When Medicine Says No, Build Your Own Path!

In this episode of The Student Guide, Jeffrey chats with Anjelina Manase, a neuroscience student and founder of LifeSci Connect. They discuss the importance of parental support in education, transitioning from medicine to neuroscience, and the limitless career opportunities in life sciences. Anjelina shares insights on her organisation, LifeSci Connect, which helps life science students find internships and placements. The episode also touches on the significance of global health, the challenges and motivation behind running a business while studying, and practical advice for students feeling stuck about their future career paths. Don't miss Anjelina's valuable tips and inspiring journey!

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Chapters

• 0:00 The Importance of Parental Support in Education
• 0:43 Introduction to The Student Guide
• 1:35 Meet the Guest Speaker: Anjelina, Neuroscience Student
• 2:27 44 Questions Segment: Who Would You Be If Failure Was Not an Option?
• 5:00 Growing Up Multicultural and Career Aspirations
• 5:46 The Journey to Neuroscience and Overcoming Challenges
• 11:03 Introducing LifeSci Connect
• 12:13 The Inspiration Behind LifeSci Connect
• 19:32 The Role of Friends and Support Systems
• 22:32 Treasure Talks: The Significance of Journaling
• 26:08 Balancing University, Work, and Passion Projects
• 33:17 Advice for Navigating Career Choices and Motivation
• 37:14 Delays Aren't Denials
• 37:39 Swapping Roles: Anjelina's Questions
• 37:59 Survival Essentials
• 41:18 Advice for Starting a Hobby Project or Business
• 44:07 Utilising Resources and Networking
• 51:53 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
• 1:03:25 MC of the Month: Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship
• 1:07:55 Outro and Upcoming Events

Transcript

[00:00:00] I feel like a lot more of parents need to be more, um, supportive in what like their children do. Mm-hmm. Especially when it comes to doing something that they enjoy, especially like with within education, because education is tough. Mm. Do you know what I mean? Like from GCSC is up to university, it is just stress.

Stress. But once you actually enjoy what you do, like you are gonna thrive in it because you're gonna put in that effort a 

hundred percent. 

So, yeah. No, I totally, I definitely 

agree. And I feel like you said that, um, yeah, even like. There, there will always come points within your, and it also, like I said, like applies for when you like, get out of work bec uh, like get outta uni.

You're looking for jobs.

Oh, hello everyone. Hope you're doing well. Hope you're looking after yourselves. Welcome to another episode of The Student Guide, episode eight. To Be in fact, uh, we are slowly approaching the end of this season, but don't worry, there are exciting things coming with new announcements, uh, on the way. Uh, so yeah, keep an eye on space.

Uh, we are, as you can see, recording around [00:01:00] December. Uh, this episode may or may not come out before the end of this year. Uh, but yes, I'm in my Christmas Trumper. Uh, you'll see me in different Christmas Trumpers for all the recordings in December. Uh, but enough about me, uh, we are here with another amazing guest speaker talking about another amazing topic.

Uh, and as you know, I love the sciences. That's where my educational background is. Uh, so we are back to talk more. About the sciences with another amazing guest speaker. But as you know, I don't like doing introductions because I think it's important and necessary that we hear from these amazing individuals themselves.

So instead, I'm gonna hand over to today's guest speaker. Could we know a bit more about you and what you do? 

Hi, um, my name is Angelina and I am a neuroscience student at KHL University. Um, I love science, which is why I teach neuroscience so good. Um, I, I am from South Sudan, um, parents both from South Sudan, but was born in the Netherlands.

Moved here when I was about six years old. [00:02:00] And, um, yeah, basically been here for the rest for the whole. Whole of my life. Yeah. Only 22 years old. But, um, yeah, I also have a organization called Lifestyle Connect, and that helps life science students as well find like internships, placements, just really try to get into, um, the industry with their science degrees.

So 

yeah. That's wonderful. Uh, and we will be learning more about Lifestyle Connect in just a moment. Uh, when we first start off with the first segment of the episode, 44 questions brought to you by the amazing Amanda from 44 words. Uh, and she has reviewed her questions, she's reviewed your, your bio. Um, and the question she would like to ask you is, uh, who would you be if failure was not an option?

Who, who would I be if failure was not an option? 

So if you could never fail, um, yeah. Who would you be? What would you be doing? [00:03:00] Would you be on the same path now? Something different, the question. Whichever way you wanna answer it. 

Cool. Who would I be a failure was not an option. So I feel like I have an idea in my head of a person who I would want to be if like being scared wasn't a thing or if, um, money wasn't an issue.

So I feel like I would be a girl boss, you know what I mean? Like someone, um, just inspiring the youth. 'cause I feel like, um, especially like people like my age, like people in the same like situation as me, I feel like there's a lot of stigma about us being quite lazy or maybe just not, um, doing

the most, like, doing like, um, completing things to our full potential. So I feel [00:04:00] like I would be. Someone that's, oh, yeah. I feel like I would just be someone that's like not scared to be in front of a tv. Mm-hmm. Like speak out and actually, um, yeah. Like, just own something. Yeah. I think that makes sense.

Yeah. I mean, I mean, the funny thing is it's not like you are that far from doing it anyways. 

It's a learning process though, because I feel like I'm not far from it, but I think I still have very many, like, barriers that I need to break down. And if I were, if failure wasn't an option, I know all of those barriers would've been broken down a long time ago.

Do you know what I mean? But Yeah. Yeah. 

Oh, thank you. Um, we will go onto the first question of the episode. Uh, yeah. Which is essentially us learning a bit more about you. Uh, so based on the bio you provided, we've, uh, come up with some questions and we're starting off with, uh, essentially. [00:05:00] Growing up, uh, in the uk.

So as you mentioned, you were born in the Netherlands, you are from South Sudan. Um, which kind of means that you've got like a almost like multicultural experience 'cause uh, that's like three different cultures already there. Um, and you know, I think for a lot of people, you know, uh, I know my sisters included, uh, they, they, they were encouraged, no, I wouldn't say false, but encouraged, um, to steer towards, you know, medicine as an ideal path of their career and, you know, go into, you know, being doctors and things like that.

Yeah. Um, so what would you, so the question is what was it like when that door wasn't opened and how did it reframe your, your future essentially, if that, if that makes sense. And a bit more context into, if you could learn a bit more context into your, I guess, journey into life sciences. 

Cool. So, um, basically how I, how I feel about not getting into medicine.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. Cool. Um. So, yeah, so medicine I feel like is very much pushed in an African household. [00:06:00] Mm-hmm. Same as like law or, um, dentistry. Um, and when I didn't get in it into it, um, I was like crushed. Like I was super, like even the process before, um, medicine, like A Levels and actually doing the UCA exam, like I was really so stressed and I was like, is this something that I really wanna put myself through to get to medicine?

And then having obviously your parents in the back saying, yeah, like, you need to, you should do it, you should do it. Um, it was, it was a lot of pressure and when I didn't get into it, I was quite, I was very confused in what else I wanted to do, um, with my life. And I felt like, oh, I'm, um, disappointed in my mom.

I disappointed my dad and, um. Yeah, like it was, it was, it was a very stressful time I could say. Um, now looking back at it, I don't think, it was obviously not the end of the world and I got through [00:07:00] it. Um, and like it all worked out. And obviously that's why I did, um, neuroscience because I found out that medicine doesn't just mean like you have to be a doctor.

Like you don't have to go to medicine, medical school to, um, be able to help people or have an effect in healthcare. And when I found out, um, what neuroscience was, 'cause I knew what neuroscience was, but I didn't know that it was a degree that I could actually take. When I found out what neuroscience was, it was, it was probably like one of the best days because it was like almost, I'm actually really interested in this and I'm able to take it.

And when I actually, like first year, I loved the course. Like I literally loved everything, um, within it. So it worked out. I'm glad I didn't see medicine, so. Yeah. Yeah. 

That's really interesting. And I think like one thing that I've taken from your story is sort of like the importance of not letting a a no limit you.[00:08:00] 

Yeah. Because like you said, like you never would've like gone into like neurosciences if medicine and you know, like you said, you know, maybe if you did get into medicine you wouldn't have enjoyed it. Yeah. You would've been like, oh my gosh, this is the worst, but I'm already here so I've just gotta like tough it out.

Um, but I think that speaks for like a lot of students, so I know even for like myself, um, when I was doing my, or like when I was picking my degree at uni, I was like, I wanna do something that is, uh, one that is open as a degree. So it doesn't sort of like force me to only be in one industry. Yeah. Um, but also something that allows me to, like links to some, like a subject that I like.

Mm-hmm. Because I think one thing that my parents sort of like instilled in me and my siblings was at the end of the day. Like whether it's a job, whether it's like your degree Yeah. Whether it's an A level, whatever. You're gonna basically get to a stage where even if you love the topic, you will not like it because maybe you've got loads of coursework, you've got loads of deadlines.

Yeah, definitely. You've got a really like harsh lecturer, like whatever it [00:09:00] is, they'll get to a point where you won't like it and they'll just like, if you don't like the, what you're studying or the job you're working in, that's when you're gonna turn around and be like, oh, my day is like, what have I been doing?

Yeah. 

Um, whereas if you do like it, you'll be like, yes, this is tough, but I know like once this tough period goes or like I get past this hurdle. Yeah. 

I'm gonna 

go back to the fun stuff that I'm doing. Um, so I think, like you said, like it's really clear even from that, that like, hey, you know, medicine didn't, wasn't necessarily like medicine didn't open up, but something else came and it's actually the thing you really enjoy, which is really important.

Yeah. Um, 'cause yeah, I feel like not a lot of people know that. No, 

that's literally great. And I'm so like. I feel like a lot more of parents need to be more, um, supportive in what like their children do. Mm-hmm. Especially when it comes to doing something that they enjoy, especially like with within education, because education is tough.

Mm-hmm. Do you know what I mean? Like from GCSE is up to university, it is just stress. Stress. But once you actually enjoy what you do, like you are gonna thrive in it because you're gonna [00:10:00] put in that effort a 

hundred percent. 

So yeah, no, I totally, I 

definitely agree. And I feel like you said that, um, yeah, even like there, there will always come points within your, and it also, like I said, like applies to when you like get out of work.

Like yeah. Outta uni you're looking for jobs because they're not like, even in any of the jobs I've done in, within my career, like. It's not that every part of the job I've enjoyed, like a hundred percent. There's some points where I'm just like, this is the most boring thing ever. Or like, I'm like, why am I working on this task?

Like, it's really stressful. This is this. Um, but like you said, because I enjoyed those jobs, I was like, you know what? I'm gonna keep going. I'm gonna like, exactly. It is gonna get better. Things are gonna get fun. Um, and I think that's a, like, it links to like the whole idea of like perseverance and like, it is a good, it's a good thing to learn when you are younger because when you do go into the job force and you are doing like a career like.

You will get to a point where you will just be like, this is kind of tough. Exactly. Um, and being able to be like, actually, you know what, like, [00:11:00] yeah, it's tough, but I really enjoy what I do. So important. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. We'll go on to the next question, um, which is talking about this amazing thing that you've created called Lifecycle Connect.

Um, now you mentioned that you used it, uh, it exists, sorry, to help life science students who, you know, may be feeling lost, they don't necessarily know or know about or how to get the skills that the industry is looking for them. Uh, and we're gonna start off this question before I read out the full question, uh, with our mic check, which is a fact figure or story that's related to the topic that we're talking about.

And today's one is all around, uh, an interesting study that came, uh, about, so according to recent UK data, only one in 10 life science graduates go into industry roles that directly match their training within their first year post-graduation. And you know, this clearly highlights the importance of lifestyle connect.

And my question to you based on all of this, was what was the defining moment? That you realized that, you know, something like life side, uh, connect needed to exist and you needed to essentially take [00:12:00] this opportunity to build it. And then my follow up question is 

mm-hmm. 

How was that journey? How did you get it off the ground?

Um, yeah, how, how was it going from like, the idea stage to actually like bringing this thing to life? 

Yeah. Okay. So it was, so before what I do now, so I'm a clinical data manager now. Um, for my placement year I was doing security work to just basically survive, right? And in the summer, um, I was doing 12 hour shifts, like back to back, like wake up at eight, home at eight, back in at eight.

Do you know what I mean? Like, it was just happening. Um, I think it was like six days a week. 'cause it was an agency role. Mm-hmm. And they didn't really care. Mm-hmm. Um, how much rest you get. Mm-hmm. They just wanted the job done. Right. So, um, yeah. So I was doing that and on top of that I was having to think about.

My career and why I am gonna be in like 10 years time and, um, about university. And as much as I do [00:13:00] love neuroscience, um, not a lot of people talk about the jobs that you can do with it except from like clinical, except for me, like a scientist for example, which I didn't see myself going into 'cause I wasn't a fan of the lab.

Like, I don't mind the lab, but like I wasn't the greatest fan. I didn't see myself doing that long term. So, um, one day I was sitting down after doing like laps around the university campus, like my feet were literally like, so, and I was like, you know what? This is enough. Like, like someone needs to do something about it.

And it's been so long that no one has done anything about it. I'm sure by the time I finish university no one else is gonna do anything about it. So I was like, yeah, like let me do something about it. And that's where I was. Thinking. Um, that's why I thought, let me make a platform where students can learn about the [00:14:00] different opportunities within their career.

'cause when I, when I did have times on my time, on my hand as well, like, um, during the shift, I was like looking at different career roles I could go into. And there were quite a few with like, um, my degree. And so, so I genuinely wanted to just like let all the students know, like, there's this and there's that.

And, um, I thought the, the best way to do that is through social media. Mm-hmm. Because a lot of students are on social media and I feel like day in the life, if you saw a day in the life about, um, a law student or an economic student, you'd be like to captivate it and say, oh my gosh, they're like earning maybe a lot of money.

Or they have this specific lifestyle. And there wasn't much about that on life science students. Like, about, um, a clinical data manager, for example, or a, um. Even a lab technician. There isn't like a lot about that, a lot on that. So yeah, that's why I decided to start Lifecycle X. And your second question, my second question 

was, how was it, um, like bringing it to life?

Like, so [00:15:00] you've come up with the idea. Mm-hmm. You've seen like, you know, this needs to exist. Um, what was the like lead up to not only existing, but maybe like, 'cause how long has it been around for? 

It's been around for two years. Wow. But I've only just started like, properly, like last this year? Yeah. This year somehow.

Okay. Um, so I guess it's how, how's the, the, like first two years been? Um, and now that you've like, you know, properly launched it, you're like, you want to get more momentum behind it. Um, I, I need to see if that, no, we don't have a question about the future of it. So I guess a follow up to that would be like, explaining the journey from like.

Two years ago to now. Yeah. And then maybe also what the next two years you would like it to look like. 

Cool. So, um, how it started was literally like my iPad. So, um, during like the 12 hour shifts, um, like you'd just be doing laps. You'd just be walking and walking and walking. And then like, if you [00:16:00] found a little time, like you can sit down, you can like s newly sit down and hide away.

So obviously I just had my iPad and um, first thing I did was like, um, message my friends. I was like, guys, I have this idea. And they were like, oh my gosh, yeah, dad's actually really cool. Like, what can we call this? And then we, like, were brainstorming in the group chat and they came up with Lifestyle Connect and I was like, okay, cool.

Like I love the sound of this, um, to my iPad. Literally just started drawing a logo. Mm. And from there created a LinkedIn account. Um, didn't do TikTok yet, or didn't do any of like, the mainstream social medias. 'cause I was so scared. I was so, so scared. Um, so that's kind of how it started. Um, when, as it was, I don't wanna say growing, but as time went on, I did kind of abandon it because university stress came [00:17:00] into, um, the picture and I was like, this is too much work.

Like, it's too much work, it's hectic and I don't know if I can balance doing this, um, project as well as university and as well also trying to focus on applying placements for myself. 

Mm-hmm. 

Um, when I did, um, finally pick it up this year, um, I really said. Like, just go for it. Like I just took away all of that, like negativity and that thought of um, what everyone might think from my head.

And I was like, you know what Angelina like, just go for it because this is the future that you want to, um, be building. 'cause it is actually really meaningful to me. 'cause like it actually means something to me. It's not something that is just a, it's not just a business idea. This is something that genuinely needs to change within the education industry.

So I felt passionate about it. So, um, yeah, I just said, let me just do it and I continued. 

Alright. Uh, [00:18:00] what will the next two years look like? 

Um, the next two years I do hope to, um, get Life Sci Connect,

reaching thousands of students. Like we're doing more already. We have reached thousands of students, but I wanted to reach like so many other students because I feel like, um. I get emails every day saying, oh, um, I wish I had this when I was back in university. And I don't want students to miss out on, um, on the content lifestyle.

Connect does give, hopefully we'll have a bigger team. We already have a team, which is great. And they're all, yeah, they're literally doing fantastic, which is good. Um, and then hopefully like in the long term, we would be able to start, um, giving company, giving companies like these students, like showing these, um, companies that life science students can do consultancy roles, for example, or a [00:19:00] business roles.

Like we can do that because we are like the skills that we gain from within our degree, like they are useful. Mm-hmm. So that is, yeah, that is where I want to go. 

Yeah. That's really cool. Um, and I think a few things to touch on. Uh, one, I agree with you. Uh, I'm not a fan of Labb work. Mm-hmm. Uh, I, that is one of the mainly reasons why I.

Well, I, I still would say I still do bits of my degree Yeah. In my job. Um, but yeah, no, I absolutely didn't like lab work at all. Um, I preferred the community aspects, which is why, uh, a lot of the stuff I do is community focused. Yeah. Um, but the second thing I wanted to say was that the importance of like, friends to your friends in your story to this, but also from pick up my point of view.

Like the, like I started to this with two of my friends, uh, and yeah, just started like us having conversations like this over Zoom. This was back in 2021. Mm-hmm. Uh, and now looking like over four and a half years later, like, it's completely different. Like we, like now it's majorally in person, whereas then it was like [00:20:00] all online.

Um, but it was to say the importance of, like you said, like having friends to like, not necessarily like just validate an idea 'cause you're friend, they're your friend. But like, being like, oh wow, this is actually something that I've never really considered. Or like, this is really important. Like, you should definitely do that.

Um, 'cause like, I, I think, like you said. It's whether it's a business, whether it's even you becoming a content creator yourself, um, even arguably to some extent posting on LinkedIn. It's a. It's a not strange, and it's, no one else does it. But it's strange because you have to like get into the mindset of like, okay, if I'm going to like be posting stuff, I need to come up with a, like, content schedule.

Um, you know, there's always like, uh, I'm, are you, I'm literally just finishing a, like a business accelerator program. And like one of the people there was like, Hey, you know, like if you're going to events or even if you're going to other programs, you need to capture content. So you can tell your story as a founder and be like, oh yeah, as a founder, you know, I was, I went to this and this and I was just like, yeah, no.

Like I absolutely hate, like, I like [00:21:00] the podcasting part. Content is super easy. I just like that. 'cause it's just like I sit, I can do it and then I can chop it up into like small little contents. Yeah. But they were just like, no, you need to really focus on like, you know, expanding your content and stuff.

Um, so I agree that like having people that can validate that idea will be like, Hey, you know, like maybe you should try this. Um, even this, like this. So like I say this, looking into all the cameras, um. Having cameras and being on YouTube was only because one of my close friends was just like, oh, I feel like for our second season we should try going on YouTube.

Yeah. And I was like, okay. Like I don't know much about YouTube space. Like I, I know about watching stuff, I dunno about posting. And he's like, yeah. You know, if it's, if people like it, they'll find it on YouTube, they'll engage. Um, and yeah, now we do more stuff like video wise than audio. Um, so yeah. So I feel like, like you said, like friends are really important to that overall journey.

Yeah. They 

definitely, having like a supportive system around you helps, um, even when it is posting your content, like sometimes I'm just like, oh, like is this okay? I'm to post. And then your friends will like [00:22:00] gas you off and be like, yeah, do it, do that. Um, and that's what leads you to posting and I feel like having them in the corner as well to like motivate you to keep going.

Mm-hmm. Because obviously like when you first start out, it might not be. You might not be getting the views that you like, hope for. You might not get, be getting the follow account that you hope for, but just having your friends in the corner and being like, oh, like it will get there. Do you know what I mean?

Or you are doing so great. And even, um, that one life that you've changed or that one person that's listened, you probably changed your life. Like it is really helpful to have. Yeah, definitely from around that corner. 

Um, we're now gonna go on to Treasure Talks, uh, our new segment for this season, introduced by the amazing and incredible Alex.

Uh, as you all know, if this is your first episode, you may not, uh, this is your opportunity to learn more about the guests through items of insignificant importance to them. Uh, typically I do not know the items. This is one of these episodes where I don't know the items, so, um. Andrew, I'm gonna hand over to you.

Could we, could we know [00:23:00] what your item is and the significance it holds to you? 

Okay. So, um, my item is my journal. Okay. Okay. Um, should I out? Yes. Yeah. Cool. I'm not gonna open it for you guys, but it is my journal because, um, since like I was younger, I've never had, not never, but I struggled to speak. Like I was always someone that struggled to get their words out.

Mm. And that's why even during this whole lifestyle connecting is like, it's like scary because like, I would've never imagined myself to actually like, speak out and try to go on social media and obviously like tell people about lifestyle Connect. But, um, one of the ways I found best communicating to myself or even like to the Lord or to.

So if I wanted to speak to my parents, like the best way that I found, um, getting it all out was writing it down in a book. [00:24:00] And, um, yeah, it like was able to get every, it's like, it's like a stress reliever. It's able to get everything like off your chest and, um, even like good days, like it doesn't even have to be a bad day, even if, when you have a great day, like you can write it down or even like the ideas, um.

I didn't bring my book when I first started Lifecycle Connect. I bought my iPad, but I did write it down like it was the first thing. That's, that's the first thing I do. Um, yeah. So that's why I bought my journal. 

Yeah, no, that's really cool. Uh, and also I, I, uh, journal too, so I understand, like you said, the importance of like, um, sometimes it's good to get your thoughts out your head and onto a piece of paper.

Uh, sometimes it also is important, uh, like you said from like a prayer aspect. 'cause I, uh, I do mine as like. Prayers reflecting on the day. Yeah. Um, but I think, like you said, like it is really powerful to have. So I definitely agree. Um, thank you for bringing, for bringing the journal. Uh, maybe if you are watching and you, you don't have a journal, uh, this is your inspiration.

Uh, one thing I will say, sorry. 'cause I know someone mentioned this. It was either on this podcast [00:25:00] or a podcast I watch. You don't need to buy a specific journal to journal, I just wanna clarify that. Um, you can use any notepad, uh, and if you don't prefer, there are, um. Uh, like on the program I was on, people were saying there are like, uh, there's apps and websites that are built for journaling if you prefer using tech.

Yeah. If you 

prefer to just use paper and pen, don't please buy a new journal. Like, unless you really want to, uh, you can just use a notepad and pen and that's perfectly fine. That's what I've used. Um, and it's just, yeah, just spending time with it. And even if 

like, um, what I used to do, like when I was quite young, so, 'cause I've been journaling for like, the longest time.

Mm-hmm. I literally just used to take paper, like paint piece of paper and just write an app and I would put it in my envelope and like stack it in my wardrobe. Like nice. Between clothes. Like it can literally be anything. Like it doesn't need to be anything special. 

Yeah. No, that's really cool. Um, we are gonna go onto the third question.

Cool. Um, which is looking at sort of this link between global health [00:26:00] opportunities and purpose. So while pursuing also, sorry, I, before I actually go into, sorry, I need to. Also check. So you are doing Lifecycle Connect while you're still at uni, right? 

Yeah, so it, it's okay. So I'm doing, um, I'm on a placement year, so I'm working full time, so it's nine, nine to five.

Um, but then on top of that you still get university work and then yeah, 

that's how Connect, um, the reason why I ask is 'cause uh, yeah, as someone who's, who did a placement for both his undergrad and masters, I understand how like full on it can be. And also to still be at uni and also to be running a business.

Um, so yeah, I just wanted to say that's incredible. Um, yes. While pursuing, uh, neuroscience and working as a clinical data management intern, how did your interest in global health and improving access in underserved communities shape your vision for Lifestyle Connect and your own career? 

Cool. So, um. [00:27:00] I think everything kind of stems from when I was younger.

So obviously coming from South Sudan, South Sudan has always been an war. Like, um, obviously it's now not, which is good. Um, but obviously until recently, but when I was younger, like all I ever had was, um, war illness, grandma sick, granddad's sick. Like, and it didn't sit right with me. 'cause I was obviously very appreciative that like I was in England and I got free healthcare, but, um, when mom and dad were like scraping like their money to send back home so grandma can get that, um, that medication that she wanted it.

Like, I genuinely thought like, why, like why is the world like this? Right? Like, it's just so messed up. Like why are people, um, struggling to get something as simple as paracetamol back home and, um. [00:28:00] I've never actually been to South Sudan. Um, I do definitely want to, hopefully. 

Mm-hmm. 

But, um, when my dad does video it and like, he videos like the children, like, they all seem like super happy.

Like they do seem happy. Um, when they get like, go to like come together, they eat, they drink, whatever they, they, they all seem really happy. But when it's like the year after and dad say, and I'm like, oh, okay. Like, how was that cousin? Mm. Oh, they didn't make it. Mm-hmm. It kind of like, it doesn't, it doesn't sit well me.

Yeah. So from that I've always said like, I wanna make a difference within like health. And I think that's also a reason why I wanted to do medicine and which is why, another reason why I was kind of crushed when I didn't get to do medicine. But, um. Yeah, that's was my interest into doing global health.

But obviously I know it's not just happening in South Sudan, it's happening like [00:29:00] literally, like worldwide and Yeah. 

No, that's really interesting. And I think, like you said, there is, um, 'cause uh, well there's two things I realized there was another point I was gonna say about life sciences, which I will circle back to after this.

Yeah. But, um, there is like a clear like importance that is highlighted on like health as a, not just like health as a topic mm-hmm. But also, like you said, like health when it comes to different communities. Yeah. So one bit of, uh, like within my undergrad degree, uh, it's also my master's. Uh, we studied like epidemiology.

So like essentially if you don't know what it is. It is the study of diseases and how essentially like diseases move within a, um, a population. Um, the really interesting thing with it is we were looking at it from like an environmental perspective. So like, how is it with like increasing like temperatures, which might mean more natural disasters, how's that gonna impact people?

Um, and like you said, like it's interesting because there, which is I guess, uh, kind of similar to you, [00:30:00] but, uh, flipping it from like, because I didn't go into like, uh, neurosciences. Um, that's one of the reasons why I liked doing my degree in environmental science because it was like, okay, so we know that like, uh, climate change is real is an increasing thing.

Yeah. Um, and it was like, okay, well we understand that like, yes, climate change is gonna affect everyone, but essentially like the people who are gonna impact it most are the people who don't necessarily have as much decision power on like, oh, you know, as a, as a, as. Of no world. We need to stop doing X or we need to increase interest in Y and stuff like that.

Yeah. Um, so I think, like you said, it is really interesting to see how essentially sometimes communities are impacted the most by, whether it's like health, uh, health crisis, crisis, one of the two English, um, uh, or like, uh, or health inequalities, maybe that's a better way to say it. Um, or like, whether it comes to environmental issues and stuff like that.

It's interesting to see those, uh, differences. Uh, but [00:31:00] then kind of circling it back to like the, in, like the good thing, well, not good thing, but like one of the things that I, I didn't do life sciences, but because my course is open-ended in the sense that it links with loads of other courses. Uh, we did, I did do a lot of lectures with life science students.

Mm-hmm. And like one of the things that. It was, it's great about life sciences, like you said, there is a wide breadth of the like courses and like for masters or PhDs or even like you said, like just, um, jobs available. Yeah. Um, because you don't have to just go, like you said, like down the like scientist or like going into labs.

Mm-hmm. Um, like I know, uh, funnily enough, uh, they do really cool stuff. I would recommend if anyone wants to check out their, they do sometimes like evening work, uh, like evening workshops. Uh, but they're called the Royal Institution. Um, they are based in the Green Park. Um, and essentially they do, uh, like live demonstr.

It's like the audience was mostly children, but you can come as an adult. I saw some people, they were [00:32:00] friends, uh, and I was there to support someone, uh, that I know. And essentially like they get like doctors or researchers to put on essentially like a 10 minute presentation about a topic. So the person that I know, she runs a company called Lit Lab, and they basically like mix, uh, it's like a, basically like sip and paint, but instead of painting, you're doing science experiments and you are like learning something with it.

So she was showing how like different, um. Different liquids can have different weights. So when you pull them into like different, they're like the same jars. You can essentially create like a rainbow color in a, in a, not in a beaker and a floss. Um, that's how, you know, it's been so long since I've been in the lab.

Um, but yeah, she was showing that like, uh, so she would mix, uh, like color dye with different liquids Yeah. To show that different liquids of different weights and things like that. Um, someone else, uh, or like at the end they showed like how you can make music with a Faraday cage. So they were playing different songs, but they would use the electricity from a Friday cage to like do either high notes or low notes, um, which was really cool as well.

[00:33:00] So even like that as a career, I was like, I've never seen. That as a, like, avenue to like promote the sciences. Um, but yeah, I was just like, that's really cool. So essentially my second point is that life sciences a degree is quite open in like what you can get into afterwards, which I think is very important.

Yeah, no, 

definitely. 

Um, we, we've come to the last question before we go into passing the mic, uh, which is your opportunity to ask me questions. Um, and essentially this is advice for people who are in this like in-between phase. So, uh, you may relate to this as a current student. I, no, I definitely related to, I'd even say outside of being a student, I can relate to this, um, which is many people or many students feel that they're stuck between what they should do and what they could do.

So what practical steps, uh, mindset shifts or resources would you recommend for someone? Uh. I would say in the life sciences, but if you feel like this advice could work for anyone, feel free to just say this is for anyone who is unsure of [00:34:00] their next move. Um, so yeah. What practical tips, mindset shifts or are there any resources that you would recommend 

what you should do and what you could do?

Yeah, I think in general what you should do is always,

always work hard to where you could be. Mm-hmm. Like when I think about where you could be like, um, I think about where I want to be, but like, I'm just not there yet. Mm-hmm. So, um, the mindset I'm trying to go off now anyways is like I should be. Making sure I complete my placement, um, work. Mm-hmm. Um, to the best of my abilities.

So maybe, hopefully they employ me after university. Um, I should make sure that I'm still staying on [00:35:00] top of my uni work so I can get the degree that I want to get. I should also be making sure that, um, my team at Lifestyle Connect, like get the right guidance. Mm-hmm. So that lifestyle connect could, um, be where they, where it needs to be.

Mm-hmm. So these are all things that I should be doing so that the could can happen. Um, if you are struggling to do the should, like, if you are struggling to find that motivation to, um, I guess

if you are struggling to find that motivation, definitely. Just sit back, I think write it down generally. Um, and think about what would happen if you don't do it. Mm-hmm. Like think [00:36:00] about, think of the opposite. Like think about, um, think about the worst case scenario if you shouldn't do it. So say if you wanted to go on a run, right?

Not go on a run. Say if you wanted to, um, apply for medicine, let's do apply for medicine. Say if you wanted to apply for medicine, right? You could be a doctor in 10 years time. Um, what you should be doing now is like working hard and making sure that you get your, um, getting those, um, getting those grades.

But, um, if you are finding it, if you're finding it hard to be, keep motivated to get those grades. Worst case scenario is you don't get into medicine, but. It is not the end of the world, right? Mm-hmm. Like, it's not, I think am I like, do you know what I mean? Like, worst case scenario is you don't get into medicine, but it's not the end of the world.

You can still, um, apply to different things, right? So like, [00:37:00] you should still work hard. Like it's never, like life is like ongoing. Like you, there's never a like a point where you should be like, no, like don't do it. 

Yeah. If that makes sense. No, 

that makes sense. It's like, um, 

like, uh, like a lot of. I to say it like delays aren't denials type thing.

Yeah. And 

that, 

um, like just because like one door closes doesn't mean like another one can't open or like, I guess in case literally what we spoke about today. Yeah. Uh, like a better one or like the one that you didn't think you, you know, you'd ever be interested in can open up as well. So, yeah. 

No, literally.

Yeah. 

Perfect. Um, well that's it. Uh, this is where we swap roles. So, uh, we will be essentially swapping roles. Uh, so Angelina, you, you said you had a question. Yeah. But if you have more than one, you're more than welcome to ask. Uh, could you please let me know what question you would like to ask me for Passing the mic?

Cool. So I think I've got two questions though. 

Okay. 

Um, 'cause you've got quite a few things in here. So [00:38:00] I was gonna ask, say if you were stranded, right? Mm-hmm. What are three things that you would bring with you? Like what are three must haves? 

Ooh. Um hmm. Is there, like, is this stranded with like, the possibility of rescue at some point or like stranded and like, I have to find a way to survive myself.

You have to survive yourself 

three items. Um,

I'll put like one, I'll put Bible 'cause I'm just like, uh, you'll need faith to, to get through this. Hundred percent. Um, I'd say, I dunno what it's called, but there's um, there's, uh. I, all I can say is like, it works similar to like Flint. So there's this thing like campers can buy. Um, and it's essentially like if you want to, so basically a bit of context is I used to do ADEs and every summer we would go away to stay somewhere.

Yeah. And one of the activities we would do [00:39:00] is we'd go to this like, funnily enough, a survival camp. So they would teach you like how to, which was wild. Um, I don't think I need to put, it's not really a trigger warning, but like you would learn how to like skin an animal. You would learn about like how to, um, so they said they're difficult with like, new phones now is phones basically.

You can't remove the battery. Mm-hmm. But they said if you have an old phone, you can use your old phone, uh, with like, I think this magnetic wall. Um, and you can basically rub it if you, I think if you rub it on the, if you use the battery to charge the wall. Something somehow happens and you can then use it to like start fire.

But then they have this thing that basically it's like it can create sparks. So they were just like, yeah, if you don't have like, 'cause they were showing like you can use like stones and like can use that, but they said you can just buy something that is like designed and it's coated in like a material that if it strikes, it'll cause a chemical reaction, which will create sparks.

Uh, so that would be like number two because I definitely need like fire, um, to survive. Um, and then three, uh,[00:40:00] 

I mean like, I, like there's a part of me that says definitely like some form of thing that could be used as like a weapon or like something to like at least be able to like fish or like use both as a weapon, but also to like get food. Um, there's a part of me that's, but also I guess like, 'cause there is a part of me that's just like, maybe you should be leaning towards something for like entertainment.

So like mentally you are like, yeah, staying well. But then also I was just like. That's a bit of a waste. Like it can't be anything electronic 'cause you won't have anything to charge it with. Um, so yeah, maybe I'll, I won't, I wouldn't say like a knife, but something to be used like a third. My third thing would be like a weapon or rod that I could use, um, to like either catch food or to use to protect myself.

Um, 

okay. No, I like how you thought, like strategically No, no, that's okay. Because I would've said my phone, but then I didn't think about it dying. But I was, [00:41:00] um, I was actually thinking I need a source of entertainment if I by myself, but no, no, that, um, my second question was,

I did write this down. That's okay. I did write it down. Um, okay. Cool. Mm-hmm. So what advice would you give to someone that is scared? Um. To start their own hobby project business, like what would, what would your advice be? 

Ooh. Can I do three or do I have 

to do, yeah. Okay. You can do three. 

Um, okay. So my first thing would be, uh Oh.

Oh, that's tough. I think my first thing would be like, you are never gonna, well, EII would say never. Maybe people who've been doing stuff for like longer would say it does go. But I would say you never get to a stage where you definitely feel like you are not a bit nervous when you're posting stuff.[00:42:00] 

Whether it's like, you're like, is this gonna get good engagement? Is this gonna go viral? Is this gonna do well on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, wherever? Um, so I would say like an understanding of that. And then. Sort of like linking to that. Just be like, if you are going to create content or you're gonna do anything like, and you're gonna be posting it, like, don't be so focused on making it perfect or great or like worrying about how many views and stuff.

Like, like just get it out there. Because I think like, even like with when it comes to like podcasting, so myself included, I was like, oh, I need to buy like the right microphones. I need to have, you know, like, I need to use a studio. I need to do this, I need to do that. And then like, I think it was like either my sister or my brother, it was just like.

Look like that's all great, but like, you're literally just starting this and you don't really know, like if you are gonna enjoy doing this. Like, they were just like, are you, there's no point in you putting all this money behind it. And then you are just like, actually I don't wanna do podcasting.

Podcasting's actually the worst thing ever. Mm-hmm. I really hate it. Um, [00:43:00] and then you're like, okay, cool, but I've got all this equipment, what am I gonna do with it? Yeah. Um, so I would say like, just get started. Use what you've got. Like people will be surprised that, like, like I said, like we started off this podcast with just literally a zoom, like using Zoom and chatting to people through there.

And then it was only when like, COVID restrictions reduced, but also when we just felt sort of like found our footing that we did more in person stuff. Um. But even now, like I've told people, like I know how to make a, a podcast like on a budget, like I know how to do it. If I don't have like multiple cameras and stuff like that, I also know how to do it.

If like someone was just like, here's like a hundred thousand pounds, like develop a podcast for me. And I said that, that's a really important skill because people will be surprised how like having a clear understanding of a lot and a little goes really a long way and people will pay for that knowledge.

So I would say one. You're never gonna get over that fear of putting stuff out there. Mm-hmm. But just put it out there, see how it goes, and when people gauge with it, when you get interest, when it builds traction, uh, when your name is now out [00:44:00] there, that will bring in like stuff that can then either afford you to maybe use stuff for a significantly reduced rate or for cheaper rates as well.

Yeah. 

Uh, my second thing, which, uh, is my strongest advice to anyone under the ages of 25, as someone who is now 26, this is something I didn't utilize, is there are so much, and I say this like not shouting, but like in like all capitals, there is so much that like for eight, 18 to 30 as a whole, but specifically 18 to 25, that is either like cheap or free.

When I tell you I found a podcast studio when I was 26, like a couple of like maybe last month or the month before, and it was like, oh yes, completely free for 18 to 25 year olds to use. They can use it free. It's literally like, maybe like 30 minutes down the road from me. And then I only found out.

Afterwards, and they're just like, yeah, it's gonna cost you 70 pounds. So my biggest advice would be if you, whatever you're gonna do, and you know, you need like a studio space or whatever, research, don't just do a Google search and be like, oh, I need a podcast studio. Or if you're a dj, you need like a DJing booth.

Like really do a thorough [00:45:00] research, like, you know, put, I don't know, like three 18 to 25 or 18 to 30-year-old spaces. A lot of them, even if they do charge you to be in the space, it's really cheap. So, um, there's a coworking space down the road from me called Roundhouse Works. Their like payment is only, I think, so you can only be there for a year in their coworking space.

Their coworking space for 30 days across six months is, well, the lot, when I was there, it was like, I think it was six, was it 60 pounds? Was it, I think it was 60 pounds. Um, so you could use it like for 30 days across six months if you wanted to use it. Any, like, any more than that for, you basically paid three pounds for every day you were in.

They had meeting rooms. There were meeting rooms for like, I think for one of them was maybe one pound 60 an hour. The other one was maybe 60 p. Like, it was really like really cheap. And I've told people like, oh, but people like research coworking spaces. And I'll be like, oh, I need to go to a WeWorks or I need to go to, um, I dunno, soho House.

And I'm just like, these spaces are super [00:46:00] expensive. And I'm not saying like there isn't the benefit of A, the name, but B there's a lot of big organizations. WeWorks is like, and Soho House, to be fair, are like across the whole world. So you'd be paying more than just for like using somewhere in London if you travel internationally.

Um, but I've told people like at the end of the day, like if you just need somewhere to work, like. Find somewhere that will give, either give it to you for free or you'll be surrounded by, 'cause I was also just like, bear in mind if you go to like somewhere like, um, like WeWork, like I've worked in a WeWorks before, it's very much just like you chill, you like everyone goes to their own corner, works for a bit.

Maybe you might bump into someone in the kitchen that everyone keeps to themselves. Um, whereas like with that 18 to 30-year-old coworking space, roundhouse works, like it was, everyone was interacting. So it was like you're chatting to everyone. Like, um, and you might see someone regularly. So you might come in every Friday, you not, you've literally never spoken to each other and you're like, oh, I see you all the time.

Like, I wanna know more about what you've done or what you do. Um, see, that would be my second thing is like really utilize those resources I've [00:47:00] said. Uh, and which is why I'm like locking in for the next four years. Um, is there, uh, like even like funding, so like 18 to 30, there's so much funding that's available for people literally to test out their ideas.

Um, so one actually I would say for you, um, is there's an organization called the King's Trust. Uh, and they, you might know them, is a princess Trust who is, it's now changed 'cause King Charles is now King. Um, but they have a, so they run a program called the Enterprise Program. So it is for anyone who either wants to start a business or has a business, and it's been registered for, I think less or trading as a company for less than a year.

Uh, and it's you, so you apply for the program. Uh, the program I think on the website says it's between a year to two years, but it depends on like how, how you feel as like a, a participant. So a friend of mine did it, he had just finished an MBA, so he was like, so they said, oh, you've actually got like a really, really thought about your business.

You've got a really strong business plan, like. Within, I think six months of being on the program, they were just like, yeah, you [00:48:00] can, like, you can graduate from the program. That's fine. Um, for others who maybe have never done anything business related or dunno about some business terms, it might be a bit longer.

It might be more towards a year. Mm-hmm. Uh, it is virtual and you can do it on in person as well. Uh, but the reason why I really like tell people to check that out is because you get 500 pounds, like it's a grant. So you get 500 pounds to just test out your idea while being on the program afterwards, you can then apply for another 5,000 pound grant or a 25,000 pound loan, um, to basically continue that development.

So you might be like, oh, hey, like, I dunno. I, I really enjoyed, like, so I say with Lifestyle Connect, you might be like, I'm gonna spend this 500 pounds, um, to purchase some camera equipment. Um, or I might use it to, uh, to, to, I don't know, develop marketing materials, anything like that. 

Yeah. 

And then you can be like, wow, there's a really cool interest here.

There's a lot of people interested in what I want to do. I'm gonna, then essentially now finishing the program, I'm gonna apply for, I don't know, this 5,000 [00:49:00] pound grant or 25,000 pound loan. And I'm gonna basically like be like, this is what I want it to be. Um, the reason why I tell people that is because essentially, like if you go in knowing that like.

You want to do this, they will help you the whole time with that money. Uh, and, and it's only a avail. And like I tell people, it's only available for people who have been on that program and, and it's not a competition. So you're not fighting against like, other people on the program. It's literally everyone who's on the program can apply for it.

Mm. Now, I don't know, if you don't get the, so the 500 is a given. You'll get that regardless if you like, as long as you're on the program. Um, the 25,000 pound loan and 5,000 pound grant, I think is more optional rather than it's an enforce thing. Uh, but even my friend who's like, who's finished it and is applying for these, uh, for those like extra bits of funding, he was like, oh yeah, there's no, so you submit it when you're ready.

So if like, I don't know, you finish the program in September, but you are like, you wanna spend the next three months to just like really fine tune it, develop a strong business plan, and have a good, strong footing for when you're [00:50:00] applying for their money. Yeah, you can, and you can apply for it later on.

So that would be my biggest, that would be number two is like, definitely like if you're in 1830, bracket. Research, loads of programs. Uh, another one I'd actually recommend to you, but also for any female founders or anyone, like any woman who wants to like do something. Uh, both of these, to be fair in the uk you don't have to just, you don't, it's not limited to just like being in London, um, is Girl Dreamer.

So Girl Dreamer, um, offer funding to it's 500 to 2,500 pounds, uh, to any woman between the ages of 18 to 35 who either wants to like develop their business, wants to host event, like it can be on anything. So events, marketing, setting up a podcast recording, like hosting your own event. Um, like an in-person event.

It could be an online event, anything you want. It's 2005, uh, 2,500. Well, 500 to 2,500 for that. Um, but again, that's only for female. That's only for like anyone who is a woman. Um, but even with that, like that's something that like I only found out. [00:51:00] Who did I find it? I think funnily enough, uh, who friends with podcast?

Uh, Donna and Abigail. Um, but I think it was only through them that I found out that that existed. 'cause I was like, oh, like my sister, like would love, like this is the perfect thing that she's looking for. Um, and again, I feel like that's open. Like that grant is open to ev like, it's not like a competition.

It's like anyone who anyone can apply for it. Yeah. So there's a competition in that aspect. Mm-hmm. But it's not like, oh, like there's only 10 spaces and there's only like this small portion of money. Yeah. Um, so yeah, I would say that as well is like, just really do a lot of research. If you do have, you can get in touch.

'cause we've, we've, we've done some research on some of these programs. Uh, I need to fine tune it. We may release it at some point. Um, but again, like if you, if anyone is looking for programs that they want to apply for, um, and you don't know, like feel free to reach out because we can just be like, Hey look, these are like all these programs.

These are their criteria. Reach out and check them out. Uh, and then the final thing I would say, um, yeah, my biggest advice would just be. [00:52:00] Don't always like, and it's hard to do when you start, 'cause we were the, I was the same one. I was like, pick up the mic was very early. Is don't get so focused on like the numbers and the money, um, that you'll be so against like, doing stuff.

Mm-hmm. So, uh, like the reason why I say that is, for example, like when we started, uh, so we, we now have a media service that we do, we do get paid for it, which is great. But when we, I was like, this could be something I was like, oh, like I just wanna explore what this could look like. So there were people, funnily enough actually, um.

Don and Abigail were like people that were just like, uh, so I went to their first brunch they ever did, and then the second year I was like, oh, if you guys are doing another brunch, like this is a service that we do now. If you've got a budget, that would be great. Love to be paid, but this is something new trying, so I'd love to just have the opportunity and we can go from there.

Yeah. And then we did it. They enjoyed it, they loved the photos. So then we're like, cool, we'll come back again and we'll do it this year. Um, so that has just been like a one-off thing that it was just like, Hey, look, [00:53:00] like this is something that I think would be a, like, this is something I wanna do. I want to trial it and see if it works.

And I think sometimes people are just like, no, like anything you do as an individual, as a like organization, you have to be paid for. And I agree. Like everything being free in the sense of never getting money for it, or even like if you don't get paid, like. Um, it could be like, for example, I'm not gonna get paid by someone, but I know if I support their event, I don't know, they're going to intro.

Like, we have an agreement that if there's anyone in their network that would be good for their podcast, they should intro me. Or if, you know, anyone in their network is like, they need, they have money and they need someone to capture content, they shout me out. Um, so I think there's that like, tho like my biggest advice, like of all, all three are equally important.

But I think that final one of just like, money can sometimes be like such, like a real, especially if you have a side hustle and you want to turn to a business. Like people are just like, oh, I need to make money. It needs to like be pro, like financially, like grow and all of this stuff. Mm-hmm. And I think sometimes [00:54:00] people are just like, really forget the importance of like, does, like do you have.

A strong, like do you have a strong offering, but also is there anyone that you could reach out to that could enable you to like build a portfolio? So once your portfolio, because essentially like I could reach out to, I don't know, I could reach out to, or when I started, for example, I could have reached out to Spotify and been like, Hey, I do this podcast support students.

Like would you be interested in like working with us? Mm-hmm. Whereas now, like I've been doing it for four years, like for over four and a half years and it's now, like, now even, like it's changed since the, that first episode. Mm-hmm. So for me, even that is important because your business or your side hustle, your project or whatever it may be, will change as you develop and grow and get new things and try new things.

Um, and I think that is really important to just be like, oh, actually, like I don't need to focus on money and getting sponsorship and attraction and stuff like that. I just need to focus on like. Do I know what I'm doing? Can I do it well? [00:55:00] Uh, and once you can answer both of those questions, yes, you will then see that like naturally, like people will find out, like there are people that say that they've heard of pick up the mic and I'm like, I don't even really post as much as I should be.

Um, so yeah, it just naturally, like through your content, just like reach, like being consistent and really focusing on like getting good at what you're good at Yeah. Will help you to continue to grow. No, 

I think that's great advice. I feel like what I got out of that is like definitely network. Mm-hmm.

Like I think networking is so important because like, we are just one person. Do you know what I mean? We only have one brain and like, we don't know everything. Especially like even in your field, if you think you're so super specialized, there's always gonna be someone else that might know a thing or two more, right?

Mm-hmm. So you definitely learn. You definitely learn. And um, I'll have a look into those answers as well. Do you see what I mean? Yeah. Like, it is good. Um, and. Yeah. Yeah, well definitely. 

And I think one final thing you said there is like, even with this, so [00:56:00] when pick up the mic started, I, like, me and my two friends that we were doing it with, none of us were like, we didn't have a media background.

Yeah. We did no podcasting. So even now, like yes, I can, I'm, I can be quick with video editing. I know tools that can help me to like edit stuff a lot faster than I was myself. But I know for example, like there's an intern of mine from last year even, to be fair, like the interns I have this year. But like I, he's my go-to reference because he is amazing at photography.

I am good at photography, but like he can edit stuff. And it looks like if you've seen the brunch from last year or this year. And maybe also STEM's summer event that we did with them last year. Basically most events that you've seen either STEM do and it's like somehow pick up the micro involved. Um, he has edited their photos and I've said, here's a perfect example of like what you just said there, that he not having experienced in everything.

'cause I can edit. I know how to edit photos and like I can make them nice. Um, but he is able to do it like he can do photography without a [00:57:00] backdrop. Mm-hmm. And I've said like, I know there are so many people, like I told him like, I know someone who literally paid like a photographer, 600 pounds. He was here for maybe like.

A four, a two to four hour event, and the quality of the photos, like the people weren't happy with. And I was like, I know if you were paid this, like you weren't even paid for the ones that you, you were doing before, but you just wanted to build your portfolio. And I was like, now you've built it up. Like you should definitely like be pushing that.

So I agree with you that like sometimes there is this like real focus on like, oh, if I'm gonna do something, I need to be great at everything. Yeah. And you don't like, you can have, like I said, you could have a friend that's good at marketing. You could have a friend that's good. Like at research you could have a friend who's good.

Even I would say like for example, if I absolutely hated being on camera, I would've 110% found some, like a friend who could just do the questions for me and I'd just do the editing. Yeah. Because I like, I know that there are people like that, but people should be aware that like, oh, if you like, like I said, if you don't like being on camera, you don't like [00:58:00] creating content.

That's not me saying you have to create the content. That's me saying, you know, maybe you've got a friend who's really bubbly, maybe they're really sociable, maybe they're like, actually I'd love to like be in front of the camera and like do more hosting and stuff like that. Um, so yeah, I would definitely recommend.

Definitely. 

And like I feel like the more you wait when you do, when you put sort stuff off, like if you do say, oh, um, I don't have a camera so I can't, like, can't do this. Like, the more opportunities you miss. You know what I mean? Percent. Like even the um, podcast, um, studio, like sometimes people think, okay, no, I need to find the perfect like place to video my podcast or like, um, who's my podcast?

But if you just did it there and then like there, you, you might have found that opportunity a lot earlier. And do you know what I mean? A hundred percent. Because 

even like people like we've, I've used studios before and we are like now using meeting room and I've told people this, like I prefer this way of like being flexible it one 'cause.

I can be, [00:59:00] as long as the meeting room is booked, I can set up the cameras whichever way I want. And I can customize spaces. But also, like I've told people, like most po like essentially if someone's in, like, got a studio, yes, they'll know how to run it. Yes, they'll be super confident in it. But if someone, like, if I'm a business and I'm like, Hey, I wanna produce a, like let's say for example, um, Samsung are just like, they want to produce a podcast, but they want it to be hosted at their office.

They don't necessarily have the budget to pay for like, new podcasting equipment. Um, but they also don't wanna pay for a studio that's like across London and all that stuff. I could just be like, Hey, Samsung. Like, just wanted to let you know, um, I can, like, I have a, like, I've got the equipment, I'm flexible, uh, I can, you know, go around, I can meet you wherever you are.

I can do this, I can do that. Um, and that actually, well not necessarily got paid to do a podcast, but like one of the podcast guests was like, oh, like. I'd love for you to record it at, um, at my office. And I was like, yeah, cool. Like we've, we've got equipment that allows us to have flexibility and I was [01:00:00] able to meet people within their team.

Mm-hmm. Um, you know, we, unfortunately we were never able to record this episode, but there was a student who was on placement at, um, at Bentley and then Bentley were just like, oh, hey, like, not in our London office, but we've got an office outside of London. If you're free and you are up for it, you could come over and like record there.

But that's something that never would've happened if I was like, oh no, we've got a studio and it, we can only record in London. Yeah. And yeah, we could maybe record online, but it's never the same as in person. Yeah. Um, so yeah, so I agree with you that like, really just think about like being flexible. My biggest advice or like my final thing to say on this is if you don't have the budget to pay to do podcasting or even to do it remotely, 'cause I know like the different software have different things.

Um, my biggest advice would be. If you have a Google account, uh, use Google Meets, because I think of Google Meets teams and, uh, zoom, Google Meets doesn't have like a, the free plan doesn't have like a time limit, so you can record stuff on there for as long as you want. Um, [01:01:00] whereas Zoom, I know it's 40 minutes and I think teams is as well.

Um, only thing I would say that like when we were using teams, uh, sorry, zoom. Uh, luckily, like I said, oh, also if you're a Uni student and your uni, uh, pays for you to have a Zoom account, I would just say I used my Uni's Zoom account. It, um, it didn't have a limit, so I could recall for as long as I want. Um, but my biggest advice on that would be look at the settings as well.

So a lot of, uh, online recording, like web conference software like Google meets teams Zoom are, they've got like a backend thing that allows you to like, um. Enable it to be improved on like video editing software. So like, I think Zoom in its settings was like, oh yeah, if you're gonna edit, copy this off, and like you want to edit it for a video, um, we can enhance your video quality and stuff like that.

Okay. So always review the settings and stuff. Um, but yeah, I would say just use Google Meets if you want to, like, if you just wanna test the idea out, see if there's interest. And then once you've got that, like then you could look and see like, are there spaces you could use? And actually, sorry. The very final thing I would say, [01:02:00] um, if you're looking for coworking spaces, uh, I know I think Nat West have a free one, uh, near Liverpool three station.

Um, but I know Santander have, I think three in London, maybe they also have it abroad as well. Um, they also have it in Milton Keynes, and I've forgotten the, I think. I've gone that other place. But essentially they've got this thing called workspace, uh, sorry, work Cafe, which is basically like, uh, sorry, work Cafe, which is basically like a free coworking space where people can come, they can work in their offices, there are meeting rooms, but I think you can only book it for like an hour or two per like day to keep it fair.

But there are spaces that offer like free places you want to work. 'cause I know everyone's just like, oh, if I wanna go and work outside of my house, I need to go to like a library or a cafe or this or that. But there are spaces that are like, you don't need a membership. You can just like rock up and work and you know, because I know people are just like, if I work in a cafe, I'm always worried about someone taking my laptop.

Um, but yeah, these co-working spaces are built for like free use. Um, you don't have to pay to use them. [01:03:00] There is like, there's usually like a ca cafe connected to it, so you can also get like tea and coffee, but they're designed for like, people to be working there. Um, so yeah, that would be my biggest advice is just like, check out free coworking spaces if you just wanna work somewhere outside of your house.

Um, yeah. Any other questions or, or is that it? 

Think that's all my questions. That's, no, these are good questions and both 

questions I've not been asked before. Um, especially the first one. Um, but no, we'll, we'll now go on to, uh, MT of the Month, which is an organizational individual that is relevant to the topic we have discussed.

Um. I think they have been a mc before. I'm not sure, which is why I was just like, I'll still include them this time. Uh, but the MC of the month is, uh, the WI is women in STEM and entrepre. Actually, no, I don't think they have women in STEM and entrepreneurship. Uh, this is an organization that champions inclusion, uh, representation and, uh, provide opportunities for women in STEM fields.

So including, uh, well, I also realized we were talking about the word stem and we didn't break it down. Size, technology, engineering, and math. [01:04:00] Um, so, uh, they do this both through sort of like a, not only those who want to get into those careers, but also for those who are potentially looking to build businesses within those areas.

Uh, and you know, we feel like that perfectly mirrors your own mission with creating visibility and connections for those who are in their life sciences space. Uh, so yeah, there Im c of the month. Feel free to check out their website, check them out on the incredible work they're doing. They might have also opportunities, whether it's funding, whether it's just events, whether it's just, uh, other things that would be really good for you as well.

Um, so yeah, there Im c of the month. Check 'em out. Uh, yeah, 

they do have a lot of volunteering roles, actually. Nice. Which is like quite interesting. And, um, I think one of our, um, one of the, our blog writers, she used to volunteer for them. 

Wow. 

Um, and from that she actually got a social media manager role.

Wow. So, um, yeah, definitely like, um, volunteer for them, check them out. 

Really good. [01:05:00] That's really cool. Um, but yeah, we've now, we've now come to the, before we do the outro, the, the last segment of the episode, which is the takeaway segment, which I have kept, kept on. I, I'll be honest, I have been working hard for those who may be thinking, Jeffrey keeps saying we're gonna get sponsorship from someone for this, but we'll be getting sponsorship from someone for this, uh, ideally maybe next year to celebrate five years.

Um, but yes, uh, we weren't really delivering food to your houses, but we will still be delivering important messages for you to go home with. Um, so. Angelina, it's been great speaking to you. We've spoken about a lot today. Uh, but if you could summarize the episode in a word or sentence or something you would like people to take home with, uh, you know, if this was the, if they just walked into this conversation right now, um, you would be like, this is what we spoke about and this is what I feel like you should go home with you.

Would that be,

um,

out the box? Think out the box. [01:06:00] Um. I feel like this episode we have talked about what you can do outside of science so you can do outside the box what you, um, should be doing as a individual. Like you should be going outside, outside your comfort zone to like, um, complete what you wanna do basically. Um, yeah, I think something you like.

Thank 

you. 

And I think, like you said, like it is important. Um, I think it's one of the things that like, I like about the sciences mm-hmm. Is like you said, like there are a lot of, and like, I guess funnily enough, like with this podcast. Maybe you've seen it mm-hmm. Is that there are a lot of like careers business ideas out there that come from out of the box thinking.

So if you are interested in something, um, you don't have to feel like limited to whatever you're seeing. Um. It's the same thing people say with like businesses that like, you know, if you don't see a [01:07:00] solution to the problem that you're tackling or you don't see one that does it well Yeah. Like go ahead and create it.

And even if there are loads of people in the market doing something similar to you, um, what is your unique difference that you can bring to that? And really thinking outside of the box helps you to be able to do that. Um, 

definitely. Yeah. No, and in science, I feel like a lot of people think that they are in one block and, um, the amount of, um, different career paths you can go down like is crazy.

Like, I dunno if you guys Yeah. Yeah. I, yeah. We've just like, um, made a classroom for Black Eye Connect and there's about like 300 different roles. Like we've literally uploaded, um, with what you can do with a, um, life science degree. Mm. 

And 

there's so much out there. So, um, definitely think out of the box.

Definitely look outside the box. 'cause there are a lot of opportunities. 

Perfect. Um, we have now come to the end of the episode. Um, it's been amazing [01:08:00] speaking to you. Thank you very much. 

Thank you for having me. 

Um, if anyone would love to connect with you, um, one, what is the best way for them to do that?

Two, what's the best way for them to connect with the lifestyle Connect? And three, because I'm unsure with how quick I'll be editing this because, uh, the next few weeks are busy. We may have this out before the end of the year. Mm-hmm. But I guess looking forward to 2026, and this can be throughout the whole year.

Yeah. Um. What should people be keeping an eye out for from Lifecycle Connect or yourself or both? 

Ooh. Okay, cool. So, um, you can connect with me on LinkedIn, so just Angelina Monas, um, our tiktoks, Instagram maybe Facebook Accounting Lifecycle Connect, and all of those social media platforms and what you should be looking out for life.

I connect, um, more opportunities, more, um, collabs with different organizations like, um, you're probably your [01:09:00] favorite pharma company, so yeah, definitely look out for that. Oh, 

sounds like you've got a busy year ahead. Very busy. Um, well, yes, you've, you've heard how to connect here, uh, and please make sure that you do.

Uh, but as usual, uh, thank you for coming. If you like this episode, like, comment, subscribe is always appreciated. If you wanna make sure that you don't miss any more episodes of the Student Guide or any of the other episodes on the pickup, the Mic, YouTube channel, please make sure if you're watching the YouTube, that you hit the notes.

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I'll say we won't have it yet. Uh, we don't have a Christmas t-shirt just yet, but we do have a standard pick up the mic one that you can, uh, you can get. So please do, uh, to sign up to those channels. Uh, and finally, if you, well, second to last, if you want to receive, uh, notifications about our other YouTube channels, so our gaming one, pick up the controller, our anime ones, uh, sensor of anime, or our sci-fi one, uh, the two macas.

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Subscribe to them, hit the notification bell. And then anytime any episodes come across of any of these YouTube channels, you'll be able to be notified and when they happen. And then very finally, because I've been talking about it for a while, um. I can't announce it just yet 'cause we are recording. And also I [01:11:00] need to finalize some details, but we will at our event that is coming in the next like three days, um, which is wild to think, but, uh, we win with our end of year event.

Uh, coming up. We will be announcing, as I've mentioned, we won't. To do at least one event per month next year. We have some that we have already got in the works, so we will be announcing what those will be. Um, I can give you a bit of a tease. We will be doing a celebration for pick up the mic in April to celebrate five years.

We are working on how that will work because we have done, uh, we've already done a live podcast with me. We've already done a gift giving to the community. So, uh, yes, we are working tirelessly to figure out what April will bring with that five year event, uh, because we've gotta do something big. Uh, but we will also be hosting our annual International Women's Day or Women's History Month panel discussion, uh, because, uh, we, we realized that, uh, international Women's Day falls on a Sunday, I believe this year, uh oh, sorry.

Next year. So we, we don't want to necessarily, we know Sundays can be a very busy day for everyone, [01:12:00] so we will be doing it at some point in March. We will confirm all the details in the new year, but the only way to make sure you don't miss that is this, you subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on any of our social media platforms.

At pick up the MIC network. So, uh, please make sure you subscribe to those. Uh, you'll be notified of when all, all these cool events are happening. And then we will be doing something in February and we will be doing something in January. But to find out more details about that, uh, keep an eye on our social media pages soon.

Or maybe by the time you're watching this, it's already come out, so, uh, you can look forward to the rest of the events for the rest of the year. Um, but yeah, that's, we, that's enough for me. Uh, we're gonna wrap up the episode here. It's been a pleasure speaking to you all. It's been a pleasure speaking to you, Angelina.

Um, and we will see you all shortly in the next episode, which will be wildly enough the second to last episode before the end, season eight, I believe, season seven or season eight, season seven, I believe. I think we're on season seven. It's been a long day, but, um, but yeah, we'll be ending another season.

Uh, and yes, don't worry, we are slowly approaching. A hundred [01:13:00] episodes, we are estimating it, which is wild. It's exciting. Um, a hundred episodes of this. I couldn't be bothered to, like, we, we've got so much content on YouTube, trying to do our, when we had a hundred episodes on YouTube was too much. But with this particularly, we're coming up to our hundredth episode.

Um, and we will be doing something big for that. Uh, we are working on when that will be. It will most likely potentially be around this time next year. Um, it just really depends on how quick, how quick, um, the episodes come out and stuff. Um, but yes, keep an eye out on the space because as you saw, we did a big sell, well, we did a big episode to celebrate 50 episodes.

Uh. Two years ago, which is wild to think. Um, but yeah, now we're, we are slowly approaching that a hundred episode mark, so we will be doing something big for that as well. So keep an eye on the space. Um, but yeah, that's enough from me. Enjoy the rest of your day. Uh, if this is out before the end of the year, I hope you've had a great year.

Thank you for joining us for this year. [01:14:00] Uh, is this is out after the new year. Well, congratulations. Welcome to 2026. Um, wishing you all the best in this new year. Uh, and yeah, we will see you all shortly. So let's bye from us here and have a wonderful day.