Career Focus

Secret superpower for success

At St George’s, students were recently inspired by Dr Megan Banks, whose journey into medicine challenged the idea that success follows a perfect or predictable path.

Dr Banks openly shared that her pathway was far from straightforward. After initially applying to medicine without securing an interview, she completed an undergraduate degree and Honours before applying again. 

Despite earning an interview, she was not offered a place. Undeterred, she continued to build her knowledge and experience, undertaking a PhD before eventually entering medicine. Her story was a powerful reminder that resilience and persistence matter more than immediate success.

One of the most surprising moments of the talk came when Dr Banks revealed that she did not achieve a 99.9 ATAR - often assumed to be essential for medicine - but instead graduated with a 91. This revelation challenged many students’ assumptions and reinforced her central message: your results do not define your future, but your determination and work ethic do.

Dr Banks emphasised the importance of self-reflection, encouraging students to focus on understanding concepts rather than memorising content. She introduced the idea of “spiral learning,” where revisiting topics over time deepens understanding. She also highlighted the value of communication and interpersonal skills, noting that being a doctor is as much about working with people as it is about academic ability.

Students were encouraged to broaden their experiences through volunteering, travel, and extracurricular involvement, recognising that every opportunity contributes to personal growth. Importantly, she reassured students to take their time and accept that perfection is unrealistic.

Her final message was clear: you can achieve your goals, no matter how ambitious, if you approach them with passion, grit, and a willingness to keep going, even when the journey takes unexpected turns.

Mrs Sharan Tagore

Associate Dean of Teaching & Learning