As young people across the country receive exam and degree results, are they aware of the multiple pathways that can lead to careers in the life sciences sector? And are we equipping people with the range of skills they need to succeed?
Dr Sam Whitehouse and Professor Carrie Ambler, CEO and CSO at LightOx, share their insights on how industry and education can better connect to inspire the next generation of talent.
Learning by doing
“At a time when so many young people are planning their next steps in life, we need to acknowledge that, while university is one pathway into a career in life sciences, it’s not the only option,” says Sam Whitehouse.
“Now, there are so many more options open to young people entering the sector. Routes like degree apprenticeships give people hands-on experience of using what they learn, in the real world and also an insight into what it takes to run a company.
Sam compares applying academic knowledge to learning a language: “In academic learning, we often teach people the fundamentals, but not how to apply them. It’s like learning a language – you can memorise grammar rules, but until you use it in conversation, you don’t really know it.”
“There should also be more done to promote apprenticeships in small businesses,” adds Sam. “70% of our workforce are in small companies so we need to find ways to support these businesses to take on apprentices, otherwise we’re cutting off opportunity where it’s needed most.”
Carrie Ambler agrees, saying: “There needs to be a greater acceptance and appreciation that there are multiple ways to gain experience. Because we don’t all learn in the same way. Some people thrive in a traditional, university environment but others are more suited to the apprenticeship route.”
Carrie also suggests that another way of gaining useful industry knowledge can be through informal shadowing: “Be courageous and ask people about their work. Knock on the doors of people whose roles you’re interested in and ask to see what they do.”
Learning the business of science
While apprenticeships help bridge the gap between learning and doing, Sam believes that more can be done to equip people entering the industry with commercial skills and that one method is to encourage greater integration between academia and industry.
“We mustn’t forget to teach people how to commercialise what they’re learning,” he says.
“If someone within a university wants to spin out a company, have they been equipped with the skills they need to do that? You might have learnt the fundamentals of chemistry, for example, but have you learnt the business of chemistry?
“Businesses already operating in the life sciences sector have these skills and closer, early integration into this environment can help people to commercialise their knowledge. Certain institutions do this very, very well, but it’s not always the case in every learning environment.”
Emerging roles and the influence of AI
With recent research showing that 145,000 new hires will be needed in the UK life sciences sector by 2035, if the current pace of growth continues, how will these roles be shaped by advancements like AI?
“In the media, we hear a lot about AI and people being steered towards new roles in an increasingly digital world,”says Sam. “My opinion is that AI is a tool, in the same way that the internet is. And in sectors like life sciences and chemistry, it’s nothing new – we’ve been using molecular modelling for 30 years.”
Carrie adds: “If we’re going to use these tools effectively people still need to learn the fundamentals of science. Nothing has changed there, and critical thinking is always going to be needed.”
Helping young people see what’s possible
As the saying goes, ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’. So is enough being done to make young people aware of the vast range of careers in the life sciences sector?
“We need to educate young people about the huge variety of roles that exist and the skills they’ll need when they enter the workforce, like communication and negotiation skills, how to run a company, how to recruit people,” said Carrie.
Sam adds: “Take an A level student today. Do they know they could end up being a CEO of a pharmaceutical development company? Young people need exposure to the range of roles out there, especially those that mix science with other skills.”
Advice for people entering the life sciences sector
So what are Sam and Carrie’s top pieces of advice for young people entering the life sciences sector today?
- Consider all avenues. “University isn’t the only way. Explore options like apprenticeships as well.”
- Don’t narrow your choices too early. “Breadth of knowledge is important so don’t specialise at too young an age,” says Sam.
- Be curious. “Knock on doors, ask questions and find out about the careers of people who are already working in the sector,” says Carrie.
- If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, make a change. “There’s nothing more soul destroying than doing something you hate,” says Sam. “If you don’t love it, find something else.”
