This Volunteers’ Week, we wanted to shine a spotlight on Helena, a Technical Specialist at the University of Leeds’ School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability and one of our fantastic placement hosts! Read below to learn more about Helena’s experience volunteering with our In2STEM programme last year.
How did you find out about In2scienceUK? Why did you want to get involved with In2STEM?
In2STEM was recommended to me within the university about three years ago. I used to be an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) coordinator, so I have worked with lots of different groups of students and young people. Being a part of the In2STEM programme was the first time I had students who were actually engaged, asking questions and taking part in activities. This year, my colleague Emma and I joined up to host the placement together.
It is really important to me to take part in this programme. I didn’t understand the possibility of lab work when I was growing up; I didn’t know how it worked. I enjoy working with young people from different backgrounds. I didn’t get this opportunity, and I want to give these students the opportunity I didn’t have.
What sort of things did the participants get up to on the placement?
They completed a lab project testing samples from a mock river to analyse data and create a lab report. I worked with my colleagues from the School of Geography who helped the students take samples from the university pond and measure the nitrate rates.
They have worked with our sustainability lecturers to learn about using green space for research and to create a presentation on how to make the campus more sustainable, as well as with a range of technical specialists to learn about topics such as geochemistry.
They were able to speak to a range of people from different backgrounds about their careers, and how they got into them and why. We have also shown them how chemists and physicists all work together here, and they attended a career pathway talk to hear more about different journeys into STEM.
What has the experience meant to you?
Hosting the participants was great. They are looking forward to their careers, and it is nice to explain your career to young people, share your passion and appreciate what it is that you do. It’s nice to show these students what you do – they are so interested in your job and say what you are doing for a living is really cool!
When I went to university, I found it overwhelming and I didn’t know what to do. In2STEM gives them the opportunity to realise that we are just normal people, and that they can approach us and ask questions. It feels nice to give students this opportunity.
In2STEM has broadened the people who are involved in outreach work with the university, and has helped me to encourage colleagues to do more outreach and get involved.
Would you recommend becoming an In2STEM volunteer?
This is my second year as an In2STEM volunteer and I love it! I would host again, and I would definitely recommend it – you get to share your skills and knowledge with young people.
The team at In2scienceUK have been good and swift at replying to emails. The training provided is not too long but is informative, and easy to fit alongside your work and other commitments. It is a really well-run programme, and it’s important. I really enjoy it.
Applications to volunteer for this year’s programme are now closed. However, if Helena’s Volunteers’ Week story has inspired you to get involved, you can register your interest for In2STEM 2027 on our volunteer page.