Pathfinder Career Narratives is an ongoing series tracking the career choices and experiences of doctoral graduates. You can see all of the posts in the series here. You can find all the Pathfinder resources and opportunities here. Today’s blog is written by Dr Jo Montgomery, Science Education Consultant and Scientific Training Manager. You can find out more about Dr Montgomery’s company here.
A career in STEM has afforded me many opportunities and choices and I have responded flexibly to changes. My overall career journey has been varied and interesting, and continues to be so through my portfolio career.
I currently wear a few hats and am involved in several projects: I am a scientist, teacher, trainer and consultant. I love the variety that I have created for myself, bringing together my diverse experiences. I never had a grand career plan. This has meant that I have compromised on climbing one particular ladder, but also means that I get to say yes to myriad things that interest me.
I have always been interested in science, and how the world works, with a particular interest and curiosity for animals and the natural world. Although I studied both sciences and languages at A level, and enjoyed many subjects including History and Art, it was a natural choice for me to pursue a degree in Biological Sciences at University. Through my undergraduate degree, I began to specialise in neurobiology and animal behaviour. An undergraduate research project in mouse reproductive behaviour lit a spark and a passion for research, leading me to gain a scholarship for a summer research project in the rehabilitation of abandoned seal pups, to undertake research into stereotypic behaviour in captive animals and to volunteer at a Veterinary surgery. I went on to study for a PhD in behavioural neuroscience and then did a postdoc in reproductive neuroendocrinology. I loved academia but wasn’t especially interested in running my own group. When I had my first child I took a career break and then worked in preclinical development and clinical trials for a few years.
I have always been involved in the public engagement of science and science communication and when my youngest child started school, I took on the amazing opportunity of running the science outreach and public engagement programme for a pharmaceutical company, inspiring students of all ages with hands-on science workshops, industry visits, careers sessions and tours. Combined with being Chair of Governors for a local Primary School, and working as a swimming instructor, it was time to move from informal education and train to be a teacher. I trained as a primary teacher and taught year 2 and year 4 before specialising in teaching primary science, training teachers and delivering professional development. I missed the academic world and also returned part time to a research adjacent role supporting scientists as part of my portfolio career.
There’s no such thing as a typical day or week for me. I could be developing resources, planning lessons and schemes of work, teaching children, organising conferences and training events, supporting teachers, running workshops, or speaking at conferences or festivals!
I am the founder of Dr Jo Science Solutions and I am currently teaching primary science, delivering workshops, supporting teachers and professional development, working with Primary Science Quality Mark, The Great Science Share for Schools, Primary Science Capital Teaching Approach, STEM Learning, and consulting on children’s TV programmes. I won the Royal Society of Chemistry Excellence in Primary Education Prize and have just finished working behind the scenes on this year’s Royal Institution Christmas Lectures.
Juggling multiple projects can be tricky sometimes and I tend to work long hours. I’ve taken many side steps in my career, which means I haven’t progressed in a traditional, linear fashion but my ‘squiggly career’ path has helped me to develop a diverse skillset and to love what I do. Leadership and success can look different to different people. I’m inspired by many people I work with. I believe that it’s important to find your why, to enjoy your work, to help others and to strive to be the best you can be.
I am passionate about science, education and supporting people at all career stages. I now combine teaching primary science, supporting teachers, developing resources and also training scientists through my role for a research institute as scientific training and data integrity manager. I get to inspire a love of science from the ages of 3 to 103!
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