Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Chemistry: The Next Generation staged their second biannual chemistry careers evening with almost 200 students attending, representing 18 different schools and colleges throughout the East Midlands.
The evening included two inspirational presentations on careers for chemists, Rob Bowles from the Royal Society of Chemistry presented his talk entitled “Why Chemistry ?” outlining the myriad of opportunities available to chemists, followed by an entertaining talk given by a Medicinal Chemist at AstraZeneca outlining the career path she has taken to reach her current position.
During the evening the students, teachers and parents took advantage of the opportunity to speak to real chemists from a variety of local employers about career opportunities leading on from a degree in chemistry or the chemical sciences. The diversity of these careers was demonstrated by representatives from companies such as the more traditional laboratory type, for example 3M, Innovata, Severn Trent and Boots to companies such as Samworths, Pera and the Leicester Forensic Science Department. Along side these company stands representatives from other important organisations such as the RSC and COGENT took part to give advice on local industry and careers.
In addition staff attended the event from six East Midlands universities, including De Montfort University, University of Leicester, University of Lincoln, Loughborough University, University of Nottingham, and Nottingham Trent University. They were on hand to answer questions on HE chemistry, or chemistry related courses available to students along with student ambassadors who were able to talk about life at university as a chemistry student.
Finally the host AstraZeneca took students on a tour of some of their state of the art facilities, an opportunity for students to see first hand ‘chemistry at work’ in a real life setting.
The evening finished with a prize draw with one lucky winner, Sam from Arnold Hill school, taking home a brand new ipod nano and the second prize of a £10 gift voucher going to Jamie from King Edward VII School.
In addition to the main careers event AstraZeneca hosted a VIP evening for invited guests from the universities and organisations with an interest in science, widening participation and the promotion of STEM subjects. This allowed the visitors the opportunity to hear about and experience the project work being undertaken to promote strategically important and vulnerable subjects and was a chance for all to look to future opportunities for collaboration.
The evening was a great success and feedback from the event was very positive and when the students were asked what they liked most about the event comments included:
“The tour of the large scale plant and the walking around the stalls and learning about chemistry in industry”
“I liked talking to the universities and finding out what jobs and courses are available in science.”
“The fact that you can ask people questions and that they are happy to answer”
“Really enjoyed the day, helped me focus on possible career paths and opportunities”
“Very informative as well as interesting, helped to apply our school work to real life”
“Generally how the whole event was set up, especially the lectures”
Special thanks must go to all the companies, organisations and universities involved for taking part and to the industrial host AstraZeneca who made this event possible.
Schools and colleges that participated include: Arnold Hill School, Bosworth College, Branston Community College, Burleigh College, De Lisle College, Gateway Sixth Form College, Harry Carlton School, Heanor Gate Science College, John Cleveland College, King Edward VII (Coalville), King Edward VII (Melton ), Leicester College, Loughborough Grammar School, Our Lady's Convent School, Rawlins Community College, Regent College, St Georges College, and Wreake Valley Community College.