Laboratory Technician
Dudzai is a Quality Control Laboratory Technician at MSD Animal Health
I work in the quality control team at a company that makes the medicines vets prescribe for your pets. I work in the laboratory, testing vaccines and other medications to make sure they’re safe for animals. My job helps keep animals healthy and makes sure vets can trust the medicines they use, and that the animals won’t be harmed by taking them.
I love learning something new every day. Before I worked here, I had no idea jobs like this existed. It’s amazing to realise just how much work goes into making a single vaccine. I get to use proper lab equipment that I never thought I would be able to use and I also love the people. My team is full of brilliant mentors who are really supportive. It’s a great place to learn and grow, it was a big step going straight from sixth form into work but I’ve loved it.
I use lots of hands-on practical skills, like handling lab equipment correctly and making sure everything is kept sterile. I also have to be precise, like when I’m using a microscope to check cells, or doing data analysis to check if results fall within safe limits. IT skills are important too, as we use computers for communication and planning. Plus, I use teamworking and problem-solving skills all the time, to make sure everything gets done safely and correctly.
My team is small, with five senior technicians and I’m the junior technician. Everyone is really helpful and encouraging, we share tasks and support each other to make sure everything’s covered. Working with people who have lots of experience helps me learn faster and gives me the confidence to try new things.
I’m teaching myself to become a DJ! I got curious one day and just decided to try it. I bought a deck, speakers and a headset. It’s noisy, so I’ve had to turn the volume down at home! I’ve also picked up playing the recorder again. I love trying new things and listening to all types of music depending on my mood.
The most exciting thing has been learning new skills and techniques that I never imagined doing. I can now do different types of tests , like in vitro testing (testing cells in a petri dish) and cell counts, as well as use different methods for preparing and analysing cells. I even learned how to count parasite cells from chicken poo, to help make a vaccine for a bird disease called coccidiosis. It sounds weird, but it’s been really exciting!
Even though I work with medicines for animals, I’ve never actually had a pet! People assume I must have loads, if I was to get one I’d probably just get a fish – nice and easy to look after.
I’m thinking about doing another apprenticeship after I complete this one, maybe in project management or even a degree-level apprenticeship in science. I’ve already started applying and I’m open to different paths, as long as I can keep learning and growing.
I’d definitely tell them to do an apprenticeship because you don't build up debt and you get to earn money too - it's the best thing really. And for people my age who are thinking of driving and buying cars, it’s great to be able to earn money you can put towards these things. You’re also getting to build a great career, and when you finish your apprenticeship, you have the chance to continue and do another apprenticeship at a higher level or even in another area .
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