Natalie Ireland, Science Festival Coordinator, Centre for Life, Newcastle
I chose to study at Newcastle University as it has a great reputation, the city is amazing and the course I chose to do fit me perfectly. I went to secondary school in Scotland and knew I wanted to study a biology subject at University, but didn't feel I covered enough of the subject at school. I started a degree in Biological Science, where you cover common ground in the first year and specialise in second year. After the first year I chose to study Medical Microbiology and Immunology. In the summer of second year, you are advised to take a work placement in a laboratory or an area that you are interested in. I didn't really feel that I wanted to do this so I did Camp America for the summer, teaching kids how to swim and had the time of my life! I came back really knowing that I loved science, but I really liked working with people and did not wish to get into lab work or research. I graduated in 2002 with a 2:1.
After graduating, I really wanted to get into the area of science communication, and I felt the skills that I had picked up at University would really help me - completing work to deadlines, presenting work in various formats, presentations, speaking in front people, practical work (the third year project was excellent!) and a good scientific background.
Whilst looking for work experience or jobs in science communication, I got work through an agency with a pharmaceutical company. I was trained up for several months from packaging assistant to the lab technician where I helped to make pharmaceuticals. I couldn't find any science communication work experience and so they offered me a full time position with the prospect of management training. A rival company offered me a similar job, but I actually got offered a job at the Centre for Life in Newcastle as a Science Explainer. They really liked combination of the skills I had from University and the work experience I had from Camp America.
Being a Science Explainer was an excellent opportunity. I had to help develop workshops on a variety of subjects - from the science of chocolate to PCR - and teach them to students aged from 5 to 18! I also had to communicate with the public in the science centre and deliver science shows on a stage in front of 80 people. It was an excellent job and a great starting point.
I was then offered a job as Science Festival Coordinator, also at the Centre
for Life. It was not as hands-on, but it was a lot more responsibility and something
different. I am responsible for organising the Lecture
Series@Life and coordinating the activities for Newcastle Science Festival.
It is quite challenging, as I have to juggle a lot of jobs at once - I have
to organise the events at Life, put a programme together, arrange the marketing
material, co-ordinate various partners throughout the city and manage the budget.
I am really enjoying it and hopefully everything will run smoothly for the festival
next year. After that - goodness knows what I will be doing!
