I studied Physics with Astronomy at Cardiff University, completing an integrated Masters in Physics (MPhys), achieving a First Class honours degree and awarded the Professor John Parrott prize for the best performing student in my year.
I then stayed at Cardiff University to pursue a Doctorate degree in Astronomy under the guidance of my undergraduate supervisor, specialising in numerical simulations of HCN emission in molecular clouds. Life as a PhD student became incredibly isolating during the COVID pandemic and I fell into an enduring period of depression.
The pandemic caused a marked lack of opportunities during my PhD and caused a significant regression in employable skills such as public speaking and an overall lack of self-confidence. Upon completing my Doctorate degree, I left academia to pursue life in industry. The pandemic coupled with the rise in AI proved to be a combination that left many people fighting for very little job opportunities and therefore finding a desirable role in industry became incredibly difficult.
During this time of job searching, my father who is a farmer, became incredibly ill. I therefore took this opportunity to help my father on the farm until he could recover. For this period, the farming duties took precedent over job searching and my focus was entirely on making sure that my father could return to a well
managed farm.
Upon the improvement of my father’s health, I restarted my job search and found STEM Returners and applied for a position on the STEM Returners programme with EDF in the Transient Analysis team in Gloucester. The Career Coach from STEM Returners reignited my enthusiasm for life in industry and gave me hope in pursuing a job I could only have dreamt. STEM Returners organised an employer interview that went successfully and after a second technical interview where I showcased my skills and experience, was offered a job at EDF.
During my 12-week programme, my line-manager was incredible and saw my skills and aligned tasks that were familiar to me during my time in PhD, making simulations of certain scenarios and environments. I felt incredibly supported throughout my programme, something I never felt in academia. EDF supported my learning of a new life of Nuclear with a series of trainings that are always ongoing to ensure the highest standards of expertise.
STEM Returners helped me return to a career that I thought might never be possible. I am incredibly thankful that there are those out there that are dedicated to support those trying to return to a profession in STEM. Never lose hope, STEM has room for everyone.
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