What was your first job after graduating?

By the final year of my course, like many of my fellow students, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do upon graduation. But I knew that I didn’t want to work in a lab.

Part of the problem for me was that beyond lab work, further academic research and medical writing, I wasn’t sure what job roles were out there for someone with a Life Sciences background.

Because of this, I attended a job fair run by the Faculty of Science and Engineering. There I met a company who specialised in recruiting in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. After the fair, I approached them to ask if they were looking for someone to join their company at the entry level.

After an interview, I was offered a Talent Resourcer position, which I started ten days after finishing my final year exams.

What is your current role?

I am currently an Associate Manager and I manage a number of Adelphi Real World’s proprietary rare Disease Specific Programmes (TM). I started working for Adelphi Real World as an entry-level Research Associate, then I progressed to become a Programme Executive before being promoted to my current position.

The studies that we undertake provide clients with data that shows how rare diseases are being treated and managed in real-world settings.

My main responsibilities include the management of projects from design to delivery, coaching and training junior team members, client management to ensure all information requirements are met, the development and execution of analysis plans and the management of team workloads to ensure that there is adequate capacity to successfully meet deadlines.

Outside the course teaching, what other opportunities did you get involved with during your time at Manchester Met?

I was the Course Representative for my cohort and in my final year, I worked towards and attained the Futures Award. Both of these experiences enabled me to work on my team working skills, especially because listening to other’s viewpoints, discussing opinions with Faculty members and trying to find resolutions were all part of my role as a Course Representative.

What are your greatest achievements so far?

Our company recently introduced awards to recognise those who embody the company’s values. At the inaugural event, I won an award for demonstrating drive and passion. I was very proud of this achievement, as colleagues vote for the awards, so to be recognised was humbling.

I have also been an author on multiple abstracts and presented posters at the scientific congress, and I am currently working on two manuscript submissions to journals.

Another achievement was being invited to co-lead the development of a training programme for new starters and leading the company’s diversity and inclusion meetings.

What does diversity in Life Sciences mean to you?

My experience is that people want to be able to see themselves represented in their leadership. If there is a role model who has previously succeeded, it gives hope to others that they can do the same.

Being a woman of colour in a same sex relationship, I am a minority within my chosen field. I am openly out and while my colleagues are exceptionally supportive, my ethnicity and sexuality have never been factors that have defined me. However, I am conscious that I am a potential role model for those looking to enter the industry.

Diversity is crucial as it brings a variety of experiences and perspectives to a discussion. By being more diverse, we enrich the conversation.

I think it so important that we make people aware of the breadth of career options available to them within the life sciences industry, and this in turn leads to a more diverse applicant pool and a more diverse industry overall.

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