Authors:
Aimee Pinnington
(University of Salford)
,
Sara Namvar
Careers
A practical guide to biomedicine career planning
Authors:
Aimee Pinnington
(University of Salford), Sara Namvar
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: ReplicaPro-Light; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; color: rgb(10, 31, 41);">I completed my PhD in 2011 and followed this with seven years of postdoctoral research experience, all at the University of Manchester. My scientific research interests are primarily focused on the respiratory epithelium and airway scarring responses to inhaled allergens. <span style="color: rgb(10, 31, 41); font-family: ReplicaPro-Light; font-size: 1.125rem;">I joined the University of Salford in 2018 where I continue to develop my scientific research. Alongside this, I work to co-create projects with students with the view to build employability</span><span style="color: rgb(10, 31, 41); font-family: ReplicaPro-Light; font-size: 1.125rem;">. </span><span style="color: rgb(10, 31, 41); font-family: ReplicaPro-Light; font-size: 1.125rem;">My pedagogical research findings have been widely presented and led to two Times Higher Most Innovative Teacher of the year nominations and being shortlisted for this award in 2021. </span><span style="color: rgb(10, 31, 41); font-family: ReplicaPro-Light; font-size: 1.125rem;">I was appointed directorate lead for Student experience in 2021 and also lead the Biomedical Science programme.</span></p>
Pinnington, A. & Namvar, S.,
(2023) “A practical guide to biomedicine career planning”,
BioScientist: The Salford Biomedicine Society Magazine 1(2).
doi: https://doi.org/10.57898/biosci.142
Whilst at university it is vital that you start planning your career
as early as possible. The Biomedicine academic team have prepared some
guidance for you! ‘How to start planning your career’ will support you
in assessing where you are up to at this moment and also provide some
immediate steps you can take. ‘Building a strong CV whilst at
university’ is ideally suited to first and second year students who have
lots of time to get career savvy!
How to start planning
your career
Building a
strong CV whilst at university
Your priority must always be to achieve the best possible grades.
However, extracurricular activities help you build a vast range of
additional skills that not only build your CV and make you more
attractive to employers, but they also make you more confident and allow
you to have fun! It can be difficult to select appropriate activities
both (on and off campus) to suit your career of choice.
The table below is by no means exhaustive, but maps out recommended
activities to support your career of choice. In addition to these, the
library, SU and careers & enterprise team offer a huge range of
development opportunities. You may wish to become a student rep,
ambassador at open days or mentor, which will help with all careers.
Ultimately there is no right or wrong and the important thing is to get
involved! You must start drafting your CV from the first year and
continue developing it throughout your time at university.
Year 1-2
BMS careers
Join BMS careers mentoring group IBMS e-student
membership.
Engage with Biomedsoc activities e.g. book club, art and magazine
PassionFlash and outreach.
Students’ Union, community and NHS volunteering.
GEMMS-PA
Join GEMMS-PA mentoring scheme.
Engage with Biomedsoc activities e.g. book club, art and magazine
PassionFlash and outreach opportunities Community and NHS
volunteering.
Seek employment in caring positions Network and seek shadowing
Medicine/Dentistry applicants: Train for UKCAT/GAMSAT.
Research
Join the RCWG Attend seminars and journal clubs.
Engage with Biomedsoc magazine.
PassionFlash and outreach opportunities.
Join learned societies e.g. Physiological Society.
Teaching
Join the teaching mentoring scheme.
Engage with Biomedsoc activities e.g. book club, art and
magazine.
PassionFlash and engage with Biomedicine Outreach Team & SEE
public engagement activities.
Volunteer for open days, become a mentor through the Students’
Union, take up external mentoring/tutoring.
Placement year?
BMS careers
IBMS accredited placement strongly recommended.
Start building your CV early and network early!
GEMMS-PA
May add value - but not essential. if you decide to do one, a
clinical research project is recommended.
Research
A research placement either on or off campus strongly
recommended.
Start building your CV early and seek out opportunities.
Teaching
May add value - A teaching focused research project suggested.
Year 3
BMS careers
Continue with some activities from year 1 and 2 - perhaps taking a
leading role if possible.
GEMMS-PA
Continue with some activities.
Must have built strong record of experience and volunteering.
Shadowing highly desirable.
Research
Continue with some activities from year 1 and 2 - perhaps taking a
leading role if possible.
Teaching
Continue with some activities from year 1 and 2 - perhaps taking a
leading role if possible.
Next steps
BMS careers
Early career BMS/MLA.
May apply for NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP)
GEMMS-PA
2-year Msc physician associate studies
4/5 year medicine or dentistry degree
Research
MRes or PhD Industry lab
May apply for NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP)
Teaching
Postgraduate teacher training
Harvard-Style Citation
Pinnington,
A & Namvar,
S.
(2023) 'A practical guide to biomedicine career planning',
BioScientist: The Salford Biomedicine Society Magazine.
1(2)
doi: 10.57898/biosci.142
Pinnington,
A & Namvar,
S.
A practical guide to biomedicine career planning. BioScientist: The Salford Biomedicine Society Magazine. 2023 11;
1(2)
doi: 10.57898/biosci.142
Pinnington,
A
& Namvar,
S.
(2023, 11 22). A practical guide to biomedicine career planning.
BioScientist: The Salford Biomedicine Society Magazine
1(2)
doi: 10.57898/biosci.142
