As part of our National Careers Week and British Science week celebrations, we wanted to continue to promote the role of women in STEM and were fortunate enough to secure an interview with a scientist. Previous Scientists have included Physicist who have worked for NASA, Biologists and vets… see if you can work out what this year’s Secret Scientist’s role is….

Mrs Jones: Thank you for your time today and for speaking to us.

Secret Scientist: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share my journey and hopefully inspire some future scientists.

Mrs Jones: So, to kick things off, can you tell me which subjects you took for A-Level that enabled you to embark on such an exciting career?

Secret Scientist: I took Biology, Chemistry, and Maths at A-Level, as they were essential for studying medicine. I also did Psychology AS Level, which gave me a great insight into human behaviour—very useful for working with children!

Mrs Jones: Can you tell me where you studied at university and which subject/s?

Secret Scientist: I studied Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. It was a six-year course that combined medical science with practical placements in hospitals. Their medical school was established in 1726 so I knew I’d be in good hands there!

Mrs Jones: What inspired you to choose this career?

Secret Scientist: I’ve always been fascinated by how the human body works, but my real inspiration came from wanting to help people—especially children. When I was younger, I had an amazing doctor who made a big difference in my life, and that experience stayed with me. I also love how children bring a unique energy to medicine—one moment, they’re unwell, and the next, they’re smiling and telling you about their favourite cartoon. That resilience is what makes paediatrics so special.

Mrs Jones: What kind of skills do you need for this job?

Secret Scientist: You need a strong understanding of science and medicine, but that’s just the foundation. Patience and empathy are crucial because working with children means you have to build trust with both them and their families. Good communication skills are also key—sometimes, I have to explain complex medical conditions in a way that a five-year-old or a worried parent can understand. And finally, problem-solving skills help a lot, as children can’t always describe what’s wrong, so I have to piece together clues like a detective!

Mrs Jones: What was your first job on graduating, and what did this entail?

Secret Scientist: My first job was as a junior doctor in a paediatrics ward. I worked with senior doctors to diagnose and treat children with various illnesses, from common infections to more complex conditions. It was a steep learning curve, but incredibly rewarding!

Mrs Jones: How did studying science A-Levels specifically help you with your job?

Secret Scientist: Science A-Levels gave me the foundation of knowledge I needed for medical school. Biology helped me understand the human body, Chemistry was essential for learning about medications, and Maths improved my problem-solving skills, which I use every day in diagnosing and treating patients. I enjoyed my AS in Psychology because – as stated previously – it really did help me to connect with the children and to determine they whys of their behaviours.

Mrs Jones: What does a ‘typical’ day look like for you?

Secret Scientist: No two days are the same! I start by checking on my patients, reviewing test results, and speaking with families. I spend a lot of time diagnosing and treating illnesses, whether that’s infections, asthma, or long-term conditions like diabetes. I also work with other specialists, teach medical students, and sometimes deal with emergency cases in the children’s ward. We also have to work long shifts, and this includes weekends and holidays; Christmas and New Year and overnights as well. Our days really aren’t the same at all but there’s still no other job I’d rather do. I consider myself really lucky.

Mrs Jones: What are your career highs?

Secret Scientist: Seeing a seriously ill child recover and go home is the best feeling in the world. Another career high was when I helped develop a hospital initiative to support childrenwith autism, making medical visits less stressful for them and their families.

Mrs Jones: And the lows?

Secret Scientist: The hardest part is dealing with very sick children and delivering difficult news to families. It’s emotionally tough, but we always try to provide the best care and support possible. People often forget that it’s the families who need looking after as well as the children. This was something that I wasn’t prepared for when I first started out.

Mrs Jones: What advice would you give to anyone looking to study this at university?

Secret Scientist: If you’re passionate about helping people and interested in science, go for it! Medicine is challenging, but so, so rewarding. Try to get work experience in a hospital or GP practice to see if it’s the right fit for you. Also, don’t be afraid of setbacks—resilience is key. You might not be able to get lots of experience if you’re under 18 but there are lots of places which offer shadowing days, or lectures etc and I’d advise anyone to get in touch with those if possible. The more experience you have, and the more you can show you’ve got a genuine interest in the subject, it will help. Look for any examples of volunteering as well because this gives you good experience of dealing with the community and a range of ages.

Mrs Jones: Ok. Last question: What advice would you give to St Julie’s students hoping to follow in your footsteps?

Secret Scientist: Believe in yourself and stay curious! Science and medicine are constantly evolving, so never stop learning. Work hard, ask questions, and most importantly, find what inspires you. Whether it's helping children, researching new treatments, or working in global health, there's a place for everyone in science.