My name is Joel and I currently work as a Technician in the College of Science at the University of Lincoln. I have worked here for over three years after obtaining a Forensic Science degree from the University. After finishing my degree, I saw a position advertising a role as a Technician Intern for a recent graduate to gain some laboratory experience and I thought that this would be an excellent opportunity to further my laboratory skills and knowledge after graduating.
Whilst studying, I had made certain presumptions about what laboratory technicians do and wasn’t sure initially that this would be the right move for me, but I was offered the position and thought that even if I discovered that this wasn’t the career for me that I would still gain some valuable experience and skills. I was surprised and really happy to find early on that my assumptions about being a laboratory technician were completely wrong and that the diversity of the role went far beyond what I had imagined. I was opened up to a wide range of scientific disciplines that I had not encountered before and thoroughly enjoyed developing new skills in these areas. Throughout my internship, I discovered a greater passion for chemistry than I had before and so when the opportunity arose to continue working at the University in a permanent role in the Schools of Chemistry and Pharmacy, I didn’t hesitate to take up the offer.
I now work on a diverse range of practicals from organic and analytical chemistry to pharmaceutical drug development. I use my forensic science knowledge to help teach crime scene science and assess mock crime scene investigations. I feel like a respected and valued member of not only the technical team, but in the Schools of Chemistry and Pharmacy also. I get extremely high job satisfaction from this role as I know that I have a positive effect on the student experience at the University and this for me, is the most rewarding part of the job.
Edit: The Technician behind this case study is no longer at the University of Lincoln, but we continue to celeberate good work by these Technician’s during their time here.