Harriet Field
Device Development Scientist Apprentice at Pfizer UK
Make sure you find a subject you're passionate about because being eager to learn is just as valuable if not more than having experience. I'd recommend doing your own research on the subject and the company you're interested to show off your knowledge and your level of interest.
About Harriet...
Who am I?
"I think the personality trait from my quiz that I match with most with is the explorer because I like understanding why things happen and often find myself curious and wanting to find more out about different topics I study at university and learn from the on the job part of my apprenticeship. I also think I match well with the communicator because one of my favourite parts of working in industry is being able to work with and meet different people. "
What do I do?
"I'm an apprentice so during the academic year (from September to May) I attend the University of Greenwich one day a week for lectures & tutorials. Alongside this I work at Pfizer in the Device Development Team which involves testing medical dfevices. Medical devices can include syringes, pens (like epi pens), wearables (like insulin pumps), inhalers (like asthma inhalers) and others. Our main focus is to test devices to understand why they sometimes don't work the way we expect. "
How did I get here?
"After GCSEs I was specifically interested in Maths, Chemistry and Biology, so I chose to continue with these subjects at A level (although they weren't my best subjects). I found A levels much harder as I wasn't used to the volume of work expected and found it a huge jump from GCSEs. My cousins had worked on yachts so I decided to complete an STCW course and got a job on a yacht as a stewardess. After a couple of years I realised this wasn't for me and decided I wanted to go back to academia, but knew I'd struggled coping with it during A levels. A friend suggested I look into apprenticeships and the rest is history! I've found my apprenticeship great so far and I think having colleagues that are subject matter experts surrounding me has really helped me excel in my degree. "
The life I live
"In my spare time I enjoy running, reading, climbing, going to the gym, knitting, cooking and being social. I don't do any of my hobbies competitively but I like pushing myself to try new things!"
My typical day
"I spend my time between my desk looking at data that's been generated either by me or others across the business and in the lab completing testing."
My qualifications
"AS level - Psychology, A level - Maths, Chemistry and Biology. EPQ. Currently studying towards a BSc Chemistry with Hons, included as part of the Laboratory Scientist Level 6 standard. "