Since graduating from Bath, Reuben has built a successful career in academia and teaching, and often draws inspiration from his time in Bath as a model of what a good student experience looks like.
Read on to hear about what he loved about the University, and his career in genomics and genetics.
Why did you choose to study at Bath?
I was drawn to the compact campus in a wonderful city. Other universities I had visited had a sprawling presence throughout their host cities but lacked a clear focal point for the University community.
Living on campus in first year was a great way to get embedded into the community. This, combined with a great reputation for my subject, made it an easy choice to come to Bath.
Did you have a particular career in mind when you chose your course?
When choosing my degree, I had no clear plan, just an interest in the subject. I chose to do a professional placement year during my degree to give me more time and experience to help choose a path after graduation. Both before and after my degree I did not have a clear map of my career, just knew I wanted to pursue ‘science’ as a vague topic.
Can you tell us about your experience of studying here?
I had a great three years in Bath, living on campus in first year, and in Combe Down in later years.
First year on campus was a great opportunity to get involved in the many societies and activities the University had to offer. I had the time (unlike in later years) to try out new things I may not have considered before, meet new people and settle in for the next few years.
Describe your career journey since graduating.
After graduating from Bath in 2012, I went to the University of Southampton to do a PhD in medical genomics. I have been fortunate to have a continued academic career in Southampton, initially as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow.
In 2017, I was successful in securing a lectureship and am now in an education-focussed associate professor role, still in the Faculty of Medicine in Southampton. I currently run an MSc in Genomics and support our PhD students in the faculty.
This is hugely varied role – designing teaching, supporting students and undertaking research alongside students. I often draw inspiration from my time in Bath, as a model of what a good student experience looks like.
How did your studies help to develop you, professionally and/or personally?
My placement year, in a small pharmaceutical contract research company, was an excellent experience. It was my first job in science and an opportunity to reflect on my future career whilst developing valuable skills for future employability.
Many of my peers in Bath also did a placement, so I was fortunate to have familiar people around me on my return. Other Universities offer placements, but to have such a high proportion of student undertaking a placement makes it much less daunting to undertake the valuable experience.
What advice would you give to prospective students thinking about studying your course at Bath?
Bath is a great place to support you in flourishing in your chosen subject. If you already have a passion for your topic, they will support you in embracing that subject and developing you towards your future career.
For anyone considering undertaking a degree, make sure you have a passion for the topic; a degree is a way to develop your skill and passion and is a far less daunting task if you have a real passion for the topic.
Your plans may change though, and that’s fine too. When supporting my own students to consider their future careers, I often highlight the vast array of jobs out there. It is likely that you may not know of the job that would fit you best, and indeed that job may not even exist yet.
A degree gives you so much more than just the knowledge. It gives you skills that will serve you well in life, and lifelong friends along the way.
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