I Got Hired: Jaime

Posted on: 4 November 2024 by Richard Finch in Class of 2023

Jaime Lowe is a Class of 2023 Biochemistry graduate who is now working as a Technical Business Assistant at Holiferm.

How did you hear about your role and decide to apply for it?

I was looking to find a placement for the Summer between my second and third year at university. I wanted to get some experience in the biochemical industry, in line with the Biochemistry degree I was undertaking.

I found it was quite hard to find a placement in larger companies in the industry due to such high volumes of applicants. I started to look at smaller start-up companies based around the Liverpool area, and found Holiferm, a 3-year-old start-up company at that time, producing sophorolipid biosurfactants.

After contacting the managing director at Holiferm, I was offered an eight-week placement with them for the summer.

I thoroughly loved my placement with Holiferm. I was given an insight into what it would be like to work in an exciting start-up company, where no day was the same. I was welcomed into the environment by every person, and found it to be such a happy, collaborative environment where I loved going to work each day.

I was excited by the Holiferm mission in wanting to bring bio-based products to market, hoping to be a part of a change in the chemical industry away from fossil fuels and petrochemical use to more sustainable alternatives. I knew this was a company I would love to work at in the future, which is why I decided to apply for a permanent role there once I graduated.

How did you get to where you are now?

During my placement with Holiferm, I spent time analysing sustainability for the company, looking into their current strategy and whether carbon offsetting options were appropriate as a part of this strategy. I also worked on getting verified sustainability ratings for them and then continued to do this on a freelance basis during my final year at university.

When I was graduating, I applied for a permanent role in the company. I went through a thorough application process and was given a graduate role, working in different areas of the business."

Your favourite experience as part of your role?

My favourite experience has been getting to know the many different areas of the business, including sustainability, HSE, procurement, QAQC and commercial. I have learnt so much working alongside people in the whole company, which has allowed me to see the areas of the business that I really enjoy and want to continue to work in.                         

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

The period when you are finishing University and are starting to look at life after graduation can be very challenging and scary. It is important that you don’t put too much pressure on securing a job as soon as you graduate, it can be a very long process to find the right role for you.

Top 3 Tips for current students and graduates:

1. I highly recommend doing placements and getting work experience. This can open many doors for you, whether it be in that company or at others in the industry. You will have more of an idea of the role you would like to go into after university. It is also great to put on your CV and talk about when you are applying for job roles.
2. Be very open to trying every opportunity that comes your way and welcome the opportunity to learn something new. Don’t close yourself off to one particular job role that you have in mind as you may turn down opportunities that would also be great for you. You won’t know whether you enjoy something until you try it!
3. Enjoy every moment at university when you are there! It goes so fast and you’ll be graduating before you know it!

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