Katherine Dixon

"I am the Head of Technical Services, managing the team of technicians who support the teaching and research staff at a large university.I am friendly, which suits my role as it is all about working with people which I find fascinating. I am also persistent and organised and really enjoy matching people and their skillsets to the job that needs doing by working out what makes people ‘tick’ and putting them in situations where they can thrive and deliver. Being the ‘Coach’ and ‘Trainer’ types makes me very good at that. My role also draws on the ‘Innovator’ type as it involves looking to the future, recognising where technology is going and making sure the workforce is skilled in using emerging technology."

"I am the Head of Technical Services, managing the team of technicians who support the teaching and research staff at a large university.I manage a team of 250 people. I am responsible for ensuring there are enough expertly trained Technicians to support the specialist labs, workshops, studios and theatres needed to deliver the teaching and research being carried out. I am involved in recruiting new technicians - it is very exciting to find just the right candidate for the role. I love seeing a team glue together and start to work well with a new person on board, generating results and actions.Day-to-day, my work involves meeting with lots of people from across the organisation, such as Human Resources, Finance, Technical Managers, IT, Health and Safety, and academic colleagues. They work on plans and problems together to find ways to give the best education to the students and provide opportunities for the researchers to develop their work. The best bit is when a plan comes together such as a new building or refurbished area, or I can see students doing well because of the help and support the Technical Staff have provided. "

"I always knew that to be happy in her job I would need to be able to link my work with trying to make the world a better place. At university I studied for a degree followed by a master’s in Molecular Biology relating to plant pathogen interactions. After that I worked with genetically modified crops to try to develop crops that could feed the world. My starting salary was about £18,000. While I was working as a technician, I met a girl who was doing a PhD. I found out that the girl was from a normal comprehensive school just like me. This helped me to realise that you don't have to go to a posh school to get a PhD, anyone can do it if they work hard. So, I did just that! During my PhD, I worked in an amazing lab and learnt things like how to use an electron microscope. In the long run, I realised that I loved being involved in education. I think education changes lives and the world for the better, and this has been a huge motivator for me."

"In her spare time, I love spending time with my kids. With my work, I regularly travel to other universities around the UK. I love my job so much that in the future I would love to see myself working there for as long as possible! "

"My typical day might involve meeting with colleagues who are designing a new building and thinking and planning the new labs and workshops inside the new building. Or I might be interviewing new staff who might join my team. Often I meet with academic colleagues who are engaged in research and we work together to find solutions to problems and help them to advance their research. Some of my day is usually spent writing reports or e-mails. Quite often I get out and about visiting other Universities and companies to learn about new equipment or ventures."

"I took 8 O levels in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, English Lan and English Lit, Geography, Music then I took A levels in Biology and Chemistry followed by a Bsc (Hons) degree a masters degree and a PhD. I worked in industry for a while and at Manchester University before taking on my most recent role at Manchester Metropolitan University."