Leena Ravindra
By Leena Ravindra, second year BSc Pharmacology
When I first started university, I had no idea what I wanted to do. It sometimes felt like everyone else had their career plans figured out while I was left with a big question mark.
But I’ve come to realise that not knowing is perfectly fine — in fact, there’s no better place to explore your career options than at university.
At first, I made the mistake of only looking for opportunities related to my degree. I thought everything I did had to fit perfectly into my field. That approach left me feeling disappointed and stuck. Eventually, I learned that the best way to start is simply to start somewhere — even if it’s not directly linked to your course.
A starting point
My first step was volunteering at the British Heart Foundation as a retail assistant. It was my first experience outside my degree, and it turned out to be incredibly rewarding. I learned to communicate with people from all walks of life, handle customers, and work as part of a team. It also made me realise how much I enjoy roles where I can interact with others, help people, and see the positive impact of what I do.
I completed an internship at a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, thinking it would be the perfect fit for me. But working in the quality assurance department helped me realise that the technical, detail-oriented environment wasn’t something I enjoyed as much as I expected.
I also volunteered as a church teacher for children, which taught me patience, responsibility, and how to adapt my communication style depending on who I was working with, a process I really fell in love with.
Each experience acted like an elimination process, helping me figure out what I liked and what I didn’t. I realised that even the roles I didn’t want to pursue still added something valuable — new skills, new insights, and a better understanding of myself.
Finding direction through experience
Now, in my second year, I’ve discovered that opportunities come in many forms — not just the ones directly tied to your degree. Every small step adds value. Along the way, my CV has grown stronger, not just with roles and experiences, but with the skills behind them:
- communication
- teamwork
- adaptability
- customer service
- confidence
One thing that has really helped me is using the university's Careers and Employability Service. You can:
I’m still exploring, and I don’t have all the answers yet — and that’s okay.
Through different experiences, I’ve learned more about what motivates me and what doesn’t. University isn’t just about finding the “right” career path immediately; it’s about discovering possibilities, building skills, and growing along the way. Every new step makes the next one a little clearer.
As well as visiting the webpages above, also check out our webpages on choosing a career and talk to an adviser.
Posted on Thursday 30th October 2025