Sivajanani

Where did you do your work experience?

Romford

What did you do?

I worked in microbiology for a week and looked at how to identify the specimens and samples the department received.

What did you enjoy most?

I enjoyed learning about different types of bacteria, and enjoyed identifying specimens. I was able to get a sense of the lab environment.

What did you learn?

I learnt about how samples of patients' blood, urine, and several other types of swabs are taken, and left in different conditions for bacteria to grow. When looking at the specimens on agar dishes after a few days, you can see different colonies of bacteria.

The smell of the lab wasn't the most pleasant, but I learnt to cope with it after a little while!

Do you have any advice for other people?

Try and ask anyone you know who works in a hospital to help you get an opportunity there. They may be able to help get you a placement in a similar department to them.