MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology & CamAWiSE What Next For Your Career?

The annual Career Stories Event, co-hosted by CamAWiSE and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), took place on Friday, October 16. Attendees gathered together to gain insight into building and navigating a career in science. 

This event builds on a collaboration between CamAWiSE and the LMB that has continued for over two decades.

The event was opened by Louise Atkin, LMB’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, who warmly welcomed participants. 

Helen Arnold, co-Chair of CamAWiSE, followed with an introduction to the organisation and its overarching mission.  Three inspiring speakers then shared practical insights into making career decisions and taking the next steps professionally.

Carly Dix, Associate Director at AstraZeneca, emphasised the importance of networking, mapping your transferable skills, maintaining strong relationships and nurturing contacts across the industry. She also discussed the role of AI in job applications. While recognising its benefits, she cautioned against relying too heavily on these tools for personal tasks such as writing a CV.

Louise Fets, Group Leader at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, spoke about imposter syndrome and the importance of recognising and trusting in your abilities. She emphasised the value of surrounding yourself with positive mentors—people who believe in your potential and create opportunities that help you to grow.

Gisela Otten, Senior Investigator Scientist at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, shared her career journey from academia to industry. She offered a candid look at her decision-making process, showing how a clear list of pros and cons helped her evaluate her options and choose her next steps. A central theme of her talk was the value of “returning” to opportunities and interests over time.

Their experiences highlighted that scientific careers are rarely linear and that scientific expertise, transferable skills and a willingness to embrace new opportunities can open doors in different directions within the life sciences.

A huge thank you to our inspirational speakers, to the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) for organising and hosting (thanks to Louise Atkin and the team), and to everyone who joined us, including CamAWiSE Co-Chairs, Agnieszka Rutkowska, PhD and Helen Elizabeth Arnold.

Whatever stage you are at in your career, remember that new opportunities may be closer than you think. We hope to encourage more people to recognise their strengths, explore new opportunities and pursue careers that are both fulfilling and rewarding.

So, what's next for your career?

Interested in developing your career, expanding your professional network or exploring new opportunities in STEMM? Discover CamAWiSE's upcoming events, mentoring opportunities and supportive community.