Priya Agrawal

Name : Priya Agrawal
Employer : University College London Hospital
University : University of Cambridge
Subject : BA medical and veterinary sciences
Graduated : 2000
Postgraduate university : University of Cambridge
Postgraduate subject : BMBCh
Graduated : 2003

Medicine allows me to combine my interest in science with my desire to work with people. There is such a variety of work available that I could go on to do anything. Friends have worked as a cruise doctor and on TV.

My job

I look after the patients on the ward before and after theatre, conduct minor operations and see people in casualty or in clinics. In obstetrics I work as a member of the team, looking after women before, during and after labour. I grab opportunities to socialise even if it is a ten-minute chat over lunch. I get on well with the people I work with so I really enjoy it. As a junior doctor, my current aims and objectives are to get my Royal College membership and continue my training to become a consultant. However, training can sometimes be superseded by service requirements due to government targets and there is also some uncertainty in the job market due to a complete overhaul of our training scheme by the government.

Highs and lows

I wouldn’t enjoy an office job as much. I’m always on the go, learning something new and working with numerous different people at the same time. There is a new highlight every day. I remember meeting a woman before her diagnostic operation, who was frightened that she had cancer. It felt like the best job in the world when I got to tell her that she didn’t. Make sure you do as much work experience as you can and talk to people in the profession. Know what you are getting yourself into and don’t come into it for the wrong reasons. If you like learning and enjoy meeting people you’ll love it.