Radiation Therapy student Abby Grimaldi is passionate about her field of study.
If you ask a young person what their dream career is, it's not often that you'll hear the response “Radiation Therapist”.
For Abby Grimaldi this is exactly where she sees her life heading.
“I hadn't known that Radiation Therapy was a career option. It isn't something that many people know about. In high school I was part of a group called the Incubator Programme and we would go to different workplaces and find out how to follow that career path. One day we went to the radiation therapy department at the hospital and that's when I discovered it.”
“I've always loved science and when I went into the clinic I knew I wanted to do it. It was the atmosphere, the people and the work that had me interested. Studying this has confirmed I made the right choice.”
The Bachelor of Radiation Therapy first- year student says she relocated from Dunedin to Wellington for this course of study, which is the only undergraduate study option at the lower North Island campus.
“Wellington is the only place in New Zealand where you can study Radiation Therapy but it's actually a really important line of work – it can take you anywhere in the country and almost anywhere in the world.”
“It's such an interesting course. There is a lot of info to learn so it's quite intense, but I love it. There's so many things to discover, things that you haven't heard before and the learning is relevant and real-life focussed.”
Abby says that the work is good for those who like working with other people, science and have a genuine heart for others.
“I see this as a way to look after the community and give to others. Because of the nature of radiation therapy, you're working with people who are going through a lot. I would say to people who are interested in pursuing this line of work or study, you need to be very open-minded and empathetic. It's a sensitive topic and you need to be good at adapting as well as working with people. It is a rewarding career though and I would recommend it.”
You can find out more about the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy here.
Kōrero by Internal Communications Adviser, Chelsea McRae