Preparing for Science Careers Outside the Lab

Do you study a science-based degree and are interested in what different career paths you can go down that don’t involve working in a lab?  

Join us on Monday 10 March at Science Careers Outside the Lab for the perfect opportunity to speak to employers and find out more about the opportunities that lie outside of the lab. 

Here are a few tips to help you make the most out of the event!  

Do your research 

• Research the organisations who are attending the event, even for those that you’ve never heard of. You might be surprised what appeals to you!  

• Look on company websites, or look up exhibitors attending the event on LinkedIn 

• Make a list of employers you’d like to speak to at the event and prioritise  

Prepare questions  

It’s always good to ask questions when you meet contacts. To help you get started, here are some questions you could think about asking.  

About the career  

• Why did you apply for this role?  

• What was your route into the company (e.g. from university)?  

• What skills or qualities are important for this position?  

• What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your job? How has this career field changed since the time you started in it?  

• What does a typical day look like?  

• What is the working environment and culture like? 

About your suitability for the career 

• Are there things I could do to strengthen my chances?  

• What other skills beyond my degree are you looking for?  

• What advice would you have for someone like me who is considering this field 

About resources, opportunities and further contacts  

• Are there any professional associations I should look into?  

• Are there any specialist publications I should read? 

• Does your organisation offer any work shadowing, internship or project opportunities that would allow me to broaden my experience?  

• Could you recommend anyone else for me to talk to? 

On the day

• Introduce yourself to exhibitors, make eye contact and smile!  

• Bring a pen and paper to make notes.  

• Ask for contact details or a business card from exhibitors you’ve enjoyed talking to 

After the event 

• Reflect– Did any companies interest you in particular?  

• Send a follow up email to exhibitors you spoke to in order to thank them for their time/ask for further information. A simple follow up conversation with an employer you’ve spoken with could result in work experience, or even a job opportunity.  

• Add relevant contacts on LinkedIn and follow the companies on social media 

• Refer to the event when applying or contacting the company in future- it looks impressive if you’ve spoken to people who work at a particular organisation when writing job applications, as it shows you’ve done your research. 
  

Register your interest now, good luck and we look forward to seeing you there!