Leaving Cert students from six Donegal secondary schools got hands-on experience in medical and dental work at an interactive careers event in Derry last week.
The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) recently hosted the successful information evening for final year students at Altnagelvin Hospital. Ninety-six students from schools and colleges across Derry, Limavady, Strabane, Coleraine, Maghera, Magherafelt and from Co Donegal who are interested in a career in medicine and dentistry attended.
Frontline medical, dental staff and current medical students provided interactive work stations. Ryan Flynn a third year medical student gave a very informative and well received talk on swotUP, the medical school application society initiative led by current medical students to encourage applications to medicine from all schools through a widening participation programme.
SwotUP run information sessions for year 13 and 14 students and graduates thinking of applying to medicine, including help and advice for UCAS applications, UKCAT/ GMSAT tests and MMI interview practice sessions.
Anne Love, Western Trust Volunteer Services and Work Experience Manager, who co-ordinates this annual event said: “This is a valuable opportunity for local students to engage with professional staff to gain a greater understanding of their chosen career.
“They enjoy the hands-on experience of working with medical and dental practitioners at a variety of workstations. Students use this opportunity to garner material to enhance their CVs and University applications (UCAS). They also improve their knowledge by speaking with staff about the role of the modern medical and dental practitioner. The feedback from this pioneering event has been extremely positive.”
