Here to provide you with the tools to build a successful career

Share this |

Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linked More...

Latest Posts

In the new year we are looking at running some online Q and A sessions where you will be able to log in and ask me questions on certain themes each month.  These might include general themes such as applications and CV's as well as some more specific topics like getting into academia or dealing with redundancy.  I will be there to reply and advise, but it is also your opportunity to share your experiences with other members and input on the discussion.

The aim would be to run sessions during the day and in the evening so that as many of you can participate as possible.

To ensure we cover the topics or questions you want to discuss please drop me a line at careers@rsc.org or post a note under this blog with your ideas and we will endeavour to run a session on this topic. 

I look forward to hearing your ideas.
Posted by Laura Woodward on Dec 10, 2012 11:34 AM GMT
Are you an early-stage researcher (including Masters/PhD students and post-docs)? Would you like the opportunity to present your work to VIPs at the House of Commons? Then, why not apply for the 2013 SET for Britain competition?


SET for Britain is an annual poster competition supported by the RSC along with other learned societies. The event aims to encourage and promote early-career scientists and engineers, as well as raising the profile of science and engineering within the Houses of Parliament.


Prizes are awarded in each scientific discipline for posters which best communicate high level science to a lay audience. Finalists will have the opportunity to present their research at the House of Commons Marquee on 18 March 2013.


The closing date for entries is Monday 24 December 2012. To apply: complete the online application form, upload a full abstract of the poster and include a letter of reference. Full details can be found on the website: http://www.setforbritain.org.uk.
Posted by Charlotte Ashley-Roberts on Dec 4, 2012 2:52 PM GMT
Morning folks,

Although today I am in Wales on our final day of our final careers hub of the year I spent the first four days of this week in Manchester. I learnt some interesting things about the local area that might be useful to you.

1. Local job sites:

www.mymanchesterjobs.co.uk
www.northwestjobs.co.uk - this has a graduate section
www.graduateadvantage.co.uk - vacancy information all the way to Staffordshire
www.northwestworkplace.com

2. Local newspapers

Manchester Evening News
Liverpool Post and Echo
The Bolton News
Stockpost Express
The Chester Chronicle

3. The Chemicals Industry

The North West is the largest centre for chemical manufacturing in the UK. 650 businesses are based there, employing 50,000 people directly with 60% of the world's top 50 companies in the region including:

Unilever (www.unilever.co.uk/careers)
PZ Cussons (www.pzcussons.com/pzc/working)
Brunner Mond (www.brunnermond.com/employment.aspx)
BASF (http://www.basf.com/group/careers/index)
Croda (http://www.croda.com/home.aspx?s=1&r=234)
Shell UK (www.shell.co.uk/home/content/gbr/aboutshell/careers)
Chemicals Northwest (a not for profit organisation who hold regional networking events

This information was kindly provided by Manchester Metropolitan University Careers Service www.mmu.ac.uk/careers

I also was singing the praises of the Manchester University Careers Service and their excellent blog and right on cue they produced another about the NHS Scientist Training Scheme
Posted by Charlotte Ashley-Roberts on Nov 30, 2012 9:02 AM GMT
I thought I would blog about a few new things we are working on in the Careers team at the moment.

The first thing that is new is that I'm back from having a year off on maternity leave.  Well when I say it has been a year 'off' it might be the case that I haven't been commuting, working regular hours or having to use my brain in quite the same way, but I have certainly learnt lots of new skills.  I would have described myself as quite a good multi-tasker before but I'm even better now!  That aside, I can genuinely say I have improved my networking skills (I have turned up to lots of groups not knowing anyone, and in turn have made some great friends) and my ability to prioritise has improved.  You soon learn what can wait.

With my return to work I have changed my hours slightly and will now be working part time.  Rather excitingly we are also piloting an expansion of the service.  I'm pleased to say that we will now be able to offer telephone consultations in the evenings.  Hopefully this will suit those of you who are working and don't have time or are unable to have a detailed chat with us in the day. 

the 45 minute consultations are available to all members and can be booked by emailing careers@rsc.org and can be booked for Tuesdays and Thursdays between 19.00 and 20.30.  Of course you can still book telephone consultations during the day, as well as visiting us in person in Cambridge or London.

We are in the process of arranging the Hubs for 2013 so look out for emails in the new year when we may be coming to a town near you.
Posted by Laura Woodward on Nov 27, 2012 9:31 AM GMT
I thought I would pass on this information which has been sent on behalf of Professor Alison Rodger, University of Warwick, about a training initiative for early career researchers.  
 
Dear Early career researcher (especially female post docs)
 
Following the very successful October conference targeted at female postdocs wanting an independent career in chemistry (with the handful of brave men who came really helping make the event work), we shall be running a training course entitled 
 
"Women in Science and the Media: Communication & Impact for Female Early Career Researchers".
 
This innovative course will use science media to help postdocs improve their ability to communicate with different audiences, from other researchers and grant reviewers to journalists and members of the public. It focuses on the barriers facing female scientists in their careers and how developing effective presentation skills and personal impact can help. The course analyses the media portrayal of female scientists and how it can be challenged. The course involves hands-on radio and TV production and culminates in a recording session in a radio studio at the BBC's Broadcasting House. 
It will take place at Cumberland Lodge in the dark days of January (4–6). Most of the content will be relevant to both men an women but we have titled it like this to make the point that we shall particularly be considering the way women do and don't communicate effectively. It will be targeted at female post doctoral researchers but not excluding men or young academics and fellows. More details can be found at: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wcas/events/communicationandimpact. Unfortunately, unlike the October conference it is not free but we do have some funding to cover some or all of the course delivery part of the cost for those who do not have a local funding mechanism. We require a small grant application for individuals to be able to benefit from this—which is also good experience.
If you have any further questions, please email Professor Alison Rodger at a.rodger@warwick.ac.uk.
 
Posted by Charlotte Ashley-Roberts on Nov 20, 2012 12:12 PM GMT

The Sir Eric Rideal Trust annually offers financial assistance to promising PhD or postdoctoral researchers in the general field of colloid and surface science to attend conferences and/or to visit relevant research
institutions. Awards of up to £400 will be made, on a competitive basis, to assist with travel, subsistence or conference registration.

Closing Dates for Applications: 15 October. For more information and to apply, go to: www.soci.org/rideal-bursary

Posted by Charlotte Ashley-Roberts on Sep 21, 2012 9:19 AM BST
There are still a few places left at the RSC Applied Catalysis Group one-day meeting about Careers in Catalysis at Imperial College on Wednesday 26-September-2012.

This is a joint event between the RSC & the IChemE aimed at research students & early year industrial chemists working on catalysis.   Various speakers at different stages in their careers will discuss their experiences, and the types of technical challenges they see in catalysis.  There will also be students poster/discussion sessions  so this is a great opportunity to showcase your work & develop your networks.

Registration is free but compulsory.  Full details are in the "Events" section of the ACG webpage.

Posted by Charlotte Ashley-Roberts on Sep 14, 2012 9:20 AM BST
Being motivated is easy, staying motivated however is a little more tricky. Do you find you are easily distracted? I do.

This week I am trialling working from home and so far am 36 minutes in. I have gone through my inbox and know what I need to answer and what can wait. I have thought of a blog post and have my activities planned for the rest of the day. So far, I am feeling productive. The question is, can I maintain it?

During consultations I find there are two things that people suffer from when they are searching for jobs: lack of self confidence and difficulty in staying motivated. This is because it seems easy when you first get started as it's all exciting and new but when you are faced with a seemingly never ending string of rejection letters, or worse still a deafening silence when it comes to your applications, it is easy to lose heart. I find that some people are overwhelmed with how and where to look for jobs and so put it off, they can always do it tomorrow, right? The problem is that tomorrow never arrives.
more...
Posted by Charlotte Ashley-Roberts on Sep 11, 2012 8:58 AM BST
It's been a little while since I did my year in industry but I remember wondering if it was worth it. My tutor at the time sat me down and went through the benefits and looking back I can see he was absolutely right. For me the benefits were:

1. earning money...2 years on a student loan made my salary of £11k feel like a £million
2. learning that I could do research. Albeit that it took a few months to get my confidence
3. being immersed in company culture. It is very different from being at uni
4. making contacts I still keep in touch with now, nearly 10 years on!

It was a really valuable experience for me which gave me motivation and drive to finish my final year when I returned to uni. I also believe it helped me get a job once I graduated as I had a whole year of experience in a commercial environment.

If you are thinking about doing a year in industry (if it is available at your institution) then I would highly recommend it. If you want to find out more you can talk to your tutor(s), fellow students who have done it or have a look on this site.

Additionally, on the 8th October we will be having a live chat at ChemCareers on the benefits. If you have done a year in industry and want to share your experience you are very welcome to come along and pass on your knowledge and experiences (good and bad).
Posted by Charlotte Ashley-Roberts on Sep 5, 2012 8:54 AM BST
I am always on the look out for things to help you find a new job. Interesting yesterday I read a blog post which does just that! Check it out, it's for the US but some of the things will be relevant to the UK and also anything which makes you think about your career is a good thing.
http://www.careerrocketeer.com/2012/08/4-new-job-search-tools-to-check-out-in-2012.html
Posted by Charlotte Ashley-Roberts on Aug 21, 2012 9:49 AM BST
< Prev    1 2 3