Yanish Purmah currently works as a Consultant Cardiologist at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust and completed a MD in 2020.
What has your career path been since graduating from the University of Birmingham
I have secured a Consultant Cardiologist post in March 2020 at the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust in Birmingham. The MD degree which I completed at the University of Birmingham was an important factor in securing this position as a Cardiologist.
How did your course help prepare you for your career?
The MD degree which I completed at the University of Birmingham was an important factor in securing this position as a Cardiologist.
Why did you originally apply to do your chosen course at Birmingham?
I did my undergraduate Medical degree from the University of Birmingham Medical School. I found the university to be a great place to study. When it came to choosing where to do my MD research degree, I opted for Birmingham as it has a very high calibre cardiology research department.
What inspired you most during your time at Birmingham? For example, guest speakers, lecturers, research, friendships or extra-curricular activities.
It is a great place to study both as an undergraduate and a post graduate student. There is world-class medical research being performed at the University and being a part of such a team was an inspiration to work hard in order to achieve the desired end result.
What advice would you give to current students studying on the course?
It can take a while to complete a PhD but if you are thinking of a specialist career it may be necessary to do one. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication but it is worth it in the end. It is also a great opportunity to learn about one area in a lot of detail.
What tips/ advice would you give to people who are considering studying your course at Birmingham?
Plan early. Speak to multiple supervisors and get a feel for what research they are working on. Enquire from previous students who worked with those supervisors, what their experiences were and whether they obtained their desired results. Ideally, you should be aiming to work on a project that you find interesting as it is likely that this will be occupying a large part of life over the next few years!
How would you advise people to make the most of their time on their course?
Plan early. You should meet with your supervisor at the beginning of your MD research and at least have an outline of what your thesis should be like. It is helpful to plan chapters at the outset and then work towards writing those chapters in turn. Meet with your supervisors regularly to discuss any issues and challenges. Aside from your main project, it is also a good idea to get involved in some smaller collaborations and projects as guided by your main supervisor. As well as improving your networking skills, this will also allow you to get your name on some extra collaborative publications.