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I am just coming to the end of my first rotation as an SEI graduate at the RSC. I have spent the past 3 months working in Membership Sales which has involved visiting lots of universities and talking to students about the benefits of joining the RSC.

It has been a real baptism of fire into the working world! A lot of driving and training round the country, staying in hotels and early mornings to get through rush hour traffic to get to campuses far and wide! But I have had a great time and met a lot of lovely people on the road as well as learning so much about the RSC in such a short space of time.

Our visits usually involve arriving at the university around 8.30 in time to set up the stand before the first lecture at 9. We often get the opportunity at the start of lectures to talk briefly to students about why we are around and what we can offer them. At the stand we get people who are already members coming up for a chat as well as interested potential members.

As well as learning about the world of work I have been house-hunting and finally, after many weekends of searching, found one to buy. I cannot wait to stop doing my 80 minute commute into work!

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Alex Kersting 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

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As soon as I started my graduate job as a publishing editor, I realised I had landed on my feet at the RSC. 
I began work in the General Chemistry Team in October having completed a Masters degree in Natural Sciences. The General Chemistry Team deals with Chemical Communications and Chemical Science, which is great as the articles span all subject areas of the Chemical Sciences and tend to be of high impact.  I began training in proof reading to start with and, by the end of November, I was given permission to proof read without assistance and publish articles on the web.  At the moment, I am really enjoying learning to summarise  articles into keywords and, from these, find scientists suitable to contact for the peer review process.  Hopefully, I will be independent in this task in a few weeks as well.

Although a new recruit, I already feel part of the team because of the people and the opportunities there are to socialise outside work.  Since starting here, I’ve played badminton with other RSC staff every week.  Recently, I’ve organised a meal out for all the members of the General Chemistry team, (which I think was a success) and I’ve been to the RSC Christmas party and to the staff Christmas lunch organised by the RSC’s own Sports and Social Club.

I’ve found that I really enjoy the tasks the job has involved so far, such as writing to authors to answer their queries and keeping up with and learning more about the chemical sciences through reading submitted articles.  It seems I have landed on my feet here with a career that suits me.

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 Rowan Frame 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

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I have been to university, I have my degree – now what do i do?!

After finishing my degree in chemistry I decided I wanted to move on from the world of dirty lab coats and safety goggles. For me the RSC Graduate Scheme in Publishing was the way to go. Not only am I able to put the chemistry I know to good use, I am also able to learn about new and cutting-edge science.

In August I joined the Organic Applications team. It was all so daunting at first, but my team and everyone else I came in contact with made me feel so welcome. I started at the RSC on the same day as three other graduate scheme publishing editors. We all went through proof reading training together, which made starting the first stage of my training much more relaxed. Since then training has gone really well and after just four months I am now fully trained in both proof reading and editing.

A few weeks ago I began to embark on more in depth aspects of my training, such as peer review for Green Chemistry. I am finding this particular aspect very interesting and enjoyable. This month I have been involved with issue make up (Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, issue 1, 2012) and I find that it is really satisfying to take a set of individual manuscripts and compile them into an issue ready for print.

The job so far is varied and fascinating. I have enjoyed everything that I have done so far and I am looking forward to completing my training and taking on new challenges....I will let you know how I get on!

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Rachel 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