Luke took part in our Summer School programme back in 2008, focusing on Medicine as a subject. Luke graduated from university as a doctor over ten years ago and is now close to finishing training as an anaesthetist. Luke shared some memories from his programme and reflections on his career path since:

Tell us a bit about your background

“I’m from South Wales and went to a state comprehensive school which I absolutely loved. Nobody in my family had been to University before. It was my ambition to become a doctor but I didn’t know anyone who had been to University or anyone who worked as a doctor or other similar profession. As a result, this goal felt out of reach and even arranging things like work experience felt almost impossible.”

What was a highlight of the programme for you?

“I cannot emphasise enough how much the Sutton Trust medicine programme helped me to feel that I could belong in the University environment and that people from a working-class background such as my own were wanted and valued. Experiencing the University environment and meeting other prospective students from similar backgrounds gave me the confidence that I could be successful there.

The Sutton Trust kickstarted me on my journey to where I am today and I am forever grateful!”

Tell us more about your career. What are your plans for the future?

“I graduated as a doctor over ten years ago and I’m now close to finishing my training as an anaesthetist. My work as a doctor has taken me across the UK (training in Devon and Cornwall, and working in Cardiff, Bridgend, and now London) and also overseas (working in Tanzania). My specific interests are regional anaesthesia (pain-relieving procedures), neuroanaesthesia (brain and spine surgery), and leadership development.“

What advice would you give to younger Sutton Trust alumni wanting to go into your sector or students considering applying for our programme?

“Any opportunity that is available to you such as this you should take, especially at this age where the rest of your lives are being shaped, and especially when we haven’t had the opportunities available to others who are also attempting to achieve the same goals. Despite only a relatively small percentage of the population being educated in private schools, a very large percentage of doctors come from private schools – so especially in Medicine, we need doctors from all backgrounds and it is even more important that you take the opportunities available to you!”

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