May 4, 2021, by indybamra1
3 Unique Ways To Find a Job in the Life Sciences Industry
By Shelley Ashenden, Senior Careers Adviser
It is believed that the pandemic has had a severe impact on many areas of the economy. While true in some cases, some industries have only seen marginal losses and others have grown their turnover in the last year.
These resilient industries include healthcare and life sciences-related sectors. According to the Office for National Statistics, “industries related to pharmaceuticals saw higher turnover in March to December 2020 compared with the same months of 2019. Turnover grew by 19.4% in the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations industry, and by 13.5% in the wholesale of pharmaceutical goods industry.”
Even before Covid-19, the UK life sciences industry was identified as a “significant and growing sector”. The pandemic has further highlighted how crucial the life sciences sector has been in the fight against the virus, particularly its ability to adapt to technology and digitalisation. It is predicted that these sectors will continue to see growth as the country emerges from lockdown and the economy recovers.
With the establishment of the National Institute for Health Protection, combining several public health departments later this year, and an estimated 10 million people now waiting for surgical procedures in the UK, the health sector will continue to experience a high workforce demand.
As a soon-to-be graduate entering the job market, how can you keep up to date with sector developments? Here are our top three tips for life sciences students who want to understand what is happening in the industry and where the opportunities might lie in the coming months.
1. Keep up-to-date with the latest news
Watch the news and read newspapers to keep up-to-date with current developments. Developments and opportunities are occurring all the time, such as direct patient care, health monitoring apps, patient wearables and the development of novel cellular immunity tests.
Where are government funding being directed and contracts awarded? What policy papers have been released and what new initiatives are being created? Identify which employers are involved in these projects and you may find additional opportunities in these newly funded areas.
2. Keep an eye on industry social media and websites
Keep an eye on the social media accounts and websites of industry and professional bodies. Organisations like the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry regularly publish reports, press releases and articles that will keep you up to date with industry developments; for example, news regarding the growth in cell and gene therapy and stem cell research. These organisations can also provide a good source of employer information.
3. Keep a check on online job boards
Keep a regular check on online job boards to monitor the type of roles that are advertised and to see which employers are recruiting. Websites such as LinkedIn, NHS Jobs, Indeed and other search engines are all good ports of call. Of course, many employers contact the University directly with their opportunities so don’t forget to access the vacancies on MyCareer.
Entering the job market can be challenging upon graduation and entering during a pandemic even more so. That said, there are opportunities to apply for and you’re not alone! Start with reading our resources on the life sciences sector. Check out our Graduating in … webpages which are filled with a wealth of resources. You could also consider booking an appointment with a careers adviser.
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