.
Entry and training routes vary considerably. In the police for example, training is given on the job. By contrast in accountancy and patent work, trainees work nine to five and are expected to study for external exams. Areas such as journalism are more flexible in that staff can work their way up through the ranks or take a postgraduate course for entry at a higher level. In teaching, science communication and speech therapy a full-time postgraduate course is usually essential. In all of these situations, there needs to be a willingness to learn and an ability to utilise time management skills.
Work experience
Increasingly, significance is attached to obtaining work experience especially in the more popular occupations such as teaching, museums/science parks and journalism. This provides evidence of your interest in the profession and gives a useful focus at interview.
For teaching, there are specific schemes such as CSV Learning Together which lasts only 10 weeks and the Teaching Associate Scheme both of which offer invaluable insight into the profession. Museums and science parks are popular so it is necessary to plan your work experience well in advance. For journalism involvement in student media activities is as valuable as work experience with your local paper. Nevertheless, entry to some postgraduate courses may demand work experience on a provincial daily.
In each instance, the Careers Advisory Service can advise you so that you can maximise your chances. You need to plan in advance and be clear of what you hope to gain from the experience. Look at the Job Shop for vacancies.
Vacancy sources
Media Research
- Skillset
- FT2
- TRC
- British Film Institute
- Broadcast Journalism Training Council
- BBC Training & Deveopment
- The Publishers Association
- Periodical Publishers Association
Patent Agent
- Directory of Patent Agencies
- Inside Careers Guide (Patent Work)
- Chartered Institute of Patent Agents
- European Patent Office
- Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys
- UK Intellectual Property Office
Science Park Curator
- Museums and Galleries Yearbook
- Museums Journal
- The Guardian (Mondays)
- The British Museum
- The Museums Association
Scientific Writing
Additional job roles
- Accountant
- Audiologist
- Charity Campaigner
- Civil Servant
- Clinical Research Associate
- Conservation Officer
- Editorial Assistant
- Environmental Health Inspector
- Environmental Officer
- Geological Scientist
- Journalist
- Intelligence Officer
- Medical Physicist
- Metallurgist
- Meteorologist
- Nurse
- Occupational Therapist
- Oceanographer
- Osteopath
- Paramedic
- Patent Officer
- Personnel Manager
- Police Officer
- Production Manager
- Quality Controller
- Radiation Protection Adviser
- Recycling Officer
- Renewable Energy Officer
- Researcher (Media)
- Science Communicator
- Sedimentologist
- Science Park Curator
- Scientific Writer
- Scientist (Process Development)
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Systems Analyst
- Teacher/Lecturer
- Technical Writer
- Textile Technologist
- Tax Inspector
- Technical Brewer
- Trading Standards Officer
More General Resources
(*available in CAS)
Countryside Job Service*
Environment Post*
Nature
New Scientist*
The Daily Telegraph
The Guardian*
Hobsons and Prospects website and directories
Other useful websites
Training and Development Agency for Schools
NHS
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Police
National Graduate Development Programme
Local Government Jobs
CSV contact Julia Hodgson on j.m.hodgson@reading.ac.uk
Student Associates Scheme contact studentassociatescheme@reading.ac.uk