The first-ever online careers event run by HDR UK proved a real success with around 100 people taking part.

They were able to hear from experts and insiders about health data research opportunities in industry, academia and the NHS.

Among the speakers were Kevin Pollock of Bristol-Myers Squibb, Richard Wyatt-Haines from HCI Digital and Amanda Darekar of Pfizer. They were joined by Zoe Turner and Sammi Rosser from the NHS and Tammy Palmer of HDR UK as well as career coach Sarah Hodgkins.

The event, led by HDR UK Chief Talent and Training Officer Tim Frayling, took place on 21 June and was aimed at people involved with the Institute’s internship and higher education programmes.

Rosie Wakeham, HDR UK Head of Training, said:

“It was the first time we’ve run a careers events and so it was very much a pilot. But we had 100 people take part and the feedback showed that they really valued the session – so it’s definitely something we’ll be doing again.

“Our aim was to give people from our MSc programme, the Black Internships and the Biomedical Vacation Scholarships – and others – the chance to find out what kind of future careers they could have in health data research.”

Comments included “Loved to hear the daily experiences of data analysts” and “All the speakers were professional and concise”.

The event was intended to be highly practical, with participants able to hear about the experience of HDR UK alumni Eloise Withnell and Steven Wambua.

The panel were asked a range of questions covering topics such as:

  • The qualifications needed to get into different areas of work.
  • How clinicians can transition into health data science.
  • Planning your training to suit future health data science career goals.
  • Opportunities for digital health experts to act as consultants to business ventures.

The event was free to attend and a video download is available here.

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