This grad scheme has offered me many new opportunities and experiences.  From meeting some of the top chemists in the country to getting breakfast cereal to follow a magnet, you never know what new projects you might be working on!  My favourite thing I have done so far has to have been working at the “Science and the General Election” debate at Portcullis House in Parliament.  Delicious buffet aside, this event was great not just in terms of the experience but also the atmosphere and its potential impact.

Each of the major political parties sent a representative (Adam Afriyie of Conservative Party, Lord Drayson of the Labour Party and Dr Evan Harris of Liberal Democrats) who gave their opening 5 minute pitches and then the floor was open to discussion.   As somebody who is pretty oblivious to the world of politics, I found it really interesting and informative.  There was the usual to-ing and fro-ing of political point scoring but some really important issues were discussed and real sense of each party’s position given.  It even inspired me to register to vote in the UK for the first time!

If you want to see what the evening was like, and possibly catch a glimpse of me running around with the roaming mic, the video is still online at http://www.rsc.org/ScienceAndTechnology/Parliament/Events/2010Election.asp

Brigid is a Graduate working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Science, Education and Industry Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email