At the heart of an organisation is its people. By investing in the career development of our team at LABTEC from 'Day 1," we are working together to create new opportunities for our employees' professional interests and capabilities whilst meeting current and future business needs.

“If you know you are on the right track,
if you have this inner knowledge,
then nobody can turn you off
...no matter what they say.”

Barbara McClintock
Scientist and Cytogeneticist
Awarded 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

The completion of your studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), which enables you to begin your career as a professional, is a major learning milestone and achievement. This educational achievement stands for years of hard work, persistence and trusting yourself as well as the evidence under the microscope. 

Meet Paige, a recent science graduate and member of the team at LABTEC. From an early age, Paige was passionate about logical thinking. Paige has followed her passion by pursuing a scientific career path. We chatted to Paige about her journey and how she has settled into 'lab life' at LABTEC.

1. Since starting as a graduate at LABTEC, what have been some of the key or most rewarding learnings?

Since starting as a graduate at LABTEC, I’ve learnt so much. My first professional role, since completing my university studies, I have gained so much exposure to 'lab life' over the past year at LABTEC.

The most rewarding learning has been using the HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). I use the HPLC every day, which was not the case whilst at university. I have since had the opportunity to calibrate two HPLC machines, which was fun!

2. Describe your typical day at LABTEC?

• Each morning I check data from the 'HPLC run' from the previous day.

• Once data is processed, I write up reports and review.

• Projects are set up for the day – I write up my book for the day, timings, HPLC run, whilst supplementing around other tasks, including AdBlue® (also referred to as Diesel Exhaust Fluid or DEF) and other routine work.

3. We understand you recently finished your Bachelor of Science degree. Why did you choose to study science?

I graduated 6 months ago. The reason I entered science was because I have always had a passion for logic. Throughout high school, I wanted to be an astronomer, which required a strong interest in physics and mathematics.

In Year 12, I realised that I did not enjoy physics. Then it happened in one class, when we had to complete a simple acid-base titration task. I was the only one in the class to achieve the endpoint within around 0.2mL. Knowing that I was better than my classmates and my ability to find the concentration of something was amazing and triggered this desire to keep learning more about chemistry.

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