Having this breadth of knowledge has also served me well in my career: I am now the School of Engineering’s Technical Manager at the University of Surrey with my primary research focus being on engineering material characterisation via advanced imaging techniques, such as electron microscopy. I would not have learnt about Engineering if I had just done the Chemistry degree, so since my work combines elements of both subject areas, the Foundation year has been hugely impactful. My degree has also been highly influential in how I approach experimental work in a lab-based setting, having honed my skills in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities at Loughborough University.