About my current job
As a clinical scientist working for the NHS, I help children and adults with hearing loss. My particular areas of interest are implantable hearing devices and developing at patient centred outcome measures. I love the variety of my role, which routinely encompasses counselling, problem solving, teaching and (when time permits!) my own research. I also work with the Department of Health as a Clinical Reference Group expert.
I'm also passionate about improving access to Audiology across the world. For example, travelling to Kenya to lecture on the only MSc in Audiology on the continent (at that time), and visiting to Nepal several times to help set up an Audiology Department in a new Ear Hospital and Training Centre (see www.EarAidNepal for more details).
How did my education influence my career path?
My DPhil topic was Auditory Processing which is clearly very relevant to Audiology. But the transferable skills I was taught are perhaps more important. For example, using and interpreting statistics, writing clearly, experimental design and time management.
Something important I learned during my time at EP
Analytical rigour and the value of grit and persistence. As an international student who had never been outside of her home town, there was a lot to learn at Oxford and the MSc curriculum was challenging and thorough. One of the best learnings I took away from the program was an ability to balance academic workload with fostering peer relationships. Some of my deepest friendships that still endure are from my EP days. At last count: one peer has been my flatmate in London, two invited me to their weddings, baby showers, etc. etc., and several remain my friends to this day.
How did my education influence my career path?
Moving from Neuroscience/Psychology to strategy consulting/banking was hardly straightforward or predictable. However, the analytical understanding of one of the most complex systems does translate effortlessly into management consulting, which as a profession is quite simply problem solving at pace and at scale.
Fond memories of my time at EP
One of my funniest memories is from an ERP experiment for my DPhil. The room we were working in didn't have a water supply, so we ended up using a portable dog wash to wash people's hair once the cap was removed! Fortunately, it was a deluxe model and most people didn't seem to mind or notice, but using it always made me chuckle.
