Sabine Hoadley
Current Employer/Organisation Name
University of Exeter
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
I am a student at the University of Exeter and I am currently preparing for my final undergraduate exams for Medical Science. I have recently (thankfully!) just got a job at CP+R as a clinical exercise specialist, which I will begin in October.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I heard about this career through career zone! I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, as Medical Science leaves many doors open for employment. After considering the idea of Medicine, I realised that I am not ready for this huge academic commitment at the moment, and perhaps it will be something to come back to in the future. Then I heard about the role as a Clinical Exercise Specialist at CP+R and it really stood out to me. We will deliver sustained, life-changing healthcare to CP+R athletes through monitored exercise sessions, nutritional guidance and lifestyle advice and support. I am very excited to start this role, and having met with the team via zoom meetings and visited the workplace on Harley Street, I can’t wait to begin working with some of the athletes.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I have been an active member of the surf club since first year at Exeter. I think it is evident how lucky we are in contrast to other universities, how close we are to the beach. Saturday surf trips have been a highlight of university for me, and I always look forward to spending the days at the beach with friends. The surf society is fantastic and has been the perfect way to meet friends, as well as go on a number of surf trips abroad, including to France, Portugal and Morocco. I have also been one of the founding members of Friends of the Earth at Exeter, and acted as Treasurer, responsible for sourcing grants for our group. As a group, we focussed on grassroots community action in Exeter, fighting for a better planet (local actions, global effects). We ran a sustainable cooking workshop back in March, that tried to encourage people to incorporate seasonal and local produce into their cooking. I also took part in Fight Night this year, which I had always promised myself I would sign up to since first year. Being in my final year of uni, this was a balance of extreme stress work wise with my dissertation, and training 4 times a week for Fight Night. Funnily enough I found that it was actually one of my favourite terms at uni- it was the perfect opportunity to stress bust while working out on the punching bags!
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
The opportunity on our course to do a Professional Training Year, meant that I got to spend a year in Australia working in a Laboratory at the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research. This was such a fantastic year, not only living in Brisbane, but also having it as part of my degree!
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
Some of my highlights were definitely in the surf club- I loved all the people in the surf society and the trips like the Newquay weekenders were always so much fun!
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
My cousin studied at Exeter and loved it. She graduated a couple of years before I got to Exeter, and she always spoke very highly of her time at Exeter. Also, a big factor for me was choosing a university in which I could travel to the beach easily. Surfing is a huge hobby of mine, so being able to continue this was definitely something I had to consider when choosing which uni to go to!
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
I signed up for the Career Mentor Scheme whilst I was in 3rd year which was invaluable to my career insight. Chris Moody was an excellent mentor and gave me a lot of help with my CV and cover letters, as well as providing some really fantastic insight into his work life. Also doing my placement year in Australia was invaluable to my career – so I would say take any opportunity that are given to you!
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Not to be cliché but don’t be afraid of failure!! I had applied to quite a few jobs before I got the one that I have now been offered but it just goes to show that the right thing comes around if you wait for it. I also think that applications give you so much experience on how to deal with different situations as well as the opportunity to improve your interview technique and gain confidence with the sort of questions that they might ask.
What are your plans for the future?
Based on the preliminary work of my dissertation project, I have been selected as one of four final year Exeter students who will be presenting abstracts (now Online due to Covid-19) at:”3D Printing, Advanced Robotics and Automation (3DPARA) in London, United Kingdom, 21st – 22nd May 2020″. My dissertation has looked at the possible uses of 3D printing for application in the Medical Field. Under the excellent supervision of Mohammad Akrami and Reza Zamani, they have helped me to pursue this opportunity, and I am excited to present my project at this event.
