Icenian Interview – Weronika T

Weronika T joined Langley for Sixth Form in September 2017 and finished in 2019 with A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, EPQ and her native Polish language. Here we find out about Weronika’s remarkable attitude to learning and about making the most of every experience.

Did you know what career you wanted to follow when you were at Langley?

Yes, I knew from the very first day on that I wanted to become a doctor. I had some doubts along the way, and often questioned whether it was really the right choice for me, but my mind always went back to the Medical route and I thank people at Langley very much for that.

Which extra-curricular activities, societies and trips were you involved in?

I was involved in the Biology Olympiad preparation, run by Ms McRobert, as well as yearly Biology trips coordinated by Dr Munday (including to a seed bank and to a conference in London). I took part in a chemistry competition at the UEA with Mr Parker, and a couple of boarding leisure trips, as well as twice to Oxford University open days, thanks to Miss Kisiel.

I completed the Gold Youth STEMM Award as an independent participant, which I learned about during another trip organised by Dr Clegg and Mr Clegg from the Science Department. I was also really happy to take part in the ‘Mindfulness in Schools Project’ in Year 13, which I highly recommend for those approaching A-level exams. I am still working on finishing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Do you think these activities have been a help within your career and given you transferable skills?

Yes, definitely! I would even say that all of them, because they have shaped the way I am today. Following a career that requires life-long learning and constant development demands me to remain active outside my University, and outside the Hospital, and the extracurricular life at Langley has empowered and prepared me for that.

What are you doing now and how did your career begin?

I am currently in my first year of Medicine at Medical University of Lodz, in central Poland. I am still at the very, very beginning of my career, yet I remain open to new experiences within and beyond Medicine. When I was 16, I started voluntary work at different wards in a hospital in Poland, then at 18 I did my work experience for Warsaw Genomics, a company in Poland with whom I hope to work more in the future. Now, I work during summer holidays for the Young Learners Programme at the International House London, where I help to coordinate and organise the yearly English Language summer schools. This year I may work for them online.

What’s next for you and what have been your highlights so far?

As I mentioned, my career options are still open and flexible in the first years of Medicine, allowing space to experiment and explore new horizons. Since the teaching is very much theory-based in Poland at the beginning, I look for exciting new opportunities for growth in different fields as I believe that remaining a well-rounded individual is the key to our current living, where the only constant is change. My recent highlights have been participation in Women in Tech Summit 2019 in Warsaw – the biggest meeting of women in Science and Technology in Europe – plus Women in Tech Days online, as well as my recent successful application for the Academia of the 2020 European Financial Congress in Sopot, Northern Poland.

Did your time at Langley School help inform your career choices and your attitude to your career progression?

Yes. I was relatively focused on what I wanted to do, but Langley carried it further. Mr Kempton helped to organise the practice MMI interview involving many members of staff before my Lancaster interview. Many assemblies and PSHE lessons have also helped me to reflect on my career choice and life in general in an empathic and critical way, which I appreciate a lot.

Is there any advice you would give to students currently considering their A Levels and career choices?

Be brave. Be decisive. You are the one who is in charge of decisions about what you want your life to look like. Do not fear experiences that may seem a failure, because there will be time when you are thankful for those experiences and see them as gifts. Do not be afraid to speak your mind. Believe in serendipity, not only because it is such a beautiful word but because small signs really do matter (at least in my case). Langley will support you well in the process of reaching your potential and successful adult life.

Do you have any regrets?

As always, there was plenty of room for improvement. I regret not taking my AS Physics exams, despite conscientiously studying for the whole year. I also wish I were a more balanced student, one less attached to pure Academia and more into the debating society and Model UN, especially the WHO topics as well as Sport, which is deeply rooted in Langley’s everyday life, instead of always working on my Medicine application. My biggest regret though is not becoming directly involved in productions of Grease nor Bohemian Rhapsody, which both made me especially proud of being a student at Langley.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to thank Vicky – who runs the Sixth Form centre café – for the lovely make-up bags and ties she handmade for everyone at the end of Sixth Form, and for the lucky exam charm – a star from Dr Mason! Happy memories.