Time flies when you're having fun.
It's been more than seven months since I joined the
RSC Graduate Scheme. The transition from my PhD was fairly smooth – I was already here in Cambridge, so there was no panicked viewing of flats or hiring of vans.
It certainly doesn't feel like I've been here that long, although I concede that some time must have passed as I'm now almost fully trained (in peer review, proofing, database selection/abstracting and issue make-up, with editing training in full swing). In fact, in a few weeks I'm going to start training someone else...the student becomes the master.
I'm very much enjoying my involvement in the process of peer review, from the initial assessment of new submissions through referee reports to (with a following wind) acceptance, even though both authors and referees can occasionally try your patience. If there is one thing more satisfying than accepting a good paper, it's when the comments of an expert in the field reflect exactly what you said when you first looked at that manuscript.
Even though it's not yet Halloween, the festive season is looming fast, and therefore so is the annual Christmas bash. Reports from previous years suggest that fancy dress is taken rather seriously, so I'm expecting great things. I have eventually settled on an idea for my own costume, but that will of course remain a closely guarded secret until it's ready to be unveiled.
Mark Archibald is a Graduate working in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies go to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' Blog or subscribe to 'RSC: Latest Vacancies' by Email
Time flies when you're having fun.
