Varndean25 - Flipbook - Page 72
ADVANCED LEVEL COURSES
WHERE ARE
THEY NOW?
Take a look at where some of our past students are now and the
interesting and diverse career paths they are following.
MAGDALENA LECH
BILLIE JO BECKER
Magdalena studied the
International Baccalaureate
Diploma and went on
to study a Batchelors in
Medicine and Surgery
at the University of
Southampton, during
which time she carried out
clinical placements at the
University of Nebraska
Medical Centre in the US.
In 2021, she successfully completed her
dissertation in anaesthetics and critical care
entitled ‘Perioperative Anaemia Management
in Elective Orthopaedic Patients in University
Hospital Southampton in 2018 and 2019’. Her work
achieved an equivalent grade of a First.
From Sept 2021 – May 2022, Magdalena achieved
a First in her Intercalated BSc in Pharmacology
from King’s College London. Her dissertation
focused on ‘The impact of mitotane therapy on
serum free proteins in patients with adrenocortical
carcinoma’ which has since been published in
‘Endocrine Connections’.
Magdalena returned to Varndean earlier this year
to assist students with their medical entrance
interviews and more recently to deliver a clinical
skills session on cranial nerve examination. The
session proved informative and valuable in helping
potential candidates hone their skills in how to
examine patients as well as crucial anatomy and
physiology of the cranial nerves.
Magdalena says: “I am enthusiastic about giving
back to the community that had contributed to
my journey into medical school and now looking
forward to initiating a new chapter in my life as a
qualified doctor from August 2024 at University
Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.”
Billie-Jo is currently working as a journalist for ITV
News based in Jersey, Channel Islands. Previously
she worked with ITV News Meridian covering
the South and South East of England. She is
responsible for a combination of producing, news
research, planning and digital.
Billie-Jo says: “Varndean College was fantastic
and I developed lots of skills throughout my time
there which help me in my job now. I particularly
enjoyed Sociology as we touched on lots of
important topics. These now help me to fulfil my
role as a journalist when I am covering human
interest stories.”
Former School:
Bedes
Studied:
International
Baccalaureate Diploma
(2016-18)
72
Progression
Medicine & Surgery,
University of
Southampton (2018-24)
Former School:
Patcham High
Studied:
English Language,
English Literature,
Sociology (2015-17)
Progression
BA Politics &
International Relations,
University of Kent
(2018-21)
MA Broadcast
Journalism, City
University of London
(2022-23)