Michael T.
About me
| Michael T. | |
| Chemistry | |
| Chemistry | |
| Research Postgraduate | |
| Alcuin | |
| 1980 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Senior science teacher (retired) | |
| Local education authority | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Education |
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A day in the life of a Senior science teacher (retired) in the United Kingdom
Think outside the box! You cannot always use what you studied at University, but you can employ the way you work and interact with others in diverse ways.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
Local education authority, South Glamorgan
What do you do?
I ran the science department of a large comprehensive school. My department had nine teaching staff and three technical staff. I was responsible for designing the curriculum for science throughout the 11-18 age range.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
Directly on leaving university (then University College Swansea of the University of Wales) I took a position teaching chemistry. I then moved to a much larger school, initially as Head of Chemistry, then latterly as Head of Science faculty. It was during this period that I attended York, studying for a Masters degree in Chemical Education.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
Certainly. Upon retirement I pursued a second Masters degree (MA) in Roman and Celtic History at Newport College (then a part of the U. of Wales, now U. of South Wales). This led to research in a local museum, specialising in Roman military equipment as well as Roman pottery studies.
Describe your most memorable day at work
Finishing my Ph.D. with an answer! Getting a monograph published on Roman armour.
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
Trying to teach and devise a science curriculum with inadequate funds. Not to mention guiding school staff, both tyos and experienced - rather like herding cats!
What’s your work environment and culture like?
When teaching, I had a whole laboratory to myself. In the museum I generally work in the basement stores, although I sometimes aid the teaching staff upstairs in the gallery.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
Choral singing! Mixing with a large and very diverse group of people to achieve one aim.
What would you like to do next with your career?
Keep doing what I am currently doing - cataloguing the Roman pottery in the museum with an eventual view to having the catalogue uploaded onto the National Museum's web site.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Think outside the box! You cannot always use what you studied at University, but you can employ the way you work and interact with others in diverse ways.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
Teaching in general. How to organise your data (if that is what your job entails) in a useful way for others to appreciate.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
As a qualified chemist who ended up as an archaeologist! Got to be something useful there!
Next steps...
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