Laboratory Technician Review

I work in the biology department running a variety of assays including cell-based and biochemical assays and other experiments such as western blots, flow cytometry and proteome profiling all while culturing different cell lines for use in these assays. I also attend client meetings and write protocols, risk assessments and lab notebooks.

I have considerably developed my lab-based skills, while in biology I have become skilled at cell culture and sterile techniques. I have also learned to follow protocols and pick up experimental guidance quickly. I have greatly developed my presentation skills through the university and apprenticeship opportunities, such as poster presentation days.

I enjoy the variety of work I get to take part in and the support I receive from my colleagues, who are eager to be shadowed and train me in different work. I enjoyed the rotations through analytical science, pharmaceutical sciences/formulation sciences and biology as I got to experience a wide range of techniques and understand how each department engages in wider projects.

The rotations are structured well however there are limited department options in Harlow, with my interest being in biology I could not start until 2 years into my apprenticeship and had to focus on chemistry at first. I believe this has been resolved for future biology apprentices, with the chemistry based rotations now being 18 months.

I receive a lot of support from my manager and mentor within my department, as well as my colleagues who are not involved in the apprenticeship. At the beginning I received a lot more support from the staff who are involved in the apprentice scheme other than my manager, however this has decreased as I have become more independent and as the scheme has grown.

I have quarterly catch ups with my advisor from the university to make sure I am on track with my studies and project, and I find the academic mentors for each module are available and helpful with questions on assignments and the study guide. However it can be difficult to get hold of someone when there is a problem, especially IT related.

My qualification has given me the theory basis for my role. I found it difficult in the first 2 years as my studies did not relate to my role, since I was in a chemistry-based role and my degree is more biology-focused, but I can now apply what I learnt previously to my current role.

We often have team activities organised for the department and the site at Harlow, they provide food vans for us usually quarterly which helps staff morale (e.g. we recently had a crepe van for pancake day). The biology team also hold social events after work such as escape rooms or bowling.

Yes

The environment in Harlow is supportive and encourages growth and learning, I feel we are treated more like scientists as apprentices and are trusted to run project work alone and have meaningful contributions to project work. They give us plenty of training opportunities such as poster sessions, workshops (e.g. scientific writing) and journal clubs.

Be willing to try a variety of departments to decide which you like best and what career path you would like to take as they are flexible and will accommodate you where possible. Also don't be afraid to ask questions as they care about your learning and wellbeing in the workplace.