Laura McArdle

What did you want to be when you were younger?

I wanted to become a nuclear engineer working on fusion reactors.

What primary school did you attend?

St. Lawrences catholic primary school

What did you study in school?

I studied History, Combined Science, Spanish, Mathematics, R.E. and English at GCSE then A-level Chemistry, Maths and Physics.

What was your favourite subjects, please state your reason for this?

Physics, Chemistry and History, I enjoyed History as I found the subjects included interesting such as the cold war. I enjoyed the challenges presented by Chemistry and Physics and the problem solving element of the subjects.

What did you enjoy most about Maricourt Catholic High School?

The support I received from staff during my time there.

What did you study in Sixth form?

Chemistry, Physics and Maths

What have you been doing since leaving school?

I just finished my Bsc. In Physics with Nuclear Science and I am currently pursuing a masters degree in Radiometrics: instrumentation and modelling.

What advice would you give to our students to inspire them?

If you think you can’t do it, persevere and prove yourself wrong.

What is a typical day in work for you in your career?

Currently I am studying so I have a similar timetable to the students just with more specialized lessons that are in a subject I enjoy.

What is the most rewarding part of your job, please state your reasons for this?

Seeing my name attached to novel research that hasn’t been done before.

My message to young people deciding on a future career is?

Nuclear Physics has so many amazing applications that you could be a part of, such as Medical Physics, Power Generation and Research,