Lily Starling
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
I am a Practicing Doctor.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I chose this profession as from my early teens I realised I needed to be in a role where I could be constantly developing my knowledge and skills, whilst being able to leave at the end of the day and feel I’ve made a positive difference in the world.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I enjoyed the clubs down in Truro, as part of the medical school such as Netball and Touch Rugby. I also was part of the committee for the Wilderness medicine society.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
My biggest highlight was being able to discover a work life balance, by having the opportunity to come to Cornwall and start running and surfing.
What did you most enjoy about studying here?
The friends I made, how I could develop the skills I needed to become an adult in a safe environment, whilst working towards a career.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
I knew the South West would make me happy. The way I moved around different hospitals gave me a chance to see more of the world, and on my interview day everyone was so friendly and I felt it fit.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
I think developing the ability to advocate for my work life balance. Understanding the importance of managing my time, and how this could feel so empowering. Having a degree that was also quite logistics heavy in terms of moving around also prepared me well for the job.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
It’s not easy. Medical school prepares you very well I think, especially at Exeter to become a doctor but it is hard. Try to remember the first lecture where you are told you have made it into medical school, and all the hard work has paid off. That feeling carries you through.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m not sure, I would like to do some teaching for my medical school, and am exploring what specialty I want to do. Internal medicine and GP are my thoughts at the moment.
