Profile
Sarah Davidson
My CV
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Education:
I went to Loreto Grammar School in Altrincham, where I did GCSEs and A-Levels
I went to the University of Sheffield, where I did a Master’s Degree in Chemistry with a Year in Industry
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Qualifications:
- 12 GCSEs: Maths, Further Maths, English Language, English Literature, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography, Spanish, Religious Studies, ICT, Music.
- BTEC in STEM leadership
- 5 A Levels: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Psychology, General Studies
- Extended Project Qualification: “To investigate the link between the colour of a football team’s shirt and their success in the sport.” This involved conducting independent research, analysis, producing a written report and presenting my findings.
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Work History:
Graduate Research Scientist, Croda Europe Limited, Hull in 2020
- I worked at another one of Croda’s labs making new chemicals using all of the chemistry knowledge I had gained during my degree.
Graduate Applications Scientist, Croda Europe Limited, Cowick Hall in 2018
- I worked in Croda’s labs testing engine oils to see how well they greased the engines of cars so they ran more efficiently.
Industrial Placement Student, Crown Packaging PLC, Wantage in 2016
- Carried out a 12-month industrial placement with Crown (specialists in metal packaging) as part of the Master’s degree programme. I tested the contents of different types of cans of food and drinks to see what chemicals they contained.
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Current Job:
Group Sustainability Coordinator – R&T, Croda International PLC, Cowick Hall
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About Me:
I live in Sheffield, in Yorkshire with my partner. I am originally from Manchester and love football and music 🎶
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In my spare time I enjoy going to see live bands 🎸 and for walks in the countryside 🌄 I like to keep fit by doing Pilates and Yoga nearly every day, which is something I started doing in lockdown. I am an avid reader, and am part of a book club with some of my girl friends in Sheffield 📖
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In my job I think about how we can make our products more sustainably, including using renewable materials and safer processes without polluting the atmosphere. I have to think about where the materials we use come from – for example can we get them from plants or from oil from deep underground? How we change them into the end product – can we do this at low temperatures, using safe chemicals? And how our customers use them – are they making a toothpaste to help people keep their teeth clean; or are they making medicines to help make people better? I have to make sure that we make the best choices for the planet along the way.
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My Typical Day:
In my typical day, I log onto my computer at around 8am and spend time talking to my colleagues. After having a break for lunch, I often have to write reports or do some calculations.
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I spend lots of time speaking to people all around the world about the products they are making and how they can be more sustainable. Every now and then I go to the lab or to do the factory to see how things are made. Often this means thinking about chemistry and science to understand how the product is formed.
I then help my colleagues find new ways of making things, in a way which is better for the environment. The I have to write reports about this and send these all over the world. I also need to do some calculations to show how new options are better.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
If I won the money, I would spend it on creating a programme to teach children at school about sustainability.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Lover of sustainability and science
What did you want to be after you left school?
I wanted to be a scientist in the lab
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Oasis
What's your favourite food?
Lasagne
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
For To be rich
Tell us a joke.
What should you do if no one laughs at your chemistry jokes? Keep telling them until you get a reaction.
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