There are over 50,000 healthcare scientists in the NHS, in over 50 specialisms, which is about 5% of the workforce, and yet as a group we contribute to 80% of all diagnoses made.

My specialisms are virology and immunology, two really important areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a day job, I am deputy lead healthcare scientist for a hospital in London. We have over 700 healthcare scientists here so it is a big responsibility, although one I really enjoy.

I have two side jobs, one as an apprentice assessor for the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS), and one doing science themed stand-up comedy. The last one is new and a bit odd, but I am glad to be giving it a go!

Back in 2015, I pushed out of my comfort zone and volunteered for a deployment to Sierra Leone to work in an Ebola Treatment Centre. I was part of a laboratory team that tested samples for Ebola and taught local scientists the techniques as part of a legacy project so that they could continue the testing during any future outbreaks. 

Mrs Geaves was my A level Biology teacher and she had done something similar when she left school. She was the only person to really support my decision and without her, I’m not sure I would have had the confidence to follow it through.

Full time higher education may have worked out as well, but I haven’t regretted my decision to take that job for a single second. The four years extra work experience was brilliant for my career and over my time in the NHS I have been able to secure funding for my degrees so have never had a student loan. I owe so much of where I am now to Mrs Geaves and will be forever grateful to her. 

Towards the end of school I also learned to start trusting my own instincts and making decisions that took me down a different path to others. The Duke of Edinburgh Gold leader in Aylesbury once referred to me as, ‘An unconventional girl’ and I have strived to live up to that description ever since! 

Having said that, my entire team have agreed to support each other to improve our work:life balance and to take our downtime for our own mental wellbeing. 

That being said, there are so many options right now. Don’t just think about the subjects you enjoy, think about where your skills and strengths are. Then look for career paths that meet both your interest and strengths. Speak to as many people as possible about the work they do, how they feel about it and where they think the prospects are.

If you like the idea of science and helping patients – come and talk to me! I can tell you all about the careers available in over 50 different areas and which specialisms are going to be struggling to recruit in the next few years. These areas often come with easier career progression and increased funding for professional development.

Marie Curie. (The first woman to win the Nobel Prize, the first person to win the Nobel Price twice and still the only person to have won the Nobel Prize in two different categories.)