Kiara Smith

Why did you choose to study at the University of Birmingham?

UoB is a prestigious university that possesses a wealth of knowledgeable academic lecturers and a diverse student cohort. With these attributes, the university is well placed to allow students to enter the working world armed with a breadth of skillsets both culturally and academically.

What made you choose your course, and what interested you most about the subject?

As a Genetic Technologist I was eager to get a better understanding of the developments taking place within the field of genomic medicine, while also using the taught modules to improve my decision-making and abilities within my professional role. The course covers a wide variety of fields related to genomic medicine allowing me to apply critical thinking to complex genomic concepts while developing additional expertise outside of my current professional role. 

What do you enjoy most about your course?

The lectures and teaching staff are experts in their respective fields, whether in research and academic fields, or the clinical and patient-focussed application of genomic medicine. With this diversity comes the opportunity for students to obtain a wholistic understanding of genomic medicine, allowing me to gain an appreciation for the novel developments taking place within the field and its impact on patients and our national health service.

How would you describe the teaching, learning environment, and support from your lecturers?

The teaching and the learning environment prioritise fostering an open and safe environment for students to voice opinions and concerns. They encourage students to ask questions and apply crucial critical analysis to lecture content and case studies. They also encourage any issues to be raised in a timely manner to best support the student cohort. I would describe it as supportive, communicative and optimising.

How has your course helped you develop the knowledge and skills you'll need for your future career?

My course has helped me develop a keen ability to critically assess complex genomic concepts and apply them to clinical and academic case studies. I envisage this will form part of an essential skillset that will inform a variety of decision-making situations that I will encounter over my working career in genomic medicine.

What are your career goals after graduation, and how has your course prepared you to achieve them?

As a part-time Genomic Medicine student, I hope to continue working towards and achieving a full MSc in Genomic Medicine by undertaking future modules alongside my full-time role as a Genetic Technologist to continue improving my skillset.