Sarah Woods
What is your current job / programme of study? 
PhD student
Which A-Levels (or equivalent) did you do?
Music, Dance and Theatre studies
Why you chose a career in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)?
I worked for a small plastic recycling company identifying and sorting plastics ready for mechanical recycling and extrusion. I particularly enjoyed using crude methods of materials testing, such as touch, to identify the materials and from this experience wanted to become a plastics scientist. I then came to Loughborough university and completed a foundation year in science and engineering followed by a bachelor’s degree in Materials engineering.
What did you enjoy most about your MSE course?
I like how materials overlaps into lots of disciplines.
What is your research about?
I study plastics made from renewable feedstocks (lactic-acid).
What is the coolest thing you have done in your career so far?
The first time I was referred to as a scientist was a pretty cool moment.
What do you see yourself doing in the future?
I want to work in research.
What is your favourite material (and why)?
Plastics. It is such a versatile material!
What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
Don’t worry about not knowing what you want to do as a career. You will figure it out.
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