Patrick's story

"A typical day on placement would include shadowing a biomedical scientist or microbiology consultant."

A typical day on my placement would include shadowing a biomedical scientist or a microbiology consultant. You get to try a bit of everything. They’ve offered me a job there when I graduate which is really exciting! I can’t wait to go back be more hands-on and actually doing the practical work myself. I formed great relationships there too, they’re like my second family. I’ve always wanted to do something science-related so Biomedical Science was the best fit for me.

I’m really inspired by my parents’ work ethic. They work really hard, and it inspires me to do better and seize all the opportunities I can get. I’ve definitely taken advantage of all the opportunities available at Essex.

As well as my placement year, I’ve completed the Gold Big Essex Award for employability, I’ve worked as a Community Assistant for Residence Life, and I spent a year learning Spanish through Languages for All, which was really helpful when I went to Malaga with my family for Christmas! No one else in my family speaks Spanish so I had to interpret some things which was exciting.

I’ve also been a part of the University Athletics Club during my time here, training with the local team, the Colchester Harriers. I do 100m and 200m as well as relay.

If I could go back in time I would tell myself to just be more confident. When you get to university, everyone is in the same boat but there’s so much help available. I’ve really grown as a person, and now I know that I can do anything I want to. All I really needed to do was believe in myself.