My Inspiration to Become a Part of The Medical Environment

The human body is an intricate machine; with each cell doing its job perfectly. However, when faults arise they are difficult to overcome. Growing up I was always surrounded by a medical environment. My parents who worked in hospitals told me about their days. I was amazed to hear about all of the things they had to do: take blood samples, treat illnesses and administer injections. This is where my interest for biomedical science began. From an early age I knew I wanted to be a part of the medical environment because my personal interests lay within how cells combat illness.

I have undertaken work experience at the Alexandra Hospital where I shadowed a vascular consultant. Watching the doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants work as a multi-disciplinary team to provide a service showed me the importance and vitality of teamwork. Furthermore, I noticed that communication is key in all situations. As witnessed, a train of communication can lead to informed decisions that would benefit both the patient and the staff. The emotion conveyed by patients, their families and the medical team have all contributed to strengthening my empathy and has fuelled my desire to study biomedical sciences at university. Reading ‘The Selfish Gene' by Richard Dawkins has broadened my knowledge of genetics by informing me how genes use the body as a means of reproduction and that the main purpose of the gene is to successfully transfer from one generation to another. Reading this book made me want to develop a higher level of understanding of this topic because the nature of genetics fluctuates. The constant advance in technology means we can study genetics at a more detailed level and get results that are more accurate than the ones before.

The development of biomedical science for the benefit and welfare of many people is something I would like to be a part of in the future. I am a founding member of my school's medical society where we meet every week and discuss issues relating to the real world and how it can affect or influence us as we continue along our career path. In February we attended an anatomy workshop at the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire where fourth year medical students taught us how the different body systems work. I was most interested in the movement of the arm muscles and muscle cell repair after damage. I am curious about how these tiny systems work to successfully repair damage in a more complex network. Attending this workshop made me want to expand my knowledge on the methods of cell replication and wondered whether or not the speed of replication can be altered. During the last year I have been an academic mentor in a Y7 class, as well as a part time maths tutor. These roles helped me to develop both my communication skills as well as my leadership qualities. Throughout the past year I have completed an EPQ on the nature of genetic therapy and its appropriateness to treating cancer. Doing so has allowed me to gain key research and presentation skills as well as the independence to go and produce an essay on a topic I am very interested in.

Furthermore, in June I had undertaken a TEFL course which has made me qualified to teach English around the world. I have also been able to focus on my time management as well as become more confident with my public speaking. Biology has allowed me to gain deeper subject knowledge and has made me develop a more analytical mind, whilst maths has enabled me to develop problem solving skills. English Language has helped me to think critically as well as enhance my verbal skills.

I believe that this degree will allow me to expand my deep interest for the biomedical sciences and provide the skill set needed to venture on to study oncology in the future. With the constant development of technology and the variability of the biomedical sciences, I believe there is no better time to want to be a part of this.