One of the oncology trials I contributed to was even featured by BBC News!

One of the key transferable skills I developed during my course was learning how to truly sit with a topic and move beyond surface understanding to perceptive analysis. I carried this mindset with me when working with patient health data. I was not simply analysing data; I was mindful of the trust patients placed in me and the honesty with which they shared their experiences. The careers service also opened the door to a three-month internship at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, my first paid role in a research setting. This experience moved research from theory into operational reality. That role involved reviewing inclusivity in clinical research studies. I mapped data to identify disparities in research and looked at what could realistically be done to address them

One aspect of my time at the University that I made the most of was the Goodwin Sports Centre. Most Saturdays, my friends and I would head there to play badminton. After a busy week of lectures, it was a good way to switch off. What made it memorable wasn’t just the badminton, but the whole routine around it. The walk past Crookes Valley Lake and through Weston Park to get to the badminton court was our warm-up physically. The matches themselves were a mix of genuine effort and impulsive shots.

My time at Sheffield has been really enriching. One of my favourite things about Sheffield has been wandering through the city with no real plan, discovering small independent shops I wouldn’t have found otherwise, and coming across countryside-like green spaces. I still remember my first few days of university, being surrounded by driven people, with Grill & Go Burritos becoming a familiar stop and post-class catch-ups with friends at University Arms. I also remember the last days just as clearly; long afternoon hours spent in the library, researching every possible permutation for my dissertation and sacrificing my social calendar entirely. During university, I worked at Sheffield United Football Stadium on Match days.  It was one of the most fun jobs I’ve had. Working there was genuinely a blast.

One advice that I would give is self-learn. Clinical research isn’t just about collecting data from patients or administrative or regulatory work; there are so many processes involved that keep studies running smoothly. Different people handle different pieces of that puzzle, and the best way to understand it is by talking to them and asking questions, even the ones that feel silly. So my advice: immerse yourself in all aspects of the work. Learn how different teams operate, understand what goes on behind the scenes, and don’t be afraid to dive into areas outside your comfort zone. Over time, you’ll start connecting the dots, appreciating the full structure of clinical research, and realising that every interaction and observation contributes to your growth.

Anything else you would like to add?