Steph Barnes

"Learning about my working preferences has been a great journey over the past few years of my early career - the 'Manager' type trait of encouraging discussion is definitely something I try to do by asking sometimes obvious questions that make the group think deeper. Similarly, I'm always trying to improve things or make things better - this links with the 'Quality Control' type from the quiz! I also matched with the 'Influencer' type; I'm that person that can take in all the detail and explain it back in a simplified form - this means I can introduce new complex ideas and get people to understand the need for change. I think these are all skills that are beneficial in the life sciences industry as research, discoveries and greater understanding pushes science forward. "

"I work to create materials and meetings to ensure that medicines that Pfizer discover, develop and test can get to the right patients at the right time. This involves organising big meetings where doctors, nurses, researchers and others talk about their experience or expertise with other healthcare professionals (HCPs). It also involves creating printed information or websites or promotional emails that tell HCPs about the medicines. I work on one brand of medicine but as part of a bigger marketing team that work on a few different ones that treat similar diseases. The starting salary for my job is ~£28k. "

"I got to my current role because I completed a placement year at Pfizer as part of my university course. I completed a placement year because I went to the University of Bath that offer placements as part of all of their university courses. I chose Biomedical Sciences as my university course because i thought I wanted to study Medicine but soon realised that i was more interested in the science than the practical side. I was able to study Biomedical Sciences because I took Biology, Chemistry, Maths and History at AS/A Level. "

"I'm one of those people that likes doing a lot of things all the time! And I like to give things a go. I'm a dedicated hockey player since starting at age 15 playing at a hockey club - I've continued to play throughout school and uni and have focused on enjoying the game and playing as part of a team. I'm by no means going to become a GB player but I love the small steps of progress I make at each training session and then can apply to the game. I love reading books, especially about people's real life experiences or adventures and I'm a keen cook and baker. I was also a university cheerleader which was an awesome experience, kind of based off my childhood gymnastics experience which I then reconnected with competing with my cheer squad. "

"I start my day by checking through my emails and creating a task list for the day. I also check my calendar for any meetings I might have - these might be workshops I'm running as part of encouraging more flexible working at Pfizer, quick chats or catch ups with colleagues I'm working with or larger team meetings where there will be a few presentations from different people. I fit in the task in between my meetings - these might include submitting a material to the approval system, watching a broadcast from the Global team or researching a specific patient group or disease. "

"A Levels: Biology, Chemistry, Maths (AS: History)BSc Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (4 years)"