IBMS members promote biomedical science careers
Catherine Lorenzen, CSci FIBMS, and her colleagues Natalie Lloyd, Tom Collins and Amanda Carpenter promoted biomedical science careers at the NHS Educational Business Partnership Careers fair in Dover on 5th October. There they answered students’ questions about pathology departments, diagnostics in haematology, blood donation and blood transfusion services.
The scientists also talked about working within the health sector and provided fun activities for students, including:
- A chance to look at normal and leukaemia blood films under a microscope
- The opportunity to see a blood transport box with ‘fake’ blood, platelets and plasma
Catherine’s team additionally provided students with a bit of historical information about the NHS, including early pictures of labs when the NHS was beginning, as well as a recent NHS AFC pay scale to give an idea of potential earnings should they pursue a career with the NHS.
Event organiser John Tranter from Education Business Partnership National (EBP), commented: “The quality of conversations that I witnessed throughout the day was a testament to how instantly comfortable the students felt in your company and the wonderful effect the day undoubtedly had upon future aspirations.
…the general feeling was one of immense positivity as many young people seemed to discover a career pathway towards a potential role within the NHS and the Health & Social Care sector as a whole. With unemployment a fear for young people attempting to enter the workplace, having the chance to speak with you all and the positive influence it seemed to exert on the students’ general outlook and ambition, cannot be underestimated.”
Catherine said about the experience: “We helped show the students interested in science what a hugely rewarding and diverse career being a biomedical scientist is and the amount of ‘earning power’ a degree in BMS can bring you and the opportunities in the NHS that await you.”
The IBMS is pleased to have been a part of this fun event. If you are a professional looking to promote careers in biomedical science, read here about how to get involved.