Year 12 students from St Paul’s Way Sixth Form recently had the opportunity to attend the Medical Carousel networking event, hosted by the Worshipful Company of Barbers in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons of England. The event was designed to support aspiring medical students by providing meaningful insight into careers in healthcare through direct engagement with professionals and current medical students.

Throughout the session, students participated in a carousel format, rotating between a series of discussion stations. At each station, they met doctors, surgeons and trainees representing a range of medical specialties. This structure enabled students to have focused, small group conversations, creating a supportive environment in which they could ask questions freely and engage in open dialogue.

Students explored a variety of topics, including the different routes into medicine, the academic requirements for medical school and the day to day realities of working in healthcare. Hearing first hand experiences from professionals helped to demystify the profession and gave students a clearer understanding of what to expect from a career in medicine. It also allowed them to consider the diversity of roles available within the field.

The event encouraged students to think critically about their own aspirations while building confidence in communicating with professionals.

Opportunities such as this are invaluable in helping young people make informed decisions about their future pathways, while also highlighting the importance of networking and mentorship in competitive career fields.

This experience strongly reflects our school value of Integrity, as students demonstrated professionalism, respect and commitment while engaging with experts. Their thoughtful participation and willingness to learn from others highlights the importance of acting with honesty and responsibility when preparing for future careers in medicine.