Labs Life: Meet Jess McDonald

What does a Team Coordinator do?

Jessica: I help to look after the company’s finances, ensure that projects run smoothly, liaise with our legal teams to make sure that projects can go ahead as planned and I organize all of the work parties. That last one is the most important.

What did you do before you came to the Labs?

Jessica: Mainly contracting in various countries, doing project coordination for different government institutions. I have a couple of politics degrees, which might make me unique in the Labs, I don’t think anyone else has a governmental background. My experience with finance and coordination has helped a lot, but working in government gives you all the skills you need when you are navigating the bureaucracy of larger companies. This is the first time I’ve ever worked in a small, close-knit team and I am really enjoying it because everyone here is so nice. It is a great environment to work in.

I still like to travel. I think it is the only thing that keeps me sane. In the next year I have trips planned to Malta, USA, Germany, Kenya, Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. I’ve completed several long distance hiking trails in my travels; walking more than three thousand miles in the last four years. Running and just… being outside is how I enjoy myself. Particularly outside of London.

Hop into our time machine, we are going back to ask ten-year-old Jessica what she wants to be when she grows up. What would she tell us?

Jessica: Probably working in an animal sanctuary or a horse yard. I had every pet under the sun when I was growing up; dogs, cats, hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, stick insects and budgies, I volunteered at animal sanctuaries and the horse stables that I went riding at. I am still really inspired by the people who give up everything to go overseas to set up animal sanctuaries and protect endangered animals. Meanwhile, I’m thinking about adopting a senior rescue cat.

What is next for you in the Labs?

Jessica: I’ve only been in the industry for a few months, so I am still learning the ins and outs. I’m hoping that I can get more involved in the project side of things and see how everything comes together.

Will Jessica adopt a cat? Will Jessica adopt a dog, hamster, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, budgie and stick insect? Will she ever stop walking everywhere? Find out all of these answers and more in the next riveting instalment of Labs Life!