Page 23 - PERIODIC Magazine Issue 5

days cycling to and from the lab with a tracksuit over my
pyjamas! My work in this area eventually earned me a
BSc – I was the only recipient at the time and had to be
slotted in between the BAs and MAs. BScs were later
discontinued by the University and I was given an MSc. I
enjoyed my Part II and moved to a career on the marketing
side of ICI, where my chemistry background came in useful
when dealing with researchers and technical people since I
‘spoke the language’.

Phil Gamlen (St John’s 1968)

I chose my Part II project (studying the dynamics of
adsorbed molecules using cold neutron scattering) because
my supervisor, John White, was an inspirational scientist of
the first order, and I thought the topic would have practical
relevance for my future career.

It turned out that the science was less relevant than the
experience I gained - what the Part II really did for me
was open the door to ‘Big Science Projects’. I spent
most of my career at ICI in a mix of technical, production
and commercial roles, and it was during my Part II year
lab very late in the evening, setting up the apparatus and that I began to learn the skills of team working, effective
walking to the far corner of the lab, counting my footsteps, negotiation, time planning, and the importance of always
until I reached the light switches. Then I had to return having a Plan B and a Plan C for when things did not go as
in the darkness and try to find by touch the hypodermic hoped! In essence, the Part II started to develop project
syringe containing a saturated solution of potassium management skills, and in particular the crucial ‘soft’ skills.
cyanide, without actually touching the point of the needle. I Companies will formally train staff in these competencies,
subsequently abandoned a career in chemistry for a safer but having done a Part II gave me a head start.
one in economics.
Martin Blaiklock (Keble 1962)
Barbara Young (nee Clifford, St Anne’s 1957) After Oxford and a brief spell at Shell, I began a career in
The reference in the last issue of Periodic to the DP’s project finance. I quickly found that the analytical skills and
nickname being ‘the firehouse’ did not surprise me as attention to detail that I learned in Chemistry came into their
smoking was (amazingly) allowed in the labs in spite of all own, and I have enjoyed a rich and diverse working life that
the flammable liquids around. It also reminded me of the allowed me to travel the world.
day when one of the Part II students threw his fag end into Looking at my current College prospectus for Chemistry
the bin under the sink. Unfortunately the bin also contained I note that it says that: “choosing to study Chemistry at
a quantity of used filter papers soaked in organic solvents. Oxford is not a vocational choice. Importantly, Chemistry is
Inevitably these immediately caught fire and flames leapt a numerate discipline and use of computers and IT skills are
up his front to considerable consternation and not a little of core importance. More than this, the course at Oxford
amusement of those of us working nearby. Luckily he did provides a general training and the development of a wide
not come to any harm but neither did he give up smoking! range of key skills including writing, interpreting data,
and constructing and presenting arguments; this allows
graduates to enter a huge variety of professions”.
Bill Ferguson (Keble 1952)
For those like myself, how true this has been. The
I went up to Keble after my National Service and did my Part underlying education process, as presented by the staff
II with Harry Irving in the ICL, looking at the isomerisation in the Chemistry Department, is second to none, and the
of S-methyl dithizone. As I needed to take readings every range of experiences and successes of the alumni are proof
4 hours over a period of 120 hours I spent an exciting five of that.

23
Periodic
The Magazine of the Department of Chemistry