Why University Was the Right Choice for Me to Pursue Chemistry

At such a time of rising costs of living and changing circumstances around the globe, I thought it was important to explain to future students why I think university was the right choice for me and to talk about my journey. Ultimately, thanks to the hard work I put in, the University of Lincoln led me to my full-time job working as a Formulation Design Technologist at Unilever; a global consumer goods company leading the space in making sustainable living commonplace.

Back when I was 18, I had no clue which university to go to, or even if I wanted to go to university! I knew from a very young age that I really enjoyed solving puzzles and problems but could never really understand how to solve them in a real-life situation. I also knew that when I was older, I wanted to work in a lab, but wasn’t sure what this would finally look like, and found this, honestly quite daunting.

I began looking at apprenticeships that pay for your degree because this seemed the best way to get experience and get into a job and start earning. However, I quickly realised there were not that many opportunities around me that were laboratory-based, so I decided university was the only option for me to pursue Chemistry. Initially, I wanted to go to the University of Brighton to study Chemistry. However, I changed my mind at the last minute and applied to Lincoln’s MChem programme through UCAS clearing not expecting to get a place, but I did!

I fondly remember that Lincoln stood out to me, particularly the School of Chemistry for their pioneering professional practice programs, where I could get industrial experience whilst I was studying. This was sort of what I was initially looking for with the apprenticeship schemes to get my foot in the door.

I had extremely low self-confidence in my abilities in 1st year and even 2nd year, but I proved to myself that by working hard and getting ahead I could do well! 3rd year came round ridiculously quickly, (and I mean very fast looking back on it now) and the dreaded applications for industrial placements started thick and fast. Again, I chose not to believe in myself, but when I had an interview in the October of 2019, I was shocked. I’d barely started 3rd year and there was already an employer who was thinking of hiring me! Again, this was because of the industrial experience. I gained through the professional practice course!

Just before the first lockdown, I secured my Industrial Placement with a small pharmaceutical company in North Wales! Albeit, not for the company that offered me my first interview, as this didn’t go to plan, and I was very nervous.

In the 4th and final year of my MChem programme, I completed my industrial placement while studying full time, (my course was structured this way from the beginning to roll off straight into a job). This time, I chose to believe in myself and flourished as a result.

Now I’m working for Unilever! There were so many ups and downs as part of my university experience, but if I had the opportunity to go back to the start and start again, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. The University of Lincoln brought out the best in me and helped me see the person I am today. It was a fantastic life-changing experience!