Alumni Stories: Don’t be in too much of a hurry
After graduating from Liverpool School of Medicine in 1972, Linda de Cossart was admitted into the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) of England in 1978 at a time when there were few female surgeons.
She went on to specialise in vascular surgery and became director of medical education at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Mrs de Cossart was elected vice president of the RCS in 2008 and was awarded a CBE in 2010.
In this video, she shares more on her wide-spanning medical career along with advice and wise words for today’s student doctors who may aspire to follow in her footsteps.
“I chose to become a surgeon probably as I was finishing my medical undergraduate career. The enjoyment of learning your specialty career in medicine is the journey that you make in order to learn that ultimately you will arrive at some fixed post.
So don't be in too much of a hurry and don't worry if you don't get onto the right programme at the right time.
During the first few years after graduation, many people change the specialty interest that they originally had. And that's normal. That's OK.”
Linda had to take some time away from her work and her research when she contracted an illness.
“But as you can see from my CV, if you should have a look at it, that didn't blight actually my continuing progress. So I guess most people will have some sort of hiccup during their career and the important thing is to make sure that you share your anxieties about things with friends, family, mentors in the profession and those that you actually are close to. And don't be worried that actually you don't get there as fast as possible.
The important thing is to enjoy what you're doing and to appreciate the opportunities that being a doctor gives you.
Watch the full video (link) for more insights into the impressive career of our School Alumna.
Discover more
- Wondering about your future career path? Liverpool Student Doctors have access to dedicated careers guidance, including an exclusive catalogue of medical specialty videos. Head to the Careers Support section of the student intranet (link) for more information.
- Interested in vascular surgery? Why not join Liverpool Vascular Surgery Society (link) or Surgical Scousers (link) via Liverpool Guild of Students.
- Are you one of our School alumni and have a story to share? Or do you know someone you would like us to spotlight? Drop us a line at mednews@liverpool.ac.uk.
- Get insights and advice from School Alumni as they reminisce on their days at Liverpool and the careers they went on to create on our Alumni Stories webpage (link).