Work experience

It is important to show universities that you have a personal enthusiasm for the molecular biosciences when you apply for a course. University admissions offices will look more favourably at applicants who have already completed some work experience in a field related to their subject – but placements for non-graduates can be thin on the ground.

Employers may be at first slow to commit to providing a placement, and there is often stiff competition for the best work experience placements. You must be professional with employers, speaking to them in person or by phone, and following up for replies if they do not get back to you.

Where to start

Speak to the teachers at your last school to see if you could approach any of their contacts at relevant companies.
Look online or in the Yellow Pages for relevant firms in your area and phone/write to them, directing your correspondence to either the 'Schools/Education Liaison Officer' or the 'Human Resources Department'
Visit the National Council for Work Experience website for more advice about things you can do.
Check with local universities for work in their science faculties.

Transferable skills table - here is a list of skills which are particularly appeaing to employers and can help when you are looking for work experience.

Useful links

Volunteering - find out where how you can volunteer for a range of organizations and events

Future Morph - free website giving information on careers in science, work experience, and more.

Nuffield science bursaries - these competitive bursaries give you the chance to earn money whilst working with a practicing scientist in professional environments over the summer holidays.

In2science - A charitable organization that provides placements for gifted A-level students from underprivileged backgrounds.

my-work-experience.com - highlights the benefits of work experience, and provides placements working at the United Nations in Geneva! Some content requires paid membership.

The Year in Industry - provides high quality, paid year-long placements in engineering, science, IT, e-commerce, business, marketing, finance, logistics and more.

Learn overseas ltd - a company that specialises in providing medical work placements in India.

Step into the NHS - register with this site for free to receive case studies, tips on finding work experience, and NHS work experience vacancies in your local area.

MRC summer studentships - a programme that offers A-level students the opportunity to learn first-hand about biological and clinical science by working in a cutting-edge research laboratory at the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre (CSC).

Engineering Development Trust - an education charity offering a range of schemes for placements, hands on activity days, and themed projects.

Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute - offers work experience placements for 14-19 year old students and undergraduates

GlaxoSmithKline - offers a limited number of highly competitive work experience placements, which involve working in a commercial lab environment.

The Natural History Museum - get a chance to work with the Museum's massive specimen collections, cataloguing, ordering, and restoring them by working as a volunteer.

BBC Jobs - interested in a job in science communication? Then this might just be the right place to check for a work experience placement. However, please note these placements, especialy science-related ones, are often highly sought after.