Student Profile: Meet Kenny
Kenny is a third year Bachelor of Medical Science and has recently started a double degree, including a Bachelor of Law in his course of study.
What started out as a non-linear experience after high school due to external challenges, to now getting real life professional experience before he has even graduated university, Kenny is passionate in finding a long-term career where knowledge and skills learnt from both degrees can be combined.
Q: Where are you working while studying at the moment?
A: I’m currently working as a medical receptionist at a multi-practice podiatry and osteopathic clinic, I work as a UTS ambassador and I work as a laboratory aid in the molecular diagnostic department.
Q: Is everything that you’re doing at the moment contributing to what you want to do after university?
A: In my ambassador role, I do a lot of communication; being able to communicate efficiently is very important, especially if I want to work in either law or medicine. All the practice in the lab gives me the front and back experience of what the bigger picture of health is like.
After setbacks in UAC applications, Kenny finally got accepted into law during his third year at university.
Q: What was your thought process in doing a double degree?
A: Law was actually my goal but I had some fascination with health, so I got into medical science. When I applied for undergrad medicine earlier this year, I didn’t get through but I had a few fillers in my application. Funnily enough, I did get into law. I spoke to one of my friends and he told me to find a way to combine law, science and medicine all in one. He was telling me about one of his supervisors, a trauma surgeon and medical lawyer, so I thought “It’s actually possible and something that’s achievable”.
Speaking to friends and networking throughout his career, Kenny has been able to add law onto his course of study this year and continue with a double degree, opening his options post-university to multiple pathways of careers and employment.
A: There seems to be a trend towards people working in a certain industry for several years but afterwards, going back to study, getting a different degree and then working in another industry you really enjoy.
After Year 12, Kenny studied a year of Criminology before starting Medical Science at UTS.
Q: How did you find the experience post-high school when you were applying for universities?
A: I think I was a little too relaxed for the HSC to be honest. When I got my results, I was shocked and pleasantly surprised but at the same time disappointed because I thought I could have done better. The transition was initially very difficult, going from high school to becoming an adult in university and doing everything by myself. I adjusted to the workload from university and I found a lot of good friends that have definitely supported me throughout that entire journey.
Q: What do you think can be done to start off the transition between high school to university a little earlier that could help students ease into their degree?
A: Giving taster courses could be a good option, just so people can get an understanding of what their degree would get them into. Showing them a little snippet of what you can do and where that’s going to get them would help a lot. I think having a day or two where students are actually participating in a lecture or a tutorial would help, then discussing career options.
Q: Do you think university has had a big impact on what you want to do once you finish your degree?
A: I think a lot of high school students will say to themselves “Why am I studying this? How is this relevant?”. I felt that but as soon as I went to university, studying courses that are very specialised in a certain field, it opened up my worldview yet narrowed it down to what I actually liked. University has had the biggest influence of all when it came to my career path and what it would look like.
For his future career prospects, Kenny explains how he wants to incorporate both his degrees into one career.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: I’m hoping to have already started a postgraduate medicine course and if I’m not working in medicine, then I would ideally want to work as a medical solicitor.
Q: If you had to name three places at UTS that are your favourite, what and where would they be?
A: Building 2 would be my favourite because it’s got the High Super Lab downstairs, there’s a bit of a pun where it’s supposed to create a buzzing atmosphere because it’s got hexagon tables for collaborations. My second favourite place would be the library, there’s a terrace on level 8 where you can go outside–when you’re doing an overnight session, you can always go outside, relax and enjoy the fresh air. My third favourite would be level 14 in Building 2 where law students go to do mock trials. It’s got such a nice view of the entire city skyline and it’s like a miniature version of the Supreme Court.
With a few more years until he finishes his undergraduate years of study, Kenny has adapted the mindset that there is a whole heap of time to figure out what he wants to do, while enjoying that work life balance.
