Meet Griffith University Bachelor of Biomedical Science graduate Che Hooper. Like many students leaving high school, Che was unsure of the career direction she wanted to take, but with a bachelor degree up her sleeve, a gap year backpacking through Asia accomplished and a Doctor of Medicine underway, she certainly has a clear vision now. Che shared her experiences as an undergraduate student at Griffith University.
Why did you decide to study biomedical science?
When I left high school I really had no idea what I wanted to do, so I was searching for a university that could provide me with a course that was interesting, but also flexible enough that if I decided I wanted to go in a different direction, there were many options available to me. The structure of biomedical science really appealed to me because the core subjects were shared between lots of other degrees, allowing me the option of gaining credit for those subjects if I wanted to change.
Griffith University also provided me with a lot of support. I was lucky enough to receive two scholarships which made studying at university possible. I am incredibly grateful to Griffith for this financial support as I was able to achieve remarkable results with the financial strain of attending university and living out of home taken care of.
“My fondest memories were the travel that I got to do during my degree. Not only was I having an absolute blast the entire time, but the skills you learn whilst abroad shape you into a more well-rounded and open-minded person and are highly valued by employers.”
What was your fondest memory studying at Griffith?
My fondest memories were the multiple overseas experiences that I had during my degree. I used one of my free electives to travel to Madrid, Spain where I lived with a local family and learned basic Spanish. At the end of my degree, I participated in the Asia Future Fellows Program, which involved travelling to Beijing to meet students from Peking University. As part of this program, we worked with Australian and Chinese students to publish a paper on some aspect of the China-Australia relationship, which was challenging and rewarding as it was my first published work!
My international experiences are by far the highlight of my time at uni and would not have been possible had I not gone to Griffith. Not only was I having an absolute blast the entire time, but the skills you learn whilst abroad shape you into a more well-rounded and open-minded person and are highly valued by employers.
Were you involved in any clubs and societies at Griffith?
I was involved in the Griffith Honours College for the three years of my undergraduate degree. They provided me with amazing support such as mentorship programs and ran some great courses such as Critical Thinking Workshops and Mental Health First Aid workshops. I also did some volunteering through them where I helped run a school holiday program at the Maritime Museum for school-aged kids.
What challenges have you faced while studying and how did you overcome them?
Some of my biggest challenges in my undergrad were based around moving away from home to a city where I knew no one. My whole support network, all my friends and family, were in Lismore and I was starting at a new university where I also had to learn how to cook for myself, manage my time and finances.
I quickly found friends in my degree, many of whom were also living out of home for the first time, and I slowly established a support network in Brisbane. Griffith was wonderful at providing tips for money and time management and I knew they could provide more support if I needed it.
What have you been doing since graduation?
After graduation, I took a year off to backpack through Asia. Since then, I have been studying a Doctor of Medicine at Griffith University. I am two years from graduating and next year I begin my first clinical year where I will be placed at the Stanthorpe Hospital.
“Remember there’s more to university than simply studying. Use this time to develop yourself as a person as well as a student”
What advice would you give to someone considering a degree at Griffith University?
Make the most of all the opportunities available to you. University can be a huge change and can be very daunting, but it’s also an incredible few years. Remember there’s more to university than simply studying. Use this time to develop yourself as a person as well as a student – get involved in some clubs, play sports, volunteer. I strongly believe that the knowledge you learn in your degree is what makes you qualified, but it’s the other skills you pick up while at University that will get you hired. There’s something for everyone at Griffith and I really believe it’s what you do outside of the classroom that will make you a more desirable employee.
Learn more about biomedical science in the video below, and on the Griffith University website.
