My first 6 weeks at Structural Adhesives have been an amazing experience already. I feel like I have learned so much in such a limited time and there’s only more to come.
Walking in to the office on my first day, I was met with friendly faces and a team of people eager to help me settle in and learn the ropes. I spent my first two weeks shadowing Jade, our research Chemist currently on maternity leave, and spent time researching the science behind epoxies and the world of adhesives. I also quickly got a sense of the company’s values and their eagerness for innovation and teamwork.
Whilst structural adhesives are a niche, I have quickly come to learn their importance and the almost endless number of industry applications they have. We like to say that “adhesives are no one’s problem until they become the most important problem”. After grasping the basic theories behind adhesives, I went on to learn about the research and development aspect and how projects evolve from day one to a fully developed product.
One of the standout aspects of my placement so far has been the team culture. Working under Sally has already been so beneficial, she is a wealth of knowledge and has almost 25 years of experience at the company. An advantage of being a member of such a small team, is that you can work so closely with everyone and benefit from shared knowledge every day. Everyone has been so eager to share theirs and I have felt very supported from day one. It has also been extremely empowering being a member of a female-only technical team. In an industry traditionally dominated by men, this experience has already been both empowering and eye-opening.
I am gaining experience applying knowledge I learned in my first two years of my Chemistry degree at the University of Leicester, combined with new knowledge I have developed in the previous 6 weeks. I have picked up many new skills – such as quality testing with lab equipment I had never used before, interpreting test results in a new setting, and learning the process of research and development. One of the stand out experiences so far has been the opportunity to test hot bonds, which is a feature of our onsite universal tester. As a part of our research, we are required to pull metal bonds at various temperatures and it has been rewarding being able to observe firsthand how adhesive performance shifts under thermal stress and contribute to real data generation and analysis, rather than just theoretical study. As an additional part of my placement, I’ve successfully completed both manual safety training and first aid training. These sessions have equipped me with essential skills for working safely and responsibly in a laboratory and industrial environment.
Beyond the technical side, I have also felt a level of personal growth already. Having taken over the technical email address, I have experienced what it is like to network with collaborators, buyers and sellers and already set up a few meetings. It has helped me to establish myself in a professional setting and grow more comfortable communicating in this way. Settling into a new routine and adapting to the pace of a completely new industry has pushed me out of my comfort zone in a way I certainly needed. Alongside this, our MD Angela has offered to provide me with any additional training I’d benefit from such as with presentations and networking.
Looking ahead to the next six weeks, I’ve set a few goals. Firstly, I’m eager to begin work on a new development project we’ve just opened. My aim is to complete primary research and formulation development, guided by Sally through the early stages. If all goes well, I will be looking at the primary stages of testing and refining specifications we want for the product. It will be a great opportunity to apply what I’ve learned so far, while contributing to a broader innovation effort within the company. My second goal, alongside my technical work, is to actively build networking experience. I’m looking to do this by attending technical talks, participating in company events, or simply initiating more conversations with colleagues. These interactions will help me understand the broader context of the work we do and offer valuable insights into career paths and the processes of collaboration. Additionally, they’ll help me build confidence in discussing technical topics and presenting my ideas which is something I’ve often struggled with in academic settings. While university has equipped me with technical knowledge, this placement offers the chance to engage in real-world conversations and learn how to express my thoughts clearly and professionally.
I am excited to see what the rest of the placement holds and learn as much as I can during my time here. I can already see the advantages of working for a small, close-knit company and the experience I will gain from this will set me up for my future in a unique way that I likely wouldn’t have had elsewhere.
