Anne-Marie Haughey
Are there any courses, experiences or skills developed during your degree that have had a lasting impact on your career?
My physics background is a huge part of what makes me effective in my role today.
The most important skill my degree gave me was learning how to approach complex problems. Physics teaches you to break down a challenge into manageable pieces, work logically through uncertainty and develop solutions based on evidence. I've used that approach throughout my career, whether developing medical technologies, writing grant applications or helping organisations shape innovation projects.
I remember being asked during an interview for my first KTP role: "How many piano tuners are there in Bristol?" I had absolutely no idea of the answer, but I had encountered similar questions during my degree and knew the interviewer wasn't looking for the exact number. They wanted to understand how I approached the problem. Physics gives you confidence to tackle questions you don't immediately know the answer to, and that mind-set has been invaluable throughout my career.
Another lasting impact was learning to manage competing priorities and perform under pressure. When I was a student, most of our exams took place within a very short period at the end of the academic year. While I certainly wouldn't want to repeat that experience, it taught me resilience, organisation and how to remain focused in challenging situations.
Perhaps most importantly, physics gave me confidence to move into completely new areas. Throughout my career I have worked across medical devices, photonics, healthcare, innovation funding and business-academic partnerships. In each case, I have relied on the ability to learn quickly and adapt to unfamiliar challenges.
What are employers looking for from graduates?
Technical knowledge is important, and employers expect graduates to have strong subject expertise and a willingness to continue learning. However, some of the qualities that make the biggest difference are often broader skills.
Employers value people who can solve problems, communicate effectively and work well with others. They are often looking for evidence that you can learn quickly, adapt to new situations and apply your knowledge in practical ways.
As a physicist, you may not always have direct experience of the specific industry or technology you're entering, but employers recognise that physics graduates are trained to think analytically, handle complexity and approach unfamiliar challenges with confidence.
It's also important to remember the bigger picture. Whether you're developing technology, conducting research or working in innovation, understanding the context and the people who will benefit from your work is just as important as the technical details.
What advice would you give to current students?
Use your network.
Throughout my career, opportunities have often come through conversations with people I already knew. The business development manager who told me about my first KTP opportunity helped launch my career. Years later, a former colleague from that same role told me about the position that eventually led to my current job.
I would also encourage students to explore opportunities beyond the traditional routes they may be most familiar with. As a student, I wasn't fully aware of the range of placements, internships, summer projects and innovation programmes available. Looking back, I would have benefited from engaging with more of these opportunities earlier.
Finally, don't worry if your career doesn't follow the path you originally imagined. Mine certainly didn't. Some of the most valuable experiences I've had came from unexpected opportunities, changes of direction and challenges that seemed like setbacks at the time.
Stay curious, build relationships, be open to new experiences and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. A physics degree can open doors in far more fields than you might realise, and the skills you develop will continue to be valuable throughout your career.