Student Work Experience @ SPT Labtech

At SPT Labtech, Bella Gough recently completed a two-week work experience programme with the Quality Control department as a Laboratory Technician, working under the supervision of Consumables Production Manager Dr Gillian Lewis. Working alongside Olivia Jenson and Callum Buckley.

We sat down with Bella to get to know her and find out a bit more about how her work experience went at SPT Labtech.

Hi Bella, so tell us about yourself and what you like to do in your spare time.

I’m currently on a gap year having completed my A Levels last year and have a strong interest in Science. In my spare time, I love to read a mixture of fantasy, romance & contemporary novels.

What made you approach SPT Labtech about work experience?

My Stepdad Matt Paterson works in the Finance department at SPT Labtech and explained you manufacture automated liquid handling equipment. As you’re a Life Sciences manufacturer I was keen to learn more about what the business does and work in the Labs.

What are your plans within education?

I’m currently going through the University interview process to study Biomedicine at either Manchester, Keele or Nottingham. It’s an exciting decision to make and one I can’t wait to jump into. My end goal is to study Medicine after completing my Biomedicine degree.

What are your career aspirations??

I really want to work within science, medicine or clinical cardiac science. Doing the work experience at SPT Labtech has made me realise how much I want to work in a lab environment.

Who did you work with SPT Labtech and what have you been doing?

I was working in the lab alongside Olivia, Callum and Gillian. The entire team were really great, they were all really helpful in answering any questions I had and they got me involved in a range of work throughout the two weeks.

Over the two weeks, I investigated alternative coating used in consumables products. Within the experiment, the coating had to be hydrophobic and oleophobic. The set of experiments we ran was to determine the performance of old and new coatings with a wide variety of different biological liquids. I also learned some maths which helped me measure different concentrations which will be used in volumetric testing in liquid handling.

I’ve developed and enhanced many skills such as being proficient in working out morality and working with volumetric flasks. As well as learning how to use Excel to analyse data, which will come in handy for uni. I’ve also written up an experiment report where I recorded all the data I found. I also learned how to use automated liquid handling equipment and the software that is used alongside the machine.

What have you learnt from working at SPT Labtech that will help within your degree and then going into industry?

I’ve learnt so much. The past two weeks have improved my confidence, communication skills, and learning to work as a team. As I mentioned above running reports on excel, and mixing liquids that will be used in experiments for the next 6 months. Improving my maths skills and learning more about Science.

If the opportunity came up to work on an Internship or full-time at SPT Labtech, would you?

Definitely, the last two weeks have been brilliant! I’ve learnt so much and really enjoyed working with the team.

What’s the one piece of advice you would have for anyone looking to do work experience at a company like SPT Labtech?

If you’re working within the labs I would brush up on your Maths skills and Science. The best thing to do would be to ask questions. Everyone is so helpful, encouraging and accommodating. It’s been a great place to work.

Dr Gillian Lewis was equally complimentary of Bella during her work experience saying:

Bella started off slightly nervous which is understandable as anyone would doing work experience for the first time.

She was quickly self-sufficient, analysing data on excel, running experiments, testing coatings, and mixing liquids. All throughout the two weeks she has grown in confidence and been a great asset to the team. She integrated quickly into the team and was engaging with questions from everyone in the team. They were all helpful in fielding questions and helping her to understand the processes.

It was great to see Bella’s love of Science and we would happily have her back full-time for an internship or full-time work in the future.