Y.I.R
☰
Y.I.R
"Welcome to YIR community".
This is my personal journey into the radiography field, transitioning from a former medical applicant to becoming a qualified radiographer. I've always known I wanted to work in healthcare and make an impact, so like many, I considered the 'usual' options: medicine, nursing, pharmacy - you name it…. Medicine was my first choice. However, I soon realized that the demanding lifestyle of medicine wasn't for me. Still, life has a way of nudging you where you're meant to be. Through a friend I met in my A-level Chemistry class, I discovered Radiography and that moment changed everything.
Many young people—just like me—might feel like their career options are 'limited' because we're only shown a narrow path, and other times it's simply because we don't know what else is out there. If that's you, you're not alone…I'm here to show you that healthcare has a lot more to offer than just medicine or nursing or pharmacy—Radiography is a hidden gem in healthcare, and through my journey, I want to help young people to see what's possible for them.
P.S. I'm just a girl who's figuring it out – and I hope you'll join me on this journey.
I was born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, where I completed my primary and high school education. After one year of sixth form at Arundel School in Zimbabwe, I moved to the UK and continued with my A Levels. In Year 12, I applied for Medicine - my childhood dream, receiving three rejections and one interview offer. By Year 13, everything changed.
I met a friend who introduced me to Radiography, a field I had barely heard of. The more I learnt, the more I realised that medicine no longer aligned with the future I envisioned. Also, watching my best friend's journey in medicine gave me even more clarity: it wasn't the path for me. So I made a bold choice to walk away from it and apply for Therapeutic Radiography instead – receiving three offers.
However, life brought financial challenges and I couldn't start university. I had to find another way. I applied for several jobs and was fortunate to find one in a hospital as a facilities technician (ward housekeeper) on a dialysis ward. I continued applying for radiography roles and apprenticeships—facing rejection after rejection—until I finally became a Radiography Assistant.
While researching radiography, I noticed something important: unlike medicine or nursing, radiography didn't have many visible platforms showcasing its value or explaining what it truly is or what opportunities it offers, especially for the youth. I wondered how many young people like me, believed their options were limited simply because they weren't exposed to the full range of healthcare careers. I discovered radiography by chance, but I want others to find it with intention.
I want young people to understand the breadth of healthcare careers, and to feel empowered to make informed decisions about their futures. At first, I thought "I should wait until I am a qualified radiographer to share my story"—but there is no better time than now. Even as a radiography assistant, I want to help young people discover healthcare pathways beyond the familiar ones and to choose their futures with understanding and confidence.
And this is where my journey truly begins…
To break down the barriers of traditional healthcare career paths, showing that radiography offers a unique, rewarding, and often underappreciated avenue for making a significant difference in patient care.
To motivate students to consider careers in radiography and increase understanding of the diverse opportunities in the healthcare field beyond traditional paths.