Question: What do you enjoy about working with students?

Christine Switzer answered on 13 Jun 2011:

Hi Giblin96,

Thanks for your question!

I like helping students make new discoveries about science. Sometimes the discoveries are new to both of us. I work with PhD, masters and undergraduate students on various projects. There are fun aspects of working with students at each level. PhD students are with me for at least 3 years just to do research. My “oldest” student is about a year and a half into her studies. I have been teaching her about chemistry, fire science and contaminated land clean-up. She has been teaching me about geology and soil testing methods. My other PhD students are working to figure out how to reintroduce life into soil after we clean it of contaminants, but they are just getting started.

Masters students and undergraduates work with me for much shorter periods than the PhD students. Masters students do their projects mainly over the summer whereas undergraduates have to fit their project work alongside their taught classes. Some work with the PhD students and others work independently.

Most of the undergraduate projects that I supervised this year were designed by the students. I looked after 5 students whose projects were based on Malawi. My university has a strong connection to the University of Malawi Polytechnic, so we went to visit them in January. It was my first time in Africa and it was an amazing place to visit. The projects all revolved around subject areas where we could work together more: water and sanitation, waste management and renewable energy. None are my speciality, but all are interesting subjects where I would love to learn more.

Do you have any ideas yet on what kind of career you might want to pursue?

Cheers,
Christine