I decided to take the Biomedical Science course at Newcastle University as it offered a wide scope of subject matter from human diseases to molecular biology. Not having a set career plan in mind this course gave a good medical background to take forward into industry. The social side of Newcastle was also appealing and together with the excellent teaching facilities, student life made attending university a great experience all round. During the second year of the course I undertook a module in reproduction, which I thoroughly enjoyed and made me consider what kind of career I would enjoy. I spend my third year dissertation looking into pregnancy implantation and found that I really enjoyed lab work and the responsibility of conducting my own experiments. I graduated in 2005 with a first class honours degree with no set plan so I decided to enjoy the summer before pursuing a career.

Having enjoyed the reproduction module and then my project I did lots of research into how I could use this in a career. I discovered clinical embryology and decided to investigate if this was the right path. I managed with a lot of determination to secure two short work experience posts and realised this was a very exciting field that I wished to be part of. I had a long wait while training positions became available and during this time I worked in retail, which did help me ease back into having a job after a hectic student life. I secured my trainee embryologist position at an IVF clinic in March 2006.

My job involves working with patients to achieve pregnancy through assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF and ICSI. The role involves patient contact as well as lab work so every day is different and it is very rewarding to follow cases through. The other aspects of the role include sperm analysis, embryo freezing and media preparation. As well as my job training I am undertaking the ACE certificate, which is a series of questions, essays and training evidence, which enables you to be recognised as an embryologist. I have only been in this field a couple of months but it is an advancing exciting and highly motivating career to be in. The field is continually expanding and there are an increasing number of master’s courses, which helps to break into the field, as it is initially difficult to stand out to employers. This route seems to be popular path however; I achieved my post through work experience and the determination I showed, taking the risk of covering a temporary contract and relocating in order to break into the field. Although the academic side of this career is very important, patient approach and a motivated caring manner are required, and an aspect prospective employers hold very important too.

For more information on this career www.ivf.net is a very useful informative website.

Amie Brunt