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Shivonne Cracknell

Clinical Apprentice, LifeScan Scotland Ltd, Inverness

Shivonne is a Life Science Modern Apprentice, currently working in a Quality Assurance and product testing laboratory. She also has experience of working in a microbiology laboratory in the whisky industry.

 
5 things you do regularly in your job
  • Setting up Clinical Studies across different UK sites
  • Blood Testing both with blood glucose monitors and laboratory equipment
  • Working with diabetic patients
  • Working with other departments like R&D and Quality Assurance on one-off projects
  • Supporting the Quality Laboratories with their testing
What made you decide to do this type of job? (teacher/ role model etc) I’ve loved science since I was little – when I was in primary school my Mum got me a microscope for Christmas!  I’ve always been interested in reasons and how things work, and especially in the natural world, and in school my teachers encouraged this.  I’ve always wanted to do a job where I feel I’m doing good at some level, helping people - and diabetes treatment/research is somewhere I feel I’m getting that!
How did you get to where you are now? Not by the traditional route anyway!  When I left school I took a gap year in New Zealand before starting an Environmental Science degree.  It wasn’t long before I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do so I dropped out.  A couple of years later I started on a Natural Science degree but depression forced me to abandon it.  I’ve done a variety of jobs – call centres, bookseller, facilities management, but always kept an eye on science.  I saw a job advert for a Life Science Modern Apprenticeship, and jumped at the chance.  It’s not the way I imagined getting into science but it’s the best option for me (and I think one of the best ways for anyone!) – and one I wish I’d had years ago.
What motivates you? Getting things right.  I’m a perfectionist (which isn’t always a good thing!) and I also like to know that I’m making a difference in some small way.  I mean, I really enjoyed being a bookseller and doing facilities management, but they weren’t helping people the way that working for a diabetes treatment company does!
Any other info? E.g. activities you have done with schools, what you can offer schools etc. I have helped with Lab in a Lorry a couple of times now.  I have also supported Aspire North and Bridge to Employment events.  I have also helped with the RSC Chemistry at Work event in St Andrews.
I can also offer insight for pupils to a great route into science that they may never have considered before, especially those who may not think of themselves as university material.