SGNZ - Sci Grad New Zealand

David started off in Biomedical Science trying to get into medical school but ended up finishing his degree as a nurse. He talks about his university adventures and how advice he received before starting university ended up the pathway he chose. We also chat about all things Nursing, the pathways to it, what his experience is working as a Nurse. He is currently working at Starship hospital in PICU.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Intro

2:07 How Dave got into science/nursing

5:46 Decision to go into nursing

6:50 University experience

13:22 Tips for time management on doing placements + study

20:15 Discussing competitiveness

23:00 Journey into child health

30:35 Career progression and further study in nursing

40:51 Pearls of wisdom - Advice for 18-year old Dave

Find us on all our socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Scigradnz

https://www.instagram.com/scigradnz/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgnz-science-grads-new-zealand/

Credit

Logo: Denny Lee

Intro: "Cali" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cali-1171/?fbclid=IwAR0yGsfL9GEURuj4VpzFIUKdXmmH1Pik3YxUokmsKJ1QLNQdaPJC-HKsNsg)

Outro: "U Said It V13 Soundcloud" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-u-said-it-v13-souncloud-1167/?fbclid=IwAR0tQaXzxiON3LN9hmMY14hZlVSafDuz8T3DIXfDBoKttlnEdpnTK9shyag)

Shivan started off with a major in Biomedical Sciences and has a real interesting reason for venturing into Optometry! He talks about his experience doing Biomed at the University of Auckland and whether the rumours about sabotage in the first year are true or not!

We also chat about all things Optometry, the pathways to it, what his experience is working as an Optometrist. He is currently working at Canterbury DHB but has experience in corporate and small, independent businesses.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction

1:55 How Shivan got into science

2:50 How Shivan decided on Biomed and his experience

5:30 Shivan’s journey to Optometry

7:00 Bachelor of Optom experience

11:58 What Shivan liked and didn’t in his degree

13:35 What happens after graduation

14:30 Job security

17:10 Different avenues that can be explored with Optom

22:36 Advice Shivan would give to his 18-year old self

Find us on all our socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Scigradnz

https://www.instagram.com/scigradnz/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgnz-science-grads-new-zealand/

Credit

Logo: Denny Lee

Intro: "Cali" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cali-1171/?fbclid=IwAR0yGsfL9GEURuj4VpzFIUKdXmmH1Pik3YxUokmsKJ1QLNQdaPJC-HKsNsg)

Outro: "U Said It V13 Soundcloud" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-u-said-it-v13-souncloud-1167/?fbclid=IwAR0tQaXzxiON3LN9hmMY14hZlVSafDuz8T3DIXfDBoKttlnEdpnTK9shyag)

Dr Victor Yim completed his PhD in Chemistry in the University of Auckland. He went through the Medicinal Chemistry undergraduate pathway which lead to peptide research. After his university life, he went on to become a researcher at Snowberry NZ where he works with novel ingredients and formulation for skin-care products.

Find us on all our socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Scigradnz

https://www.instagram.com/scigradnz/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgnz-science-grads-new-zealand/

Credit

Logo: Denny Lee

Intro: "Cali" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cali-1171/?fbclid=IwAR0yGsfL9GEURuj4VpzFIUKdXmmH1Pik3YxUokmsKJ1QLNQdaPJC-HKsNsg)

Outro: "U Said It V13 Soundcloud" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-u-said-it-v13-souncloud-1167/?fbclid=IwAR0tQaXzxiON3LN9hmMY14hZlVSafDuz8T3DIXfDBoKttlnEdpnTK9shyag)

Time Stamps:

1:43: First question: what got you started on science?

2:03: The deeper you get into science, the less certain things are.

3:22: Victor did the Asian 5 in high school.

4:23: Cambridge tends to be more representative of university style grading.

5:55: Why did you choose Chemistry over Biology and Physics?

7:35: What's the main difference between Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry?

9:03: Unfortunately picking Medicinal Chemistry narrows down your topic choices in postgrad as it focuses more on Organic Chemistry.

11:34: What's the PGDip layout in Medicinal Chemistry?

13:34: Victor accidentally did lab work along with this 8 papers for PGDip which made things unexpectedly difficult.

16:30: Victor talks about what he did in his postgrad projects.

19:54: It's hard to find papers that publish "failures". 

20:45: Negative results are still results. 

23:57: What were the good things and positives about doing your Masters and PHD?

26:47: Thesis submission. The defense and the end.

29:48: What counts as dumb luck and what counts as hard work and skill.

31:48: What did you do after your PhD?

34:07: The issues of stability in academia and research. 

38:18: Victor's advice

Shalini completed her Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Auckland in 2015 and is a registered practising locum pharmacist. She was the Auckland Pharmacy Students Association President (2015), which allowed her to fully make the most of her university experience. In 2017 she built up the courage to change course and pursue a full-time career in the Pharmaceutical industry and hasn't looked back. This has provided her with the opportunity to live and work in different cities all over NZ. In order to develop herself further, she is currently focusing on skills in Management and Marketing supported by her Master’s study at UOA. Tune in to hear Shalini speak about the perks of being a pharmacy student, the career options that the pharmacy pathway can lead to, and how to have a bit of fun along the way.

Find us on all our socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Scigradnz

https://www.instagram.com/scigradnz/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgnz-science-grads-new-zealand/

Credit

Logo: Denny Lee

Intro: "Cali" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cali-1171/?fbclid=IwAR0yGsfL9GEURuj4VpzFIUKdXmmH1Pik3YxUokmsKJ1QLNQdaPJC-HKsNsg)

Outro: "U Said It V13 Soundcloud" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-u-said-it-v13-souncloud-1167/?fbclid=IwAR0tQaXzxiON3LN9hmMY14hZlVSafDuz8T3DIXfDBoKttlnEdpnTK9shyag)

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction

1:00 How Shalini got into science

2:50 How Shalini decided on Pharmacy and placements

14:45 Shalini’s experience during the Pharmacy programme

18:00 What happens after graduation

21:25 How Shalini decided to go into the corporate world

24:19 Exploring opportunities beyond community pharmacy

26:00 Reaching the business world with Master’s degree

33:40 Advice Shalini would give to her 18-year old self

Emily completed a Bachelor of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Science and then applied for a Masters of Audiology.

She chats to us about her experience doing a year of postgrad before her Masters as well as how she found the Masters itself and the thesis she wrote. We also chat about job hunting (+ the job security!) after finishing up the Masters and her current role of Provisional Audiologist at Bay Audiology.

Emily is finishing up her Certificate of Clinical Competence and we wish her all the best!

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

1:25 How Emily got into science

5:05 Audiology and undergrad at University of Auckland

11:58 PGDipSci in Biomed

15:10 Masters in Audiology

18:00 Thesis topic

19:51 Experience of the Masters

28:28 Certificate of Clinical Competence (after employment)

33:00 Advice Emily would give to her 18-year old self

Find us on all our socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Scigradnz

https://www.instagram.com/scigradnz/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgnz-science-grads-new-zealand/

Credit

Logo: Denny Lee

Intro: "Cali" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cali-1171/?fbclid=IwAR0yGsfL9GEURuj4VpzFIUKdXmmH1Pik3YxUokmsKJ1QLNQdaPJC-HKsNsg)

Outro: "U Said It V13 Soundcloud" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-u-said-it-v13-souncloud-1167/?fbclid=IwAR0tQaXzxiON3LN9hmMY14hZlVSafDuz8T3DIXfDBoKttlnEdpnTK9shyag)

NEW EPISODE ALERT 🚨

Utsav is a fourth year PhD student at Duke University researching particle physics within the ATLAS experiment.

He previously attained a First Class Honours in Physics alongside a Bachelor’s Degree in Science with a major in Physics and a minor in Mathematics at the University of Auckland.

In his transition from New Zealand to the states - especially in the confusing process of applying to international graduate programs, Utsav has learnt a lot and looks to help anyone that is considering further studies in international universities.

LINK IN BIO

Timestamps

0:15 Intro

1:11 What got you into science?

2:20 The influence of high school physics for Utsav

3:35 Physics vs Engineering

4:46 Lorenzo and Utsav reminisce over inorganic chemistry while Kai Man gets PTSD from his first year physics course

6:30 Most people take physics just as part of the "Asian 5" for budding biomedical science students

7:15 Astronomy in University of Auckland

7:45 The paths/specialisations in physics

8:34 Utsav specializes in particle physics

9:53 Honours is where you really dive into your specialty

12:25 The benefits of an entire class/paper dedicated to lab work

15:56 Finishing undergraduate and Utsav's options

17:00 PhD talk and Postgrad talk

20:36 Specifics on Utsav's Honours thesis

22:50 Utsav praising engineering prowess

23:33 How he got to Duke University from Auckland

25:35 Utsav runs a panel with friends to assist budding students in NZ in their applications to PhD in America

29:50 American university shortlist

31:00 Kai Man would pick based on NCAA and chances of watching an NBA basketball prospect

33:10 Utsav and Lorenzo are San Antonio Spurs fans

34:10 Enjoying your time in university is important

34:57 What are the first two years of American PhDs like?

37:20 Utsav is still in particle physics but with a different focus

41:54 Applying for a PhD in a different country is confusing. Always ask for help from anyone.

42:54 Final question: what advice would you give to past you or other people in similar situations?

Find us on all our socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Scigradnz

https://www.instagram.com/scigradnz/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgnz-science-grads-new-zealand/

Credit

Logo: Denny Lee

Intro: "Cali" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cali-1171/?fbclid=IwAR0yGsfL9GEURuj4VpzFIUKdXmmH1Pik3YxUokmsKJ1QLNQdaPJC-HKsNsg)

Outro: "U Said It V13 Soundcloud" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-u-said-it-v13-souncloud-1167/?fbclid=IwAR0tQaXzxiON3LN9hmMY14hZlVSafDuz8T3DIXfDBoKttlnEdpnTK9shyag)

Justin works at Radically which is a management consulting firm that is helping transform and evolve some of New Zealand’s key organisations. He focuses on delivering projects that find process improvement, unlock business potential for growth and enable change by being a coach, facilitator and strategic-thinker.

He previously worked at Ernst & Young as a Business Consultant after finishing his Master's Degree in Bioscience Enterprise and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Physiology at the University of Auckland.

Timestamps

0:43 Justin intro

1:35 First question: what got you into science?

2:52 What did you do at rotary camp?

4:20 Did the "trial" period reflect what you experienced in uni

6:25 What made you decide to change degree direction after undergraduate?

8:10 It's okay to change career direction and degree

9:00 Justin's Bioscience Enterprise internship experience

11:52 Free advertisement

12:50 What the skills you learn in Bioscience Enterprise can be applied to elsewhere

14:03 What's the turning point that took you out of science to where you are now?

15:20 Communication is a very good skill

18:30 Justin's EY day-to-day and experiences

20:07 Work-life-balance

21:16 What do you do now with Radically?

25:04 Change can take forever regardless of company size

27:39 Radically is more on transformational and organization structure work

28:03 Taking the science thinking and applying it to something else completely different

28:30 Luck or effort to "escape" science?

29:19 Learning what your strengths are and your experiences

31:42 Embracing both your strengths and weaknessess and being comfortable with both

33:06 Final question: if you can go back in time to speak to young Justin, or anyone in a similar position of wanting to branch out from science, what would your advice be?

Find us on all our socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Scigradnz

https://www.instagram.com/scigradnz/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgnz-science-grads-new-zealand/

Credit

Logo: Denny Lee

Intro: "Cali" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cali-1171/?fbclid=IwAR0yGsfL9GEURuj4VpzFIUKdXmmH1Pik3YxUokmsKJ1QLNQdaPJC-HKsNsg)

Outro: "U Said It V13 Soundcloud" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-u-said-it-v13-souncloud-1167/?fbclid=IwAR0tQaXzxiON3LN9hmMY14hZlVSafDuz8T3DIXfDBoKttlnEdpnTK9shyag)

Kyrah shares her journey with us from how she got into science to how she ended up in her PhD! She started off doing a Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Science conjoint with a focus in neuroscience and then did her honours in Pharmacology.

She had a successful honours year and managed to prove a causal variant in Motor Neuron Disease (super cool!)

She is now a PhD candidate at the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland, still working on Motor Neuron Disease.

She talks about struggles during her honours year, dealing with imposter syndrome before her PhD and how her supervisor inspired her to continue with her studies. We’ve loved to hear Kyrah’s story and we think you’ll appreciate it too!

Timestamps

1:20 How Kyrah got into science

6:35 Why Kyrah went into Health Science instead of Biomed

10:05 What Kyrah did after undergrad

14:23 Kyrah’s honours project

19:50 Imposter Syndrome interfering with certainty of continuing studies

22:30 PhD project

30:00 Kyrah’s advice to her 18-year old self

Find us on all our socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Scigradnz

https://www.instagram.com/scigradnz/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgnz-science-grads-new-zealand/

Credit

Logo: Denny Lee

Intro: "Cali" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cali-1171/?fbclid=IwAR0yGsfL9GEURuj4VpzFIUKdXmmH1Pik3YxUokmsKJ1QLNQdaPJC-HKsNsg)

Outro: "U Said It V13 Soundcloud" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-u-said-it-v13-souncloud-1167/?fbclid=IwAR0tQaXzxiON3LN9hmMY14hZlVSafDuz8T3DIXfDBoKttlnEdpnTK9shyag)

Laura has one of those unique paths to her current job and it all started with a BSc in Biological Science!

She is now a Skin and Beauty Specialist and the manager at R&R Skin Clinic and utilises science to tailor beauty and skin treatments for her clients.

There’s a level of relatability in Laura’s story which we really like! You don’t have to stay on the path you’re on just because you’re already there. If today’s podcast gets anything across to you, we hope it’s that you should always follow your true passions!

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

0:59 How Laura got into science

5:46 Food Science experience at UoA

10:32 Food Science Labs

12:56 How Laura transitioned to becoming a skin therapist

22:20 Advice Laura would give her 18-year old self

Find us on all our socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Scigradnz

https://www.instagram.com/scigradnz/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgnz-science-grads-new-zealand/

Credit

Logo: Denny Lee

Intro: "Cali" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cali-1171/?fbclid=IwAR0yGsfL9GEURuj4VpzFIUKdXmmH1Pik3YxUokmsKJ1QLNQdaPJC-HKsNsg)

Outro: "U Said It V13 Soundcloud" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-u-said-it-v13-souncloud-1167/?fbclid=IwAR0tQaXzxiON3LN9hmMY14hZlVSafDuz8T3DIXfDBoKttlnEdpnTK9shyag)

WELCOME BACK TO SEASON 2!

We’ve missed you and we bet you’ve missed us rambling in your ears about all things career. In this week’s episode, we introduce you to Jamie who will run all our social media this season and we talk about the exciting things we have coming up this season.

We’re excited to have you along for the ride!

Find us on all our socials:

https://www.facebook.com/Scigradnz

https://www.instagram.com/scigradnz/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgnz-science-grads-new-zealand/

Credit

Logo: Denny Lee

Intro: "Cali" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cali-1171/?fbclid=IwAR0yGsfL9GEURuj4VpzFIUKdXmmH1Pik3YxUokmsKJ1QLNQdaPJC-HKsNsg)

Outro: "U Said It V13 Soundcloud" By Jonas Bjørnstad (https://pixabay.com/music/beats-u-said-it-v13-souncloud-1167/?fbclid=IwAR0tQaXzxiON3LN9hmMY14hZlVSafDuz8T3DIXfDBoKttlnEdpnTK9shyag)