"The course offers so many different pathways. We touch on genetic science, ethics, counselling, public health and more. We’re learning so many different skills and I think there will be a lot of career options for us. I’m interested in pursuing a career where I can utilise my science communication skills, whether that be for consumer information, medical ethics or research."
I’ve been fascinated by genomics ever since watching the BBC TV show Orphan Black in Year 12, so the opportunity to immerse myself in pure genomics and everything surrounding it really appealed.
The course offers so many different pathways. We touch on genetic science, ethics, counselling, public health and more. We’re learning so many different skills and I think there will be a lot of career options for us. I’m interested in pursuing a career where I can utilise my science communication skills, whether that be for consumer information, medical ethics or research.
In second year, we start internships, which are helping me realise how many different industries need genomics. I’m doing my first internship with a reproductive service, doing client information, which combines my passion for science communication with my knowledge of genomics.
I’m enjoying communicating genomics with patients who may have no knowledge of the topic. I’m also meeting people who are big names in the field, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn from them.
I’ve really enjoyed the coursework so far, too. Because we’re such a small cohort we get a lot of attention and support, not just with our studies but with our wellbeing as well.
For our first year we mingle in with the genetic counselling students because we overlap core subjects so we get to know everyone in both courses. I’ve gotten to know the other students much more than I did in my bachelor degree, which I’ve really enjoyed.
In first year, the teaching is fairly self-directed with classes once or twice a week at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Second year is more demanding, but if you manage your time well there’s still space for life outside of uni.