I thought I would start writing down some of my thoughts and ideas which have led to many discussions between myself and my friends over the years regarding academia, being a woman in STEM, and working in a research lab. Along with this I thought I would share my reflections of life as a postdoc as I figure out where I would like to take this career of mine, so I thought I’d bring you along for the journey.

To begin with I thought I’d introduce myself. ish. I don’t know yet how much of myself I would like out on the internet. I am a Dr of Chemistry at a lovely northern university, where I have recently began my second postdoc position in organometallic chemistry. I did my first postdoc at another northern university and my BSc, MSc and PhD at another – apparently I like it up here.

However that wasn’t always the plan.

Like many compassionate students that express an interest in science I originally wanted to study Medicine. Incidentally it turns out many of my fellow medicinal chemistry coursemates did too. The plan was to be a surgeon because I loved the practical side of science and the idea that I was making a difference – it turns out I was just looking in the wrong place for it.

I applied to my chosen 4 universities, sat the entrance exams, did the voluntary work and didn’t get an interview anywhere. I then used my 5th and final option and decided to do Medicinal Chemistry, with the thinking that I loved chemistry at school and it would be a good stepping stone for when I tried again. Despite loving my Chemistry degree I couldn’t shake the disappointment of not getting into Medicine, so I applied again during the final year of my BSc. Along with my exams, lab reports and final project report I was sitting my BMAT, the GAMSAT and the UKCAT – and once again, I didn’t get into Medicine.

So I had a long hard look in the mirror and decided the reasons I was choosing Medicine, the problem solving, the practical hands-on approach, the discussion, the communication, the research, the compassion, were all that I could be experiencing through a number of scientific routes, I just needed to open my eyes and explore them. And that’s what I did. So yes I am still a Doctor, just instead a PhD, not an MD.

After my many years of training and being at a university in some way or another for 10 years this October, I’ve started to think about what I want to do next on this accidental career journey and start making it more intentional for me and what I want from life. So let’s see where we end up…