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St Catherine’s News Spring 2020
SUCCESS IS DETERMINED B Y AT T I T U D E & H A R D W O R K ANNA What influenced your decision to have a career within the healthcare industry? At school, I developed a curiosity about Science as well as in the Humanities and Languages. In Year 10, I completed work experience in a law office and also in a public hospital. When it came to making a career choice at the end of Year 12, I was advised to consider my interests rather than choosing my ultimate job. I turned to my brother and his friends who had just completed their first years at university. After hearing about their courses, I was more interested in the Science courses and thus my path in Medicine was decided.
What have been some of the biggest obstacles in your career, and what advice would you give your daughters about overcoming similar challenges? Initial challenges related to high workloads, fatigue and being faced with serious decisions regarding patients’ welfare. The support of family and friends, and drawing on my own experiences helped me to adapt, and to develop the confidence to progress in my training, specialist training, and to attain further radiology qualifications. Later challenges came with balancing childrearing and work, gender stereotypes and workplace politics that accompany part-time work.
How do you believe your career has influenced your daughters? I hope that I have been a good role model for both my daughters and my sons – Toby (18 years) and Joe (13 years), in that they see me taking pride in my work to provide for them, help patients, and also for my personal satisfaction. They can appreciate that females have great potential to contribute to the workplace, society, and family. What advice do you offer Sara and Pia about their education, and future career choices? I encourage Sara and Pia to learn about as many different areas as possible so that as they mature they will have
