I’ve been an analyst in a forensic science lab for 4 years now. I also have 3 years experience as a quality control chemist, so I’ve learned some things about working in labs. Here’s 3 tips that have helped me over the years:
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Take lots of notes
One thing you probably learned during science labs in college was the importance of a good notebook. Working on new experiments weekly and remembering what you’ve already done can be hard if you didn’t write things down. That doesn’t change once you start working in a science lab!
If your job doesn’t provide you with a notebook, get yourself one and take notes whenever possible. There’s a LOT to learn and keep track of when working full-time in a science lab. I still look back at old notes sometimes if I’m not sure what to do in certain situations. My notes have also helped when I started training new employees. Some tasks become second nature after a while, so it’s helpful to have written references when teaching someone else.
Wear good shoes
No matter what type of science lab you work in, you’ll probably be on your feet a lot. Wearing good shoes will help keep your feet and legs from hurting during long days. I’ve worn nice shoes that didn’t give me good support, and regretted it by the time I got home.
One sneaker brand I really like for lab work is Clove. They’re made specifically for healthcare workers so you know they’re going to be comfortable and good quality. They’re also easy to clean if you get ~fluids~ spilled on them. (I work with different types of bodily fluids in my lab, so this was a huge benefit to me!) They’re a little pricey but definitely worth it for anyone working in a lab with biohazardous materials. Use my referral link and save $20 on your first pair of Clove sneakers!
Ask questions
Even if you think it’s silly, ask anyway (then write down the answer in your notebook!) Personally, I would much rather have someone ask me a question on what to do before they do it. That’s better than them guessing and doing something wrong, and then I have to come back and fix it later. Sometimes fixes aren’t easy to do, especially when it comes to working with various software programs. If you’re a new lab employee, definitely find a senior technician you feel comfortable asking questions.
Those are three of my tips for working in a lab! Fellow lab employees, what did I miss?
