Introducing the Carbon Initiative with IWA Water Loss Specialist Group
Published on: 12 Feb 2025
Read moreIn our continued mission for knowledge sharing, WRc offered a budding scientist a sneak peek of a potential future career in the environmental sector. Summer work experience student Molly became a Junior Laboratory Technician under the guidance of WRc's water and waste specialists.
Earlier this Summer WRc were delighted to host Molly, a Year 12 student from Kingsbury Green Academy in Calne, a school and Sixth Form within the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust. Molly spent a week at WRc's Swindon facilities under the guidance of Rob Camm (Project Manager, Water & Environment) and David Maley (Laboratory Team Leader, Waste & Resources). Molly truly 'followed in the footsteps' of Rob, who's first job was Junior Laboratory Technician with pharmaceutical company Glaxo Smith Kline more than 40 years ago; it's fair to say that he had plenty of experience to pass on! Molly is currently deciding on university options, with her sights set on a medical science degree.
Molly proved to be a thoughtful and proactive student, taking a genuine interest in understanding what applied science looks like in a commercial setting.
There was much to learn from the experts and busy facilities at WRc: Molly got the opportunity to help validate a robotic auto-titrator for sample preparation; assisted the Waste & Resources Laboratory team with separation of metals from a waste incinerator ash; and finally Rob gave her a ‘crash course’ in water treatment, taking a sample of raw water from the stream at WRc and measuring the improvement in water quality after addition of treatment chemicals. By the end of the week, Molly’s only regret was that, due to a university interview on the Friday, she wasn’t able to join WRc’s brand strategy and team-building day!
WRc will soon welcome another Summer work experience placement, this time in the Marketing team within the Commercial Services department. College student William will get the chance to apply his photography and videography skills in a business setting - keep an eye out on our social media for updates!