Profile - Anthony, Medical Imaging Student 3rd Year.

I am currently a 3rd year Medical Imaging student, being attracted to this study as an outlet to make practical my pervious degree. I majored in Human Structure and Function (effectively Anatomy and other adjacent subjects), and was drawn to the prospect to applying my knowledge of the body having a real, tangible impact. As for a favoured modality, I’m drawn to the physics of MR and US, and still have a desire to pursue these post grad studies, however, having done placements, I have been opened up to the versatility of general XR/CT, and feel like there is a lot to get very excited about. I will definitely root good foundations in this field and make an informed decision when I cross that bridge.

Clinical placement is a great initiative and really gives students invaluable experience of the real world. It probably was this aspect that I was most apprehensive about. I have always prided myself on my book smarts, and have been traditionally not as proficient in a practical setting. I was wondering if my skills in the lab would translate well into this component. After a bit of growing pains, I did manage to assimilate myself into th workflow of the department, and I began to feel comfortable. With time I became more confident in my abilities and took a firmer grasp on my placement experience. It was a thrill ride throughout, and, by the end, you just don’t want to leave. You are exciting to get going in the first place!

Experience and advice whilst on placement to come thick and fast. You will pick up tips and tricks to help cope with the transition and get to know how to truly work as a professional from the professionals themselves. Placement is also a great arena to develop interprofessional communication skills, a necessity for the workplace. It is the student’s role to absorb as much as they can, and remember that it is not a requisite to get everything correct. Not the first time, not all the time - mistakes will happen, non-optimal circumstances will occur, and it is telling of the student who can roll with these setbacks. I, for one, have not had a linear path to get here. Having said that, I also felt like I *had* to contribute more just for the mere fact I was older in years than my contemporaries and I should be someone they would look up to. I learnt that I shouldn’t burden myself with that undue pressure.

As a final piece of advice to students, I’d implore them to take full advantage of the university experience. It is a unique setting, and there is lots of support to help you get by. I did not heed this advice the first time around and felt like I really missed out on making meaningful connections. Now, that I’m aware of this, I have dived head first and not regretted one moment.