Chemistry BSc(Hons): After you graduate

"Chemistry was my main interest at school and there were several things about the degree at Kingston that appealed to me. Firstly, the fact that it offered the chance to study as a joint honours with business appealed to me. I felt this provided a broad spectrum of options and would enable me to pursue a career in the technical or commercial field. I also liked that it offered a sandwich year in industry, which I thought would be very useful.   

"More generally, I was attracted by the University's location. Coming from the Yorkshire countryside, I fancied being close to London and having a completely new experience.

"Once I had settled on the course, I made friends and really enjoyed myself. Looking back, I wish I could do it all again. For me the best thing about being at Kingston was the atmosphere. I was with a really good bunch of people who made it very special. Everyone got on really well and we worked hard and played hard.

"I graduated in 1990, which was a difficult time to find a job so initially I worked providing technical and sales support in a computer department. However, I really wanted to work in chemistry and in '92 I got a job with Rohn & Hass, a big American manufacturer of acrylics. This was in technical sales and I have remained in the field ever since.

"I now work for Thor Specialities selling preservatives called biocides, which go in products such as paint or adhesives. I work with chemistry everyday. I might be looking into problems such as the viscosity of paint or explaining both the technical and commercial side of the company's products, in short what a product does and how it works, and this calls on both my chemical and business expertise. 

"The thing I enjoy most about my work is the variety – every day is different. I may have to communicate with someone with a PhD in chemistry or with very little technical knowledge. I sell to a whole range of different industries, manufacturing anything from shampoo to drilling fluid. So one of the most useful elements of my degree has been the wide range of subjects it encompassed. 

"If you are considering this course my advice is go for it. It opens you up to lots of possibilities and gives you the opportunity to choose from a variety of career paths."