My first two months of the SEI Graduate Scheme have flown by – there has been so much to take
in! I am in my first rotation, working in the Science Team.
I finished my PhD in Archaeological Chemistry at the University of Bristol in January. Still undecided
between education and policy work, the RSC’s
SEI Graduate Scheme looked like a great place to try
both out... Two months in and I haven’t been disappointed.
My first rotation is with the Science Team, whose role is to promote chemistry in seven priority areas
relating to different
global challenges. Each Programme Manager is responsible for a “challenge”, such as agricultural productivity or bioenergy, and they organise events and write policy statements to help tackle these challenges. So far, I’ve had the chance to go to lots of talks and meetings in London, including a dinner in Portcullis House! You definitely get thrown in at the deep-end, but it’s a great learning experience and you get to work with lots of different teams across the RSC. Everyone is so friendly!
Before my rotation ends in a couple of months, I am organising the
Honorary Fellows lecture by Professors Suzuki and Negishi in the Chemistry Centre. This is a great chance to see how an event is run from start to finish – from agonising over the invite list to finalising the dinner menu! I am also writing about the research landscape in different countries, such as India and Japan, identifying areas where the RSC can help advance the chemistry needed to tackle some of these grand challenges.
Amy Styring 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
My first two months of the SEI Graduate Scheme have flown by – there has been so much to take 
