Become a Science Council Assessor

From Nervous Assessor to Confident Mentor: My Personal Journey in Biomedical Science Volunteering

By Charlie Houston FIBMS CSci MSc

How stepping into the unknown world of assessment transformed not just my career, but who I am as a Biomedical Scientist

I still remember the flutter of anxiety in my stomach as I walked into my first assessment session as a newly appointed verifier with the Institute of Biomedical Science, even though I had shadowed another experienced mentor and assessor at a leading children’s hospital in Glasgow. My hands were slightly damp, my notes meticulously organized to mask my uncertainty, and I found myself questioning whether I truly belonged in this role. What if I missed something crucial? What if my feedback wasn't helpful? What if I inadvertently crushed someone's dreams?

That was 25 years ago. Today, as I reflect on my journey as an assessor and examiner with both the Science Council and the Institute of Biomedical Science, I realize that those early anxieties led me to one of the most personally transformative experiences of my professional life.

The Unexpected Mirror of Self-Discovery

What nobody tells you about becoming a volunteer assessor and examiner is that you're not just evaluating others—you're constantly confronting your own knowledge, biases, and communication style. In those early days, I would prepare for assessments with the intensity of someone cramming for their own exam. I needed to ensure I understood every nuance of the standards, every subtlety of the criteria, because I knew that someone's career trajectory hung in the balance of my evaluation.

This preparation became an unexpected gift. Each portfolio I reviewed, every practical examination I oversaw, forced me to revisit fundamental principles I thought I had mastered years ago. I found myself researching techniques I hadn't used since my own training, exploring methodologies that candidates brought from different laboratory disciplines, and constantly updating my understanding of evolving best practices in Biomedical science.

But the real revelation came when I realized how much my confidence had grown. The nervous assessor who once worried about his own credibility had evolved into someone who could engage in scientific discussions with candidates, challenge their thinking constructively, and provide guidance that genuinely helped them improve. My continuing professional development wasn't just happening through formal courses anymore—it was occurring organically through every assessment I conducted.

Learning the Language of Constructive Growth

The first time I had to tell a candidate that their work didn't quite meet the required standards, I felt genuinely sick to my stomach. Here was someone who had invested months, perhaps years, preparing for this moment, and I had to deliver disappointing news. I stumbled through the feedback, focusing too heavily on what was wrong rather than how they could improve.

That experience taught me one of the most valuable lessons of my volunteer journey: the difference between criticism and guidance lies not just in what you say, but in how you frame the entire conversation. I learned to begin these difficult discussions by acknowledging the candidate's evident dedication and highlighting areas where they had demonstrated competence. Only then would I address the areas needing development, always in the context of "how this will make you a stronger Biomedical Scientist" rather than "here’s what you got wrong."

This evolution in my communication style didn't happen overnight. I remember practicing feedback conversations during my journey to work , testing different ways to phrase constructive criticism that would motivate rather than discourage. I began to understand that my role wasn't just to measure competence—it was to nurture professional growth. This realization fundamentally changed how I approached not just assessments, but every professional interaction in my career.

I particularly remember one candidate who had clearly worked incredibly hard but had missed some crucial safety protocols in their protocol. Instead of simply pointing out the errors, I shared a story from my own early career when I had made a similar oversight and how that experience had taught me to develop better systematic approaches to laboratory safety. By connecting my own vulnerability to their learning moment, I watched their defensive posture melt into genuine curiosity about how to improve.

The Magic Moments That Make It All Worthwhile

There’s a specific moment I treasure from last year that perfectly captures why this volunteer work has become so central to my professional identity. I was being conducted on a lab tour by a candidate who had failed their first attempt six months earlier. When she walked into the room, I could see the mixture of determination and lingering doubt in her eyes—the same expression I probably wore during my own challenging moments in training.

As she guided me through the various lab areas, something great happened. I watched her confidence build with each correctly answered question, saw her problem-solving skills emerge when she encountered an unexpected result or a QC that was out , and observed the moment when she realized she truly understood the underlying theory behind what she was doing. Her enthusiasm became contagious, and I found myself genuinely excited about her performance.

When I was able to tell her she had passed, his reaction was so genuine and overwhelming that I had to blink back tears. But what moved me most wasn't just her relief and joy—it was the moment when she looked at me and said, "I can't wait to start mentoring and training students myself someday." In that instant, I realized I wasn't just witnessing her success; I was seeing the continuation of a cycle of mentorship and professional growth that would extend far beyond our interaction.

These moments of recognition happen regularly now, and each one reinforces why I volunteer my time for this work. Whether it’s seeing a nervous candidate transform into a confident professional during an assessment or recognizing that spark of scientific curiosity that signals someone will make exceptional contributions to our field, these human connections have become the most rewarding aspect of my career.

But perhaps the most emotionally powerful moments come when I'm able to tell a trainee they’ve successfully achieved their Certificate of Competence after I've verified their Registration Portfolio.

I remember one verification where the trainee was so overcome with joy that she couldn't speak for several seconds. When she finally found her voice, she told me that she had been working on her portfolio qualification while juggling single motherhood and part-time studies, often staying up late into the night to complete her portfolio entries after her children were asleep. The Certificate of Competence represented not just professional recognition, but validation that all those sacrifices and struggles had been worthwhile. Her gratitude was so genuine and heartfelt that I found myself getting emotional too, reminded once again of the profound impact these assessments have on real people's lives and dreams.

The Ripple Effects in My Daily Professional Life

What surprised me most about my volunteer work was how it began to influence every aspect of my professional interactions. The patience I developed in explaining complex concepts to candidates translated directly into more effective collaboration with colleagues. The skill I cultivated in providing constructive feedback without damaging confidence made me a better supervisor and mentor in my workplace. The confidence I gained from successfully guiding others through challenging professional milestones gave me the courage to take on leadership roles I might have previously avoided.

I found myself volunteering to mentor new Biomedical Scientists through the IBMS mentoring scheme, speaking up more confidently in scientific meetings, and approaching professional development conversations with a more nuanced understanding of how to motivate and guide others. The interpersonal skills I was developing through assessment work were making me not just a better Biomedical Scientist, but a better colleague and leader.

My family and friends began noticing changes too. My wife commented that I seemed more self-assured in social situations, more willing to engage in difficult conversations, and better at finding constructive ways to address conflicts. The communication skills I was honing through volunteer work were enriching my personal relationships as well as my professional ones.

Finding Purpose Through Service

Perhaps the most profound impact of my volunteer journey has been the sense of purpose it has given me. In my day-to-day laboratory work, it's easy to lose sight of the broader impact of what we do as Biomedical Scientists. The routine of daily procedures, the pressure of Turnaround Times, and the focus on individual tasks can sometimes obscure the larger mission of improving human health through scientific excellence.

But when I'm conducting assessments, that bigger picture becomes crystal clear. Every candidate I evaluate represents someone who will contribute to diagnostic accuracy, research innovation, or quality improvement in healthcare delivery. The standards I help maintain ensure that patients can trust laboratory results, that research findings are reliable, and that the next generation of scientific discoveries builds on a foundation of rigorous professional competence.

My work as a STEM ambassador has added to this meaningful dimension with a sense of purpose. I'll never forget a particular day at the Glasgow Science Centre whilst I was demonstrating chromatography techniques to families visiting the interactive exhibits. The activity involved separating different coloured dyes, and children were fascinated watching the colours slowly travel up the paper strips, creating beautiful patterns as they separated into their component parts.

One young boy, probably around eight years old, was absolutely captivated by the process. His mother stood nearby, watching him with a mixture of joy and amazement as he carefully observed each step of the demonstration. When I asked him if he could remember the name of what we were doing, he concentrated intensely for a moment, then proudly announced, "Chromatography!" His face lit up with such genuine excitement at mastering this complex word.

What happened next moved me to tears. His mother approached me with tears streaming down her face and quietly explained that her son had learning difficulties, and she had never imagined he would be able to pronounce, let alone understand, such a sophisticated scientific term. She told me that his teacher had been working with him on breaking down complex words, but this was the first time she had seen him tackle something this challenging with such confidence and enthusiasm.

In that moment, I realized that my volunteer work wasn't just about maintaining professional standards or advancing scientific careers—it was about opening doors to scientific wonder for everyone, regardless of their starting point or perceived limitations. That little boy's triumph reminded me that science belongs to all of us, and that sometimes the most profound impacts come from the simplest acts of sharing knowledge and enthusiasm.

This connection to our profession's ultimate purpose has reignited my passion for Biomedical science in ways I didn't expect. I find myself approaching my own work with renewed energy, knowing that the excellence I strive for in my daily practice models the same standards I expect from the candidates I assess, while also remembering that behind every technical procedure and rigorous standard lies the potential to inspire wonder and open new possibilities for others.

The Ongoing Journey of Growth

As I've taken on additional roles—serving as a trustee and council member with the Institute of Biomedical Science and expanding my work as a STEM ambassador and assessing CSci , RSci, RSciTech and helping with the apprenticeship standards with the Science Council—I've come to understand that volunteer service is not something you do in addition to your career, but something that becomes integral to who you are as a professional.

Each new responsibility brings fresh challenges and opportunities for growth. Working at the governance level has given me insights into how professional standards are developed and maintained, while my role as a STEM ambassador has connected me with inspiring young people who are just beginning to discover the excitement of scientific inquiry.

The nervous assessor who walked into that first evaluation session 25 years ago could never have imagined the confidence, skills, and sense of purpose that would emerge from saying yes to volunteer opportunities. What began to give back to the scientific community has become one of the most significant sources of professional and personal development in my career.

Every candidate I assess, every difficult conversation I navigate, and every moment of celebration I share with a newly qualified professional adds another layer to my understanding of what it means to be part of the scientific community. In helping others achieve their professional goals, I have discovered capabilities within myself that I never knew existed and found a deeper appreciation for the collaborative nature of scientific progress.

This journey has taught me that the most meaningful professional growth often comes not from what we achieve for ourselves, but from what we contribute to others success. In the end, my volunteer work hasn't just made me a better assessor—it has made me a better Biomedical Scientist, colleague, and human being.

The author continues to serve as a volunteer assessor and STEM ambassador with the Science Council and as an assessor, examiner, trustee, and council member with the Institute of Biomedical Science, finding new opportunities for growth and service with each passing year.