After working in research for the last ten years, including undertaking an Honours degree and a PhD, the decision was made to move out of research and into another career. Research is a difficult field with constant battles to get funding, moderate pay and lack of job stability.
I had been looking at alternatives for the last 12 months and decided that the clinical/diagnostic field was the way to go. My 10 month old daughter has a heart condition so I explored cardiology as a potential career path. A position recently became available at a public hospital. I applied, made it through to the interview and was informed that I was the successful applicant. The position is a Cardiovascular Investigation Officer and the roles include being trained in echocardiography, assisting cardiologists in catheterisation procedures, electrophysiology and assisting with pacemaker programming and follow-ups.
I'm very excited to be starting this new career
. It's a permanent full-time position and it's really considered a long-term job, which is great news given I have a family to support. Job prospects are much better than what they are in research and the pay is pretty good, particularly if you take on some private work.