Why I started this journey and other feelings
Doing something where I feel like I can make a difference has always been important to me. Even back when I used to work as a circus artist, this was mostly about wanting to make people laugh and smile. This may seem a little arrogant, but with life experience and work experience in health I have ideas about how to make the UK health system work better. Prior to applying to do a PhD I had applied for some exciting roles where I thought I would be able to put some of my ideas into practice. I was even interviewed for some of them, but didn't quite make it. It seemed like something was missing. whilst I was clearly getting close to getting a dream job where I could make a difference to the health system it seemed like I wasn't quite there yet.
I started looking into applying for funding to do a PhD as a way of getting the credibility I needed. This may seem like quite an extreme move, so I guess I better explain. To start with I was not trying to get just any job. My aim was, and still is to eventually to end up in a role where I have the credibility or seniority to be able to influence how the NHS, or at least part of it, is structured. I had also noticed that a common theme in interviews for some of the most exciting roles, was questions about what papers I'd published if any. Hmmn what could I do to gain credibility and find opportunities to publish papers.
It also occurred to me that the health sector, is one with a lot of very well qualified people in it. So I figured that if I am going to be taken seriously I better make sure I really know what I'm talking about. After getting a distinction on a PG Cert I managed to secure employment at Sheffield Hallam University, in a role that included funding for a PhD. I did have some feelings about being a little too old to be starting this journey (I still do), but everyone seemed to tell me that you are never too old to start a PhD. So here goes.
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