People who claim to know nothing about science can probably talk about the usefulness of DNA profiling in solving crime. They may have an opinion about cloning and most likely enjoy programmes such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation or You Are What You Eat, which are full of biology.
The life sciences are everywhere. From zoology, genetics and pharmacology to biotechnology, biochemistry and food science, the biological and life sciences cover an area that offers a huge range of careers. It is worth exploring the choices well and knowing what's involved in each area.
Unfortunately, only a limited amount of work experience is available, and those placements that are around are reasonably similar. Your likelihood of getting work experience in the life sciences often depends on the school you go to and whether it has an established link with a college.
As will be the case with work experience throughout the year, the first piece of advice is to look at the people you know. Contacts in the science industry or related areas in third-level institutions are the most effective route to getting work experience. Your career-guidance teacher will quickly tell you whether your school has any links with universities or institutes of technology.
If you feel adrift, without a contact in the world, you may still have a chance. Your first port of call should be the institution closest to you. The extent of what's available to transition-year students depends on the place. Some colleges prefer to send speakers out to schools. Others provide day-long tours and information days. One or two will organise a full week of work experience, although that is generally for students in specified schools.
Most of this will be organised through a career-guidance counsellor but there are exceptions. Dr Catherine Buckley is education and outreach manager for the alimentary pharmabiotic centre at University College Cork. It has a website that allows students to apply directly for work experience in the laboratories.
"We ask people to explain why they want to do work experience," says
Dr Buckley. "We just want to ensure
that people who come are actually interested in the area." To apply, click on http://apc.ucc.ie/content/ schools.htm and download an application form.
This is a joint initiative with Science Foundation Ireland, and it is worth looking at its website, www.sfi.ie. If you click on the education-and-outreach link you will find a small number of institutions willing to take applications for high-quality work experience in
different science areas; the foundation also has a number of initiatives aimed at attracting students into the industry.
