Mia Jones

What was your journey to getting a job after graduation?

I was fortunate that my route into a graduate role was relatively straightforward. I was delighted to secure a place at my first (and ultimately only) assessment centre. I joined Reckitt through the Future Leaders Scheme which is a three‑year R&D graduate programme made up of three rotations across different functions. Currently, I work as a Product Delivery and Maintenance (PDM) Associate in the Sore Throat team. I support and drive global supply and compliance projects that help ensure Strepsils' portfolio remains available, safe, and fully compliant in global markets.

What does a typical day in your current role look like?

My days vary significantly. Typically, I have several active projects running at once, which can involve preparing and reviewing documentation, conducting investigations, and attending cross‑functional meetings. I also regularly collaborate with my Future Leaders Scheme cohort on our graduate project, which includes discussions with subject‑matter experts and peer working sessions.

How do you feel your course helped to prepare you for your career?

During my Biomedical science course, I chose the Business Enterprise module, which involved collaborating with an industry representative to develop a business proposal for a new product. Now that I’m in industry myself, I can clearly see how valuable this experience was, not only for preparing me for assessment centres, but also for the type of cross‑functional thinking required in my day‑to‑day role. Group working, presentation skills and conducting yourself with professionalism are just some of my additional takeaways from my time at University of Birmingham.

What was the best thing about studying Biomedical Science?

Firstly, the passion and expertise of the academics. I'd encourage people to make the most of it - ask questions, seek guidance, and immerse yourself in their knowledge.

Secondly, the flexibility to choose modules. This allowed me to tailor my learning to my interests and explore different areas. Additionally, the breadth of content. Discovering what you don't enjoy can be just as valuable as discovering what you do. You may not know exactly what you want to do, so studying a broad range of topics helps keep future pathways open.