Jason Elmasri

I’m the middle child of three sons of Middle Eastern migrant parents. My family didn’t have much as I was growing up, so from an early age I was instilled with the virtues of having a strong worth ethic, resilience, and being community-minded. During my schooling, I had an affinity for the humanities and sciences. This along with my parents’ influence and my struggles with a chronic health condition inspired me to pursue a career as a doctor.

This degree allowed me to explore the fascinating science behind the human body, the causes and treatment of disease, and a means to build the foundations for a rewarding career dedicated to improving the health of people. It also gave me insight into understanding and better managing my own health struggles.

I'm passionate about self-development, fostering a sense of inclusion and community, and the practical applications of education and science in helping others. During my studies, I undertook a lot of varied roles both at university and beyond to fulfil my desire to work with and help others. Some notable roles include working as a sexual health workshop facilitator, a peer networker, and educator.

I was drawn to UTS because it’s a relatively new and ambitious university that prides itself on producing strong, career-ready graduates. After speaking to friends that had studied here and familiarising myself with all the wonderful student services and opportunities, UTS seemed like the right fit.

It was ingrained in me from my first semester here that I’d need to pursue extracurricular opportunities to make myself better-rounded as a person and graduate. In the spirit of this, I took on a role as a peer educator in a subject I honestly wasn’t too thrilled about at first. From this, however, I was awarded a position as a teaching associate and worked my way to a senior position as a laboratory demonstrator. I’ve since come to really appreciate the subject, but more importantly, my professional journey highlighted the importance of being open-minded and seizing opportunities.

Undertaking a science has honed my critical thinking and communication skills. This is highly valued in most professional fields. It’s also opened my eyes to many interesting career prospects across the sciences and health sectors I didn’t know existed, which has been quite exciting and ultimately steered me in a more fitting career path than I initially had my hopes set on. Undertaking this course during the pandemic really highlighted the unwavering demand for jobs in these fields and the importance of being scientifically literate.

When I finish this degree, I’ll be pursuing a Master of Physiotherapy. It occurred to me later in my degree that a career in physiotherapy seemed like the perfect nexus of the subjects I enjoyed most such as anatomy and physiology, as well as combining my interests in fitness and applying a clinical science to help others.

This degree would be great if you enjoy subjects like biology or chemistry in high school. If you’re drawn to understanding the complexities of the human body, this degree will give you ample opportunity to be at the frontier of scientific research and contribute to our current body of knowledge, as well as allow you to transition into a career in healthcare.

Be open minded and actively work on broadening your circle. It pays to put yourself out there and take advantage of the rich opportunities to meet people, explore hobbies, and discover new career paths. In addition to making new friends, this can help establish the foundations for a strong professional network.