The placement and my project in FISH (fluorescent in situhybridisation) undoubtedly helped me secure employment

"Having completed my undergraduate degree at Sheffield, I was drawn to the Human and Molecular Genetics MSc for a number of reasons. Not only did the course offer the balance between genetics and molecular biology that I was looking for, but it also offered opportunities that I would not necessarily have had in other Masters courses. For example, we all completed independent research projects within the lab, which, while challenging, was particularly rewarding, learning and developing a wide range of highly applicable skills and techniques. I was also given the opportunity to undertake a 10-week placement at the Sheffield Diagnostic Genetics Service, where I was able to use my knowledge of karyotyping in the initial stages of genetic diagnosis, working with real patient samples. Both this placement and my project in FISH (fluorescent in situhybridisation) undoubtedly helped me secure employment."

"I moved back home after the MSc, and took some time applying for various lab positions locally. I was very lucky to get more than one offer: from the University of Liverpool; an NHS position in a hospital; and in a Microbiology lab. I took the latter position, where I am now working as the Operations Technician for a company called Pro-Lab Diagnostics. I am involved in quality control for the products that are made and sold worldwide, and research in developing new products for the company. Undeniably, the skills I developed during the Masters, including microscopy techniques, cell culture, and independent research, have helped me hugely in both securing this position, and my everyday work. The support given by Dr Adam Hodgson and Dr Dave Turton was second to none, and I cannot thank them and the MSc enough for helping me get to where I am today."