Penman Consulting is growing.
In 2017/18 we have had 12 new team members.
But how else do we grow?
We believe in investing in the development of our employees.
Jamie Dunn, a Junior Toxicologist, is one team member who is currently studying part-time.
We asked Jamie some questions about his study and his current position:
- What are your current position and the scope of your work?
“My current role in the company is as a Junior Toxicologist but the scope of my job means I can do everything from dealing with REACH regulatory and registration issues to scrutinising study reports, trying to find the key information. Additionally, I tend to be the “go-to” guy for substance identity and composition issues, though this was not planned!”
- What have you previously studied?
“Originally I studied for a bachelor’s degree (BSc (Hons)) in Pharmacology at the University of Manchester. I focused my time on neuropharmacology particularly and my interest in neuroscience still stands.”
- What are you studying now and why did you choose it?
“I’m currently doing a part-time MSc Toxicology at the University of Birmingham. I chose to study toxicology primarily because I knew it would help me with my work. I read study reports and work with toxicological testing strategies so I thought it would be very beneficial to refine my scientific knowledge. I also wanted to continue learning and, given the similarity between toxicology and pharmacology, I knew I would enjoy it. In addition to the industrial relevance I have a few personal interests in toxicology too, including the SAVE programme (Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction), which sets out to fully understand the man-made toxicological disaster that has decimated vulture populations by up to 98%, and the brain and nervous system as a target for toxicity.”
- How does studying part-time effect your working life?
“Studying for the master’s degree has made my working life much more intense but I feel my organisational skills have improved a lot, and very quickly. I have also been applying what I’ve learned academically to try and resolve toxicological strategies in a creative way. Studying and working in the industry is tough and requires hard-work, long days and commitment, but I enjoy the challenge and I enjoy the experience!”
Conclusion
The chemical industry is constantly growing and it is crucial that organisations, especially consultants, grow with it to meet the needs of clients. Investing in employee development is one of the most effective ways to do this and is one of the core values of Penman Consulting.
Keep an eye out for more news on our employees and their development!