What is your job title, and what department do you work in?
I am a Teaching Lab Technician/Technical Staff Specialist, in the Faculty of Medicine Centre.
Why do you think the Technician Commitment is important?
As a technician, I feel personally connected to the Technician Commitment. It is important because technicians across higher education and research provide specialist expertise, skills and continuity that underpin teaching, learning and world-class research. For me, the commitment means that visibility recognition and career development for technicians is invested in.
What do you enjoy about being involved with the Technician Commitment?
I enjoy collaborating with technical colleagues across Imperial and finding practical solutions to issues that affect the technician’s community. The group has so many fantastic ideas, and it’s great to be in a collaborative space where ideas are supported and executed.
What has the Technician Commitment achieved at Imperial that you are most proud of?
The rollout of T-level apprenticeships. They are a fantastic initiative to blend learning with hands-on industry lab experiences. For the technician profession, they raise the profile of technical careers and open doors for young people who may not have considered this route.
Tell us something interesting you have discovered about technicians (past or present) at Imperial.
That the word “Technician” truly means Jack of All Trades.
What is your top tip for technicians who would like to progress their careers at Imperial?’
Be open to opportunities available to you. Technicians have a lot of transferable skills and there isn’t one path to progression. My top tip would be to get involved in initiatives that you’re interested and invested in which opens doors you didn’t even know existed!
Tell us something that people would be surprised to find out about you!
I think in the future I’d like to go into stand-up comedy, not that I think I’d be any good, but it seems fun.