Sophia Adey
Current Employer/Organisation Name
University of East Anglia
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
After I graduated, I moved to Germany and worked there for a bit and explored the country. When I lost my job and things started to get a bit difficult during the pandemic, I moved back to England and worked in the care sector as these were the only jobs available at the time for me in the area. I applied to study Midwifery Bsc and successfully got in, deferred a year and continued to work as a carer, saving up for University. Now I am a student midwife and work as an agency worker part time at a Mental Health Hospital in Norfolk.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I had always loved politics, which is what I studied at Exeter, but also had always loved the idea of being a midwife. Studying so far and working in the hospitals on placement has been so satisfying and rewarding, empowering women and families to make their choices, informed with all the information I can find. I feel that in the future, I will be able to use my politics degree within the health sector. Midwifery is highly political and my degree has been incredibly useful in regards to this.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was a member of the netball society and the debate club.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
I enjoyed the study abroad immensely, which led to me moving over to Germany and where I plan to move after I graduate again. I thoroughly enjoyed studying the psychological side of politics and what influences we have that leads us to particular political beliefs and ideals.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
I enjoyed how relaxed the community at the campus was. I was based in Penryn – a beautiful town in Cornwall – and it was so amazing mixing with Falmouth University and having that diversity of ideas and perspectives.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
I chose Exeter because I love to research and I knew that being a Russell Group university, it meant there was going to be a lot of independent research and the flexibility of choosing what areas within modules that we could explore and write about.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
The study abroad in Mannheim, Germany developed my independence and self-reliance, but also the confidence to approach new people, new cultures and explore those. This has been incredibly useful for everything I have done since. I cannot express how important the study abroad was for me, it changed me as a person and helped me become who I am now.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Nothing is ever set in stone. Your wants and needs change as you grow and learn new things. I wanted to be a politician because I was fed up with the ones we have in the UK. However, I’m now going to be a midwife and the research skills and everything else I learnt at Exeter has helped me make that decision. Paths change and it’s never too late to try something.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan on graduating as a midwife, passing my B2 German language certificate and moving to Germany to work as a midwife and perhaps in the future, do something that involves both the health sector and politics.
