What year did you graduate?   

2017

What course did you study?   

MBBS

What is your current role?     

I am a Commissioned Medical Officer in the British Army. I am currently working as a Militray Surgical Trainee.

How did you get into your current role?   

I was an Ex-Army soldier before I attended St Georges University to study medicine. While at University, I applied to re-join the Army as a Medical Officer. After completing my medical studies at St Georges Universtiy, and Foundation years, I attended Royal Military Academy Sndhurst to commision as an officer in the British Army. This is where I learnt and developed a wide range of leadership skills. 

Can you describe a typical day?

After commisioning into the Army, all Army medical officers have to complete 3 years of GDMO (General Duties Medical Officer) period at an Army Medical Regiment. During these years, I had the opportunity to work in militray primary health care and front line trauma care in the UK as well as abroad. In my current role as a surgical trainee, my primary job is exactly the same as any other NHS surgical trainee. I attend ward rounds, on call shifts and surgical theatres assisting and performing surgeries with in my skillset. I enjoy the surgical skills and applying them while in operating theatres. 

What do you find challenging in your current role?  

I have always enjoyed the challenging work environment which helps individuals and teams to grow professionally. In my current role as a militray officer, I have learnt a great deal of leadership skills, which are very helpful as a surgical treainee. I enjoy learning and developing about challenging surgical skills. In my surgical career, there is a wide range of challenging skills to learn before I can become a surgical consultant. On top of this, I also enjoy teaching my learnt skills to other juniors in the team. 

What advice would you give to a current student at St George’s who is keen to get into a similar area of work as you?  

Medical students have a wide area of work available to them after their foundation years. I feel that a medical career in the British Armed forces is a great choice. The skills that we develop as a military officer are going to help my medical career to develop further. There are also opportunities to travel abroad as a Medical officer, which is difficult to achieve as a non-military trainee. On top of this, the pay of a military medical officer is relatively higher than an NHS trainee. Overall I feel, a career as a Military medical officer is a great choice for any medical student studying at St Georges University. 

Which aspects of your degree are relevant for your current role?  

Medical students have a wide area of work available to them after their foundation years. I feel, a medical career in the British Armed forces is a great choice. The skills that we develop as a military officer are going to help my medical career to develop further. There are also opportunities to travel abroad as a Medical officer, which is difficult to achieve as a non-military trainee. On top of this, the pay of a military medical officer is relatively higher than an NHS trainee. Overall I feel, a career as a Military medical officer is a great choice for any medical student studying at St Georges University. 

Do you have any advice or a message for current students at St George’s? 

I am very pleased with my career choice as a medical officer in the army. If any medical students are considering joining the military as a medical officer, I would highly recommend that you pay a visit to 256 field hospital (Army reserves), which is based in Walworth, Kensington and Kingston. I would also recommend visiting the British Army website for more information. I will also be happy to talk to anyone about my experience. Please feel free to find me on twitter to iniate a chat, and we can then arrange to talk further. 

Do you have any advice or a message for students considering studying at St George’s?  

I  enjoyed my time at St Georges university and can proudly say that I was a student at a great university for five years. The environment and facilities at the university are top class. It is also a very welcoming environment for students from all backgrounds. I would highly recommend any prospective students to arrange a visit to see the university before making a final decision on their university choices.