Nearly five months into my time as an RSC graduate and I am thoroughly enjoying my time working in the Strategic & Commercial Partnerships team.
I joined the Royal Society of Chemistry at the beginning of March, with my first rotation in an area of which I had relatively little prior knowledge.
On day one, I was thrown straight into the deep- end by attending a team planning day; a brilliant chance to meet all of those that I would be working closely with over the next six months.
From managing a breakfast event for a number of trusts & foundations to writing application proposals for funding, my day-to-day work has thus far been very varied and very satisfying. The RSC expects graduates that are hired to undertake ‘real’ work with ‘real’ implications and although this can initially feel overwhelming, team- members, fellow-graduates and just about everyone else in the organisation are always willing to help!
Away from my team, there has been ample opportunity to get involved in many other events and learn more about the great work that is carried out by my colleagues. For example, I have volunteered for a number of our
Public Lectures held at the Chemistry Centre in Burlington House, worked at our fantastic
Meet the Universities event and written a book review to be printed in our monthly magazine
Chemistry World.
Cambridge is a city with which I was fairly unfamiliar prior to applying to the RSC but I have settled in brilliantly, thanks in no small part to the active Sports and Social Club. I have joined the squash ladder and also play football regularly. Not long ago, I had my first ever attempts at both bouldering (something that my arms were feeling for the following week) and sushi- making, and next week I am looking forward to taking on some of my fellow colleagues at go-karting!
Jonathan Wells is a Graduate currently working in the Strategic and Commercial Partnerships Team on the Royal Society of Chemistry's Graduate Scheme. To see if we are currently recruiting for the RSC Graduate Scheme click here