Recognising industrial experience with Registered Scientist status

Samantha Heath RSci is a recent chemistry graduate from the University of York. She took a year in industry as part of her course and recently applied for Registered Scientist status to recognise the skills she developed in this year. She tells us how achieving RSci status has helped her career progression.

I decided to study chemistry at a higher level as I seemed to have a natural flair for science in school and I found it the most interesting out of biology, chemistry and physics. I chose to do an industrial placement as part of my degree as I thought it would broaden my horizons and make me more attractive to potential employers. Having already had some experience in academic labs, I felt that environment was not fast-paced enough for me personally, and I thought that industry would be a more challenging, and therefore more beneficial, path for me to take.

I applied to become a Registered Scientist as it is formal recognition of the work that I have completed over my time in industry. It is a complimentary acknowledgement of my work that can sit alongside my degree and be recognised by potential employers to further highlight how my interpersonal skills have improved.