Career story: how to get a job as a scientific support technician

Apolitical has asked a diverse group of public servants to share their career tips for junior public servants.

In this article, Robert Kowbel explains what it takes to succeed in a research-based role in government, and what ambitious public servants starting out can expect in return.

What is your role in government, and how did you land in this job?

I work as a scientific support technician in government. Essentially, I assist, plan, consult and carry out scientific experiments for a group of scientists in my building.

My work is mostly with fungi and trees, looking at pathogenic pathways from a genetic and molecular perspective. I mostly do lab work but occasionally, we get to go out in the field for collections and/or experiments.

Don't get comfortable; push yourself to be uncomfortable in the context of challenging yourself to upgrade your skills, be a leader and operate from a strong sense of core values

I landed this job from being a co-op student in the Biology department at the University of Victoria. I did three terms here at the Pacific Forestry Centre as a co-op student before being hired as a term employee, and eventually became an indeterminate employee.

What are the most important skills and competencies for someone who wants to excel in your field and why?

The most important skills and competencies in this field are technical capabilities for working in laboratories, communication skills that will help you collaborate and work in teams, and being adaptable in changing environments.

Science changes all the time with regards to project funding, relevance and new technologies. A good technician embraces change and always looks for better ways to do the work, whether it is efficiency or choosing/trouble-shooting methods.

What is one thing that has surprised you most about working in this field?

Something that surprised me in this field was how rewarding it has been to work with so many talented and enthusiastic young people. I have had an opportunity to train a lot of students in my ten years of service, and I am inspired by a lot of the student's eagerness to learn and their work ethic.

It also reminds me to be grateful that I had great mentors as a student, so it has been full circle to give that same attention and care to our students when they come to get work experience in our laboratories.

If you were speaking to a junior public servant interested in following in your footsteps, what is the one piece of advice you think would be most useful for them to know?

I would say, don't limit yourself to one type of work. Be open to acting assignments, work opportunities outside of your classification.

Don't get comfortable; push yourself to be uncomfortable in the context of challenging yourself to upgrade your skills, be a leader and operate from a strong sense of core values. Think a few years into your future and what your goals are, and communicate those with your supervisor earlier rather than later, so you can work on meeting those goals together. — Robert Kowbel

Robert Kowbel

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