Frankie Jaffa MChem

First year Medicine student

I have become the ultimate professional student and taken a rather convoluted but much enjoyed route to eventually studying medicine. By the time I graduate for the third time I will have been a student for eleven years!

Many graduates struggle to differentiate themselves from other well qualified and often experienced competitors but a degree in Chemistry - especially one from Southampton University, is so versatile and highly respected it can be applied to a myriad of careers.

I had never considered a career in healthcare until the final year of my chemistry degree, partly due to an interesting medicinal chemistry module. I dismissed the idea as a PhD was my plan, and had been since my teens, so I started one with John Dyke in Atmospheric Chemistry. It was a fascinating subject area and John was so enthusiastic and supportive but since graduating I had begun to think more seriously about medicine as I had heard about a new graduate entry course. So I eventually decided, after a lot of sleepless nights, to give medicine a go! Things didn't exactly happen according to plan, however, and since that decision I have worked as a healthcare assistant, a GP receptionist, a recruitment researcher, a physiotherapy clinic manager and a telephonist before completing an MSc in nursing. I am now in my first year of a medicine degree and thoroughly enjoying every minute.

It is not only the academic ability and standard that a degree in Chemistry demonstrates but the sheer scope of skills it confers. Many graduates struggle to differentiate themselves from other well qualified and often experienced competitors but a degree in chemistry - especially one from Southampton University - is so versatile and highly respected it can be applied to a myriad of careers. Chemistry has been the ultimate passport for me and you can never beat the ooohs and ahhs after you reveal you have a degree in chemistry!