Jorja Bewick, Research Laboratory Technician

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What I do

I work in the grooming department, developing and testing the chemistry used on razors, like the lubrastrip that helps them glide over your skin.

I look at how different liquids and materials behave when you shave, including how they flow and how they feel.

As part of my job, I sometimes run tests with real people, to see what works best. My work helps make sure shaving products are safe, comfortable and effective.

Research Laboratory Technician Jorja in the lab, wearing a lab coat and protective glasses, using a rheometer.

How I became a technician

For my GCSEs, I chose geography, art and business. At that point, I didn’t have a clear career plan, I just followed what I liked. I then chose to do A-levels in biology, chemistry and geography.

I originally planned to go to university to study biology, I even got an offer, but my parents encouraged me to look into apprenticeships instead.

How I became a technician

I applied for a few apprenticeships and ended up accepting a role with Procter & Gamble.

I started on a Level 3 laboratory technician apprenticeship, which involved working in the lab alongside studying for a HNC (Higher National Certificate) in biology.

How I became a technician

Now I’ve completed that, I’m working towards a Level 5 laboratory scientist qualification, whilst studying for a HND (Higher National Diploma) in biology.

I chose the apprenticeship route because I wasn’t sure university was right for me – it’s a big commitment. I liked the idea of gaining experience and learning, while getting paid.

How I became a technician

Looking back, I have no regrets.

I’ve gained hands-on experience, rotated through different departments and built a wide range of skills over the past two and a half years.

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A typical day in my working life

I usually start work at 7:15am – I like getting in early to avoid the traffic. My day begins by checking my emails and planning what I need to do.

Every day is different. Some mornings I might prepare for a shave test – this involves paperwork, safety checks and getting everything ready. Other days, I observe someone shaving to see how the product performs, which helps us understand how well it works in real life.

A typical day in my working life

In the lab, I might make different formulations, which means creating mixtures of chemicals to test.

I then analyse them using machines like a rheometer – a device that measures how liquids flow and change under pressure. It shows what happens when a razor moves across the skin.

A typical day in my working life

During my previous placement in the Microbiology department, I used equipment like a spectrophotometer, which measures how much light passes through a sample to work out how much bacteria is present.

At the end of the day, I usually spend time analysing data, writing up results and discussing ideas with my supervisor or team. I usually finish around 3:15pm.

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Research Laboratory Technician Jorja in the lab, wearing a lab coat and protective glasses, using a mini traction machine.

What I love about my job

My favourite part is rotating around different departments, so I get to experience the different parts of the business. It means I’m always learning something new and building skills in areas like microbiology and chemistry.

I also really enjoy how varied the job is – it’s never boring. One week I could be working on consumer testing, and another I’m developing products for shaving. That variety keeps things exciting.

Working at Procter & Gamble is great because I’ve been given real responsibility from day one, and the work I do actually matters.

As an apprentice, I’m learning loads on the job and gaining experience while building a career, not just doing a job. People here are really supportive and I really feel valued.

The skills I use most

Communication is really important. I write reports that other people in the company read, so they’ve got to be clear and easily understood. I sometimes present my results to my team, too. Even though I don’t love presenting, it’s a big part of the job.

Problem solving and critical thinking are also important. Things don’t always go to plan in experiments, so I have to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. Patience is another big one – experiments can take time and they need repeating.

As an apprentice, I’m learning loads on the job and gaining experience while building a career, not just doing a job.

It’s okay not to know what you want to do. Just follow what you enjoy and explore your options.

A little more about my everyday role

The best bits about working in a team

I’m grateful to have my colleagues working with me, it means I learn from lots of different people. Everyone has their own skills and experience, so if I get stuck, there’s always someone who can help.

It also means we can share the workload, which makes big projects more manageable and less stressful. Talking through ideas with others often leads to better solutions that I wouldn’t have thought of on my own.

My favourite piece of equipment

I like the spectrophotometer because it’s quite straightforward. It works by shining light through a sample and measuring how much gets through.

This tells me how concentrated bacteria are in a sample. I can then compare results using something called a standard curve, which helps me work out exact amounts.

What I like to do in my spare time

I enjoy art – especially painting and drawing animals or flowers. I use things like acrylic paints, charcoal and oil pastels. It helps me to relax.

I also like baking, which actually links to my job. It’s a bit like formulating in the lab – you follow a recipe and measure everything carefully. I also enjoy badminton and swimming.

My school days

At school, I enjoyed science the most, but I also liked creative subjects like art.

I wasn’t completely sure what career I wanted, so I focused on subjects I found interesting.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

One of my biggest achievements was passing my Level 3 apprenticeship. It was a lot of hard work, so I felt really proud when I completed it.

I also took part in the WorldSkills competition for laboratory technicians. I made it through to the regional stage, which was a great experience and something I’m very proud of.

A surprising fact about my job

I sometimes watch people shave! It sounds a bit strange, but it’s really important for understanding how products perform in real life and how they feel to use.

The next steps in my career journey

After I finish my Level 5 qualification, I’d like to stay at Procter & Gamble and work as a researcher.

In the future, I might also study for a Level 6 degree apprenticeship in biology.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

It’s okay not to know what you want to do. Just follow what you enjoy and explore your options.

Apprenticeships are a great route – you gain experience, earn money and learn at the same time. I’d definitely recommend looking into them and choosing what works best for you.