Embracing career growth: Sunny Sunshine’s career journey supported by Nottingham University Business School

When I returned to the lab after having taken time out to start a family, I wanted to do something with my time that I enjoyed and felt was worthwhile juggling around family time.

After a bumpy start managing one lab, I found my people in another part of the university with two Nicola’s, Dr Jackson and Dr Annels. They saw me – the whole me – and gave me a chance. My role initially involved managing an Oncology lab part-time, which led to me managing a new imaging platform which Nicola A. wanted me to develop for our lab users. This was both challenging and rewarding because I enjoy working with innovative technologies and curious people, which in turn supports my development, curiosity, and skills.

Part of the training involved working on bringing a product to market. Four of us from different parts of the UK formed a group and met online in the evenings – when our children had gone to bed – to review each week’s training session and build a business case for our product: a migraine equivalent of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). This was challenging but exhilarating. I was learning so much and connecting with experts in the field every week.

YES helped me build business analysis skills for the lab. I reviewed what is already in the academic market, finding the gap that our platform can fill and how we can expand as the area of digital imaging develops.

After completing YES, I wanted to develop my understanding of technical strategy. I had found the Business School to be a safe place to speak up and take risks, so when I saw the EPSTL course advertised, I knew it would be a supportive and safe place which suits my learning style at this stage of my career.

EPSTL introduced me to how and why other research institutes implement technical strategies in their unique contexts. Through course content, time to reflect, and access to individuals leading the Technician Career Pathway, I started building a valuable network – one that keeps me connected to the current landscape of technical careers across the UK. More importantly, the psychological safety created within EPSTL’s training space was both refreshing and encouraging.