BSc Microbiology - Corinne Martin
Corinne Martin studied microbiology at UEA after visiting on an international exchange programme.
Here they tell us more about their course and progression into further research.
What did you like best about microbiology at UEA?
I liked that the course was taught by active researchers who really knew the topic.
The teaching format was new to me as I arrived at UEA via a student exchange programme with France. I liked it so much at UEA that by week two, I knew I wanted to transfer and complete my studies there.
Looking back, do you think the course gave you any skills and knowledge that helped you forge your current career?
My time at UEA made me an independent learner, equipped with research skills which I then used during my PhD
Even if it had nothing to do with microbiology - the PhD in question was on marine turtles!
Was there anyone who particularly inspired you?
I have to thank my final year project supervisor who encouraged me to take up an offer of an MPhil place after graduation.
I had not really understood the potential to transfer from it to a PhD course, and was thinking about turning down the offer.
What were your enduring memories of UEA?
I always remember the very organised welcome for international students, a week earlier than home undergraduates.
Living in the Ziggurat accommodation stands out, along with enjoying such a dynamic campus, not to mention all that Norwich has to offer.
What did you like best about microbiology at UEA?
I liked that the course was taught by active researchers who really knew the topic.
The teaching format was new to me as I arrived at UEA via a student exchange programme with France. I liked it so much at UEA that by week two, I knew I wanted to transfer and complete my studies there.
Looking back, do you think the course gave you any skills and knowledge that helped you forge your current career?
My time at UEA made me an independent learner, equipped with research skills which I then used during my PhD
(Even if it had nothing to do with microbiology (the PhD in question was on marine turtles!)
Was there anyone who particularly inspired you?
I have to thank my final year project supervisor who encouraged me to take up an offer of an MPhil place after graduation.
I had not really understood the potential to transfer from it to a PhD course, and was thinking about turning down the offer.
What were your enduring memories of UEA?
I always remember the very organised welcome for international students, a week earlier than home undergraduates.
Living in the Ziggurat accommodation stands out, along with enjoying such a dynamic campus, not to mention all that Norwich has to offer.
How did you prepare for your career?
I made sure that I did as many internships as possible, to get to see possible future jobs from the inside.
At the time, it was also easy to find student jobs, and I got lots of transferable skills through that. It also helped to improve my English.
Did you have a clear idea of where you wanted to go and what you wanted to do after you graduated?
I never had a clear career plan, and my career path has been quite sinuous.
I’d say that I took up opportunities when they came along, not being afraid to move including living in other countries. What’s important is to stay in jobs that you enjoy and are good at, and change jobs if this is not the case.
What was your first job after graduation? What were you doing, and how did you hope it would benefit you?
My first job after completing my PhD was a short research contract that sent me to Montserrat island in the Caribbean, to administer a socio-economic questionnaire relating to sea turtles in UK Overseas Territories.
It was a little intimidating to go around the island to carry out interviews, but I got great support and mentoring from more the senior team members who were based in the UK. I had got the job opportunity through professional relationships which I had developed during my PhD – this is invaluable for career development, and the investment always pays off one way or another.
Tell us more about your current job
I am Senior Impact Officer in an intergovernmental organisation called ELIXIR working to build an integrated pan-European research infrastructure for biological data.
Working with countries across Europe is what I like the most about my job – I can’t think of a recent meeting or conference call when there was not at least 3-4 different nationalities represented.