Shazia Khan
BSc (Hons) Biology/Chemistry, 1991
About me
- STEM Tutor at YMCA of the Triangle, USA
- Studied: BSc (Hons) Biology/Chemistry, 1991
- Contact me on LinkedIn
About my career
Manchester Met offered me the unique opportunity to study both biology and chemistry within a single course, which I believed would make me more competitive when it came time to apply for jobs in the science and technology sectors. The course provided students with hands-on laboratory experience, directly relevant to careers in science and engineering. The university’s city centre campus and diverse student community made for a rich and rewarding experience, thoroughly preparing me for a future career and life beyond university.
I got an opportunity to visit San Francisco Bay Area, a hub for science and technology. This inspired me to enrol in a computer science course at a local college. From there, I secured a placement as a laboratory technician at Novartis, which became my first job after graduating from Manchester Met. I highly recommend securing a job placement alongside your studies, as it offers invaluable experience in your chosen industry and allows you to apply the knowledge gained from your course directly to a job. Employers seek not only the right skill set but also relevant experience, and it was a privilege to work alongside scientists on their research projects.
I now work at the YMCA, where I tutor students who are striving to overcome challenges in science and maths. My responsibilities include creating lesson plans and presentations, providing feedback to parents, and encouraging students to achieve their best. It’s incredibly rewarding to help students build confidence in science and maths, ultimately leading to improved grades.
During my time at Manchester Met, I developed skills in collaboration, communication, and teamwork, as well as organisation and time management. These soft skills are important for any career. The hands-on laboratory experience, particularly involving instrumentation to conduct experiments, is highly sought after by employers, as is technical writing—a skill I honed through writing scientific methods.
Since graduating, I have joined dynamic and global companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries that provide in-house training programmes, helping me update my skills and acquire new ones, particularly in leadership and teamwork. These opportunities are incentives for employees to grow and remain with the company, and that’s how I gained additional skills.
My top tip for students
Gaining experience through a job placement during your studies or applying for temporary jobs via a recruitment agency is my top tip for securing that first professional role. Many employers use recruitment agencies to fill temporary positions, which can often lead to permanent roles. Once in a job, discuss opportunities to advance your career during performance reviews.
I’m inspired by
Trailblazers who do not follow the typical path but instead go where there is no path and leave a trail. Like many, I used to struggle with self-doubt until others encouraged me to believe in myself and aim for higher goals. Overcoming self-doubt, being persistent, and believing in your potential are key to success.
Why I love Manchester Met
I loved the supportive community at Manchester Met, which encourages students to turn their future goals into reality. I also cherished the opportunity to make lasting friendships.