Dr Sarah Walker: Associate Lecturer at The University of Strathclyde
1. An insight into Sarah’s journey:
Since her school days, Sarah has always enjoyed chemistry. The variety in topics and practical work at school is what fascinated her. She particularly enjoys how the subject overlaps with both biology and physics, to explore multiple scientific theories and concepts and organic chemistry is the area of chemistry she is most interested in.
Upon the completion of high school, Sarah attended Durham University where she completed her Masters in Chemistry. During her final year Sarah attended a Spanish university where she conducted her final year research project. She explained this was an incredibility exciting experience as she was able to work in a new language, challenge herself and meet new people. This is an opportunity she is truly grateful for!
After graduating, Sarah became a quality control analyst for a few months where she gained experience within industry. She then went on to do some travelling and volunteering in Latin America which led her to Mexico where she later became a staff member for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Sarah was responsible for managing programmes that were attended by young girls from the likes of Latin America and Europe. How exciting! Additionally, she planned multiple projects and activities with community organisations.
Sarah decided to return to the UK with the same organisation working on managing projects and conferences in North, Central and South America, which provided more experience of working with people across the globe. She then decided to return to a chemistry based role so began researching her options and discovered the roles she was drawn to required a PhD. Sarah was successful in obtaining a PhD position and conducted research under Dr Ai-Lan Lee at Heriot Watt University. Afterwards, she completed a post-doctoral position at the University of Edinburgh. She thoroughly enjoyed the teaching aspect of the role which included conducting undergraduate tutorials and assisting with PhD student supervision.
As a result of enjoying the student interaction/teaching element of her post-doc, Sarah decided that she wanted to specialise in university teaching, which led her to her current role as an Associate Lecturer at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow!
2. Where is Sarah now:
Sarah has a variety of responsibilities within Strathclyde’s Chemistry Department. She is an extremely busy and dedicated woman! She teaches first and second year students’ organic chemistry and spectroscopy, co-leads the Industrial Placement Programme for fourth year students and the departmental employability agenda as well as assisting in undergraduate laboratory sessions. It is important to Sarah that students leave Strathclyde with not only excellent chemistry knowledge and practical skills, but also additional transferable skills and qualities that will help them to pursue their desired career path.
3. Why lecturing?:
Whilst working as a post-doctoral researcher, Sarah was responsible for holding tutorials for undergraduate students. This is where she discovered she had a passion for educating younger students through sharing her chemistry expertise. Sarah loves seeing students’ progress, achieve goals and succeed in their chosen careers.
4. What does a regular day look like as a lecturer?
No two days for Sarah are the same, however, some of Sarah’s daily tasks include:
· Answering students’ questions
· Preparing and presenting teaching material
· Supervising laboratory practicals
· Liaising with companies who partner with Strathclyde on the industrial placement scheme
· Assisting and advising students on applications for their industrial placement
· Writing assessment material
5. Why did you undertake a PhD?:
Four years after graduating with her Masters in Chemistry, Sarah was at a crossroads in her career. She had prior experience upon graduation working in industry, and wished to return to a chemistry based role. After a lot of careful consideration, Sarah decided that undergoing a PhD was the right step for progressing in her chemistry career.
6. Pros/cons of a PhD?:
The years in which an individual undertakes a PhD can be extremely challenging, but extremely rewarding. Sarah explained that the pros of a PhD definitely outweigh the cons!
Pros:
· Deepen your knowledge and become an expert in your chosen field
· Wide range of career opportunities
· Gain transferrable skills such as organisation, time management and problem solving
· Opportunities to meet multiple people with a range of research interests
· Fulfils intellectual satisfaction
Cons:
· Frustrating when it feels your research is not progressing
· Stressful when not producing results hoped for
· It is a long time to be working on a project so it is important to be interested in your subject and dedicated
7. Useful tips when applying for a PhD?:
· Talk to people!
o Gain an insight into what the institution is like
o Learn about different individuals’ experiences
o Build relationships with prospective supervisors and colleagues
· Do your research
o This will help to determine if the PhD topic is of interest to you
o See if the location/institution/prospective supervisor(s) is a good fit for you
o Fully decide if a PhD is the right next step
· Spend time perfecting your application
8. Benefits of studying/moving to other locations?:
Sarah’s fourth year of university spent in Spain provided her with many benefits and opportunities including:
· Encouraged her to be adaptable to different places of work
· Helped to build people skills as well as a variety of transferrable skills
· Improved her language skills
· Enabled personal growth
9. Top tips to succeed in your chemistry career?:
“Do not be afraid of stepping outside your comfort zone”
“Take advantage of opportunities”
“Find something you enjoy doing, don’t do something you think you should do”
“Be open to receive and ask for advice”
Big thank you to Sarah for the interview and helping me out with this project! I really appreciate it.
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