Where are they now?

What are your memories of MSCW?

I have very fond memories of my time at Marist-Sion College. Looking back, I really value the opportunities I had to represent the school in both academic and sporting ventures. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as Sion House Captain. I also loved my exchange to Germany in Year 11, REMAR camps, and all the friends I made during my time at MSCW. 

How do you think your experiences at MSCW helped you become the person you are today?

MSCW taught me incredible leadership, empathy, and interpersonal skills which I employ on a daily basis when interacting with patients. Working in a team and being able to communicate effectively is a very important skill for a doctor to have and MSCW gave me an incredible basis to build my future career on. My first initial introduction to science and health happened at MSCW and instilled in me a passion which will become my future career. Additionally, the study habits that I learned and continued to develop over my time at MSCW helped me to become the life-long learner I am today.

What did you do after leaving MSCW and where are you or what is your role now?

After leaving MSCW I studied for four years at Monash University where I completed a double degree of Biomedical Science and Science with a major in Chemistry. I was then accepted in the Doctor of Medicine program at the University of Melbourne where I completed my first pre-clinical year last year in Melbourne. This year I am undertaking my first clinical year at Northeast Health in Wangaratta, where I am living and working with other fellow medical students. 

Greatest accomplishments and/or defining moments?

Finding out that I had been accepted into my first-choice medical school after four years of hard work and study was a definite highlight of the past few years. Despite the challenges that COVID has presented in the past few years, it has been really rewarding finally making it into the wards and learning from patients and fellow health care workers. I am so excited that I can finally see medicine in action! 

What advice would you like to give any of our current MSCW students, especially those considering a medicine pathway?

Undergraduate medicine is not the only option! A lot of Australian universities offer post-graduate medicine courses which are typically 4 years long after you have completed your undergraduate degree, usually in a science/biomedical field. I initially had my heart set on undergraduate medicine once I left school. However, I feel that completing an initial undergraduate degree gave me a solid foundation in not only my science and medical knowledge, but people skills, life experience, study skills and independence as an adult. I feel that I am going to make a better doctor for having done an initial degree. 

If you have your heart set on medicine but don’t get in initially, there are always other options. You may also find another passion that you feel more strongly suits you along the way, such as research, allied health, or academia. The pathway into medicine can be a journey, and at times it is incredibly long and tedious. Additionally, it is very, very competitive. If post-graduate medicine is your calling, use your rural advantage and investigate the rural pathways each university offers for rural students. Remember it’s a marathon not a sprint, and taking time for yourself and your hobbies is really important. 

Anything else you would like to include (eg. future pathways plans)?

At this stage I still have two more years of clinical placement before I will finish my medical degree. As a rural student, I’ll spend the next two years alternating between hospitals and clinics in north-eastern Victoria. After graduating, I plan to undertake my intern and junior doctor years in a rural hospital before entering either a rural generalist or obstetrics training program. All of this is very likely to change though, and I’m open to wherever my medical training takes me!