• Question: I would also like to know what is it like to work in a lab because I want to do something with chemistry or biology.

    Asked by anon-280404 to Zahra, Atia on 27 Feb 2021.
    • Photo: Zahra Rattray

      Zahra Rattray answered on 27 Feb 2021:

      I find working in a lab real fun. Every day there is something new to explore and you work with so many different cool machines, techniques and other people. You can even combine biology with chemistry in your day to day work.

    • Photo: Atia Azad

      Atia Azad answered on 28 Feb 2021:

      Hi Liana,

      Working in the lab can be very fun. When I first started lab work at university, we had plenty of support from the lecturers. We also had instructions to help us through the experiments. Once you become more experienced, you will work out the experiments by yourself and writing your own set of instructions. The other part of lab work is to think about how to stay safe. I make sure to wear my lab coat, glasses and gloves when working with chemicals.

Comments

  • Photo: Paul

    Paul commented on :

    You need to have a good attention to detail, you will probably be following a method which is a bit like cooking really. You carefully follow the method & record your results.

  • Photo: Jess

    Jess commented on :

    Hey!
    There are different kinds of lab really for chemsitry and biology – industry labs and research labs. Research labs are for reserach companies and universities, where the goal is to find out new things – there is tonnes of cool equipment and every day is different, you get to plan and do experiments. Industry (non research) labs are also important, for example in my field (microbiology) industry labs are important for testing samples of food or water to make sure it is safe. These labs have a different focus and are less mentally taxing – but you get to learn about a wider range of things about how companies run and what else is required – so it really depends on what kind of career you want to pursue but there’s definitely something for all!

  • Photo: Phil

    Phil commented on :

    Working in a lab is fun. Because of the potential hazardous nature of the work you are never allowed to work alone, so there is always someone to chat to about work, life and everything. In my lab we are standing at fume hoods most of the day. Setting up, monitoring, working up and isolating chemical reactions.

  • Photo: Amy

    Amy commented on :

    Working in a lab can be very rewarding. I don’t necessarily do the same thing every day, and there’s always the possibility of something new popping up. I would say it’s good if you’re methodical, have great attention to detail, and also don’t get distracted halfway through something as it makes it easier for the team to work more efficiently. I would also say that you shouldn’t be squeamish in a hospital laboratory, one of my old tasks was posting poo 😂😂

  • Photo: Andrew

    Andrew commented on :

    Working in the lab can be very enjoyable and offers lots of variation (I don’t often do the same thing from one day to the next). Not all labs are the same. E.g. I have no fume hoods in mine as I measure things made by other people (usually). So instead we have instruments that measure samples with bright lights (sometimes lasers), with strong magnets, or by listening to them.