Paul M.
About me
| Paul M. | |
| Chemistry | |
| Chemistry | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Wentworth | |
| 1986 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Head of Science | |
| Grammar School | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Education |
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A day in the life of a Head of Science in the United Kingdom
I get to work with young people everyday helping them to develop their awareness of science and how it relates to the world around them. I am also lucky to assist with university applications and am a sixth form tutor.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
I work for a Grammar School in Kent with 1200 students. It is a girls school with boys in the sixth form.
What do you do?
As Head of Science I manage a team of 17 including 3 Science Technicians. I also get to teach Chemistry and a little bit of Physics. I get to work with young people everyday helping them to develop their awareness of science and how it relates to the world around them. I am also lucky to assist with university applications and am a sixth form tutor.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
I have had various jobs/careers, starting life as a production engineer moving into technical sales. I then sold beer to supermarkets for years before consulting on a big project to connect the worlds supermarkets with their global suppliers at the dawn of the internet age. A couple of redundancies and a spell developing proerty later and I needed a fresh challenge. A visit to the careers centre in my late 30's led to my current role in teaching. It seemed to encompass my skills with a love for working with young people.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
Yes. Studying Chemistry I thought I would end up working for a chemical or pharmaceutical company and even applied to get into forestry.
Describe your most memorable day at work
It happens every year and it is results day. In fact it happens twice a year as there are GCSE results and IB results. Also A level results day is pretty special, as Ib students who have not met their original offer can get offers of places.
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
Yes, I work with young people. They have opinions, moods and sometimes do very unexpected things. This is also the fantastic thing about the job.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
I work in a school so you all know what that is like. I do have a desk in an office and as head of Department I have picked the one that looks out of the window.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I played football and a bit of volleyball. Anything where you are interacting with other people develops communication and interpersonal skills that are useful in any line of work.
What would you like to do next with your career?
I would still like to be part of the senior management team of my school setting longer term strategy for the whole school rather than just my department.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Be flexible. Don't have any preconceived ideas and adapt to change. There is an over used phrase in education that we are preparing students for jobs that don't yet exist. The world is ever changing and there is greater emphasis on transferable skills rather than knowledge. Both are useful but you can learn how to do a new job. It is more difficult to change the type of person you are.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
Sales careers and teaching. I have helped develop trainee and new teachers throughout my career which is extremely satisfying. Science teaching in particular as it is great to see students grasp complex ideas.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
I love sport. I still play 2 a side football and coach girls rugby at my local rugby club as well as school . I am a poor runner and cyclist but do both on a regular basis for fun and to raise money for charity. I love to ski and get to go on the school ski trip every year. I have been involved in a humantarian school trip to Africa building a feeding station in malawi and it was one of the most satisfying and uplifting experiences of my life. We were due to go again this year but sadly the global pandemic meant that it was cancelled.
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