What were your reasons for taking on a postgraduate degree?
After completing my Bachelor’s degree I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go straight into industry or if I wanted to further pursue academia in the form of a PhD. A postgraduate degree allowed me to further my education on subjects I was passionate about, while also giving me more time to consider if a PhD was right for me.
How did you make the decision to study at Strathclyde?
I studied at Strathclyde for my undergraduate degree and thoroughly enjoyed it, so it was an easy choice to return for the MSc. The course at Strathclyde was also well suited to my interests compared to other similar courses in the UK.
What do you like about your course and Strathclyde?
The university campus is in a great location, which allows for a good balance between uni work and a social life, and there are a wide variety of sports societies to choose from at Strathclyde. The teaching staff on my course were excellent and very supportive throughout my degree, and we had access to fantastic facilities for the technical parts of our learning, for example, the labs in the SIPBS building.
What specialist knowledge/professional skills have you developed whilst studying the course?
My course covered several aspects of biotechnology, ranging from using bioinformatics and synthetic biology in upstream development to engineering courses in downstream processing. Having such a wide range of knowledge put me in a great position when I started working in the industry. My course also included a 10-week industrial placement, and having that professional experience was incredibly valuable.
What are your ambitions for the future and how do you think your time at Strathclyde will help you achieve your goals?
I currently work for Merck at their Contract Testing Service site in Glasgow. This is a role that required me to have an excellent education in biotechnology, so my time at Strathclyde is already helping me to achieve my goals. My ambition is to continue to work in the biotechnology industry, a career I believe I will enjoy and certainly feel well-equipped for from my time at Strathclyde.
How have you found your time living in Glasgow and what's your favourite thing about the city?
I absolutely love living in Glasgow, the people are very friendly and it’s easy to get everywhere. It’s got a great nightlife with loads of bars and clubs, and there’s a great music scene. My favourite thing is definitely the pubs, they’re always good fun for socialising and a lot of them offer a good student discount.
Has anything surprised you about living/studying here?
I was surprised at how easy it was to meet people and make friends.
What do you do to relax in your spare time? Are you part of any clubs with the Students' Association?
When I was at Strathclyde, I was part of the University rugby club, which was a great way to socialise. In the sports clubs, there's usually a broad range of playing levels so whether it's your first time playing the sport or you're a competitive player it’s a great way to make friends and have a laugh. I also made good use of the gym facilities as they are excellent and very affordable for students.
Have you managed to explore anywhere outside of Glasgow?
Glasgow is very central so visiting Edinburgh for the day is really easy, which I like to do often. Loch Lomond is also relatively close and is great to visit when the weather is good.
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to study in Glasgow at Strathclyde?
Do it!
