I’ve always had the greatest respect for technicians, working behind the scenes at school and as a student where they were a great support and source of department gossip! However, I wouldn’t say that being a technician was my original career goal. After completing a PhD I wanted to stay in academia, but never felt that my future lay down the academic path. Even after starting as Experimental Officer, I considered myself to be more of a senior postdoc who happened to keep the lab running. Over time though, the role has changed. I still support the research labs, but I am now more focused in my day-to-day duties.
Blog: Creating a greater sense of community for technicians across departments
Graeme McAllister, University of York
In 2016, I decided to apply for professional registration. To be honest, I couldn't tell you the precise reason, beyond the fact I quite fancied the letters after my name! I'd be lying if I said it was a straightforward process. The application form is quite daunting and it took me a couple of attempts, but now that I have the award, it's not an onerous task to maintain. In fact, the main benefit for me has been the encouragement it gives to pursue CPD activities I wouldn't normally have done. I now have Chartered Scientist (CSci) in my sights, and plan on working towards that level this year.
Two years ago, responsibility for the TechYork network (previously run by technical managers) was handed to a team of technicians, myself included. We are now using this platform to increase the visibility of technical specialists in our own departments, across the institute, as well as to one another. This is done through a combination of networking and social events, training courses and conferences. I have noticed a greater sense of community across the institute since the advent of the Technician Commitment and TechYork.
In fact I have got to know more technicians from other departments in the last 2 years than in the 17 years previous!
There’s still a way to go, but it’s my opinion that the technical community here at York is now appreciating its position in to a greater extent in the grand scheme of things.
While I wouldn’t exactly say that I have a 5-year plan (who knows what will happen), I feel I am in a better place to think about it.
About Graeme
Graeme is an experimental Officer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of York. He completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Glasgow, before moving to York as a Research Associate in 1999. Graeme was encouraged to apply to be an Experimental Officer in 2001. Nearly 20 years later, he’s still enjoying the role.
Read Graeme’s full blog post at https://www.york.ac.uk/staff/working/tech-york/tech-stories/graeme-mcallister/.
TechYork Twitter: @UofYTechs
Personal Twitter: @maccagraeme
