Alumni Profile: Jessica Au

Alumni Profile

DR. JESSICA AU

What year did you graduate?

2013.

What study did you undertake after Year 12?

After Year 12 I studied a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBiomedSc) at Monash University while also juggling a professional soccer career, having just signed my first professional contract with the Melbourne Victory Women’s Squad in my first year of university. Two years into my degree, I applied for Monash University’s Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (BMedSci/ MD) course and was 1 of 50 offered early entry into medical school.

What advice would you give to someone considering taking this study path?

I would recommend that anyone wanting to study medicine really put in the work during high school to help them get directly into the undergraduate medical degree or undertake a Bachelor of Biomedical Science or Bachelor of Science degree to allow you to apply for a post-graduate medical school. Although medical school is highly competitive, all it takes is hard work and motivation and you will definitely get there!

What influenced your choice of career?

I think there were two big influences in my choice of career, the first was due to my sporting background as I had a keen interest in how the human body functioned and the mechanics behind sporting movements. The second was having family live with medical conditions and feeling helpless when they were unwell. I wanted to improve my medical knowledge so that I could help them in anyway possible. The choice to enter medicine wasn’t one I had right from the outset of high school. I always wanted to pursue a full-time career in football (soccer) and was faced with a difficult decision in Year 12. I was going so well in my football career and was being scouted by clubs across Victoria and told to train full-time and not attend university, but I knew I was also strong academically and that university was also a priority for me. In the end I chose to do both, although it was a lot of hard work and very tiring, in the end it really paid off and I couldn’t be happier with the decision I made. I’m currently a Doctor at the Alfred Hospital and have been selected for the Australian Women’s Futsal Squad to travel overseas to play in international competitions.

Study/Career/Travel/Sporting highlights?

Study highlights would definitely include getting early entry into medical school in the 2nd year of my Biomedical Science degree and being ranked in the top 50 students. Monash University has a program where the top 100 highest performing students in the Biomedical Science degree get an interview for their medical school, with only the top 50 being selected for post-graduate entry. My fondest sporting memories include having won the National Premier League with both Calder United and South Melbourne for outdoor soccer. Whereas, in futsal my greatest achievement would be travelling to Orlando, USA to compete in the World Futsal National Championships where my team placed 2nd overall against teams from around the world. In regards to my career, I believe getting into the Alfred Hospital was a huge step

Alumni Profile

DR. JESSICA AU

for me as working in one of Victoria’s big 4 hospitals really helped me develop as an intern and I’ve learnt and grown so much already as an individual.

I’ve also been so lucky to have been able to travel around Australia and overseas, so far I’ve been to Portugal, USA (Orlando & Hawaii) and Thailand. I definitely hope to add more countries to the list as soon as we can travel again!

What skills have you learnt?

I think the most important skills I’ve learnt have been leadership, time management and how to meaningfully interact with others. Leadership is so important as you progress through your career and I believe that being involved in leadership roles at St. Aloysius really helped provide me with the confidence and skills needed to problem solve and overcome any obstacle in my way. I learnt how to be assertive, but also kind and compassionate which is essential if you’re going to excel in a team. I also learnt the importance of time management and that if you really want to achieve your dreams and accomplish what you want out of life then you will find time. Sometimes it means sacrificing a few things along the way, but in the end it will all be worth it when you’ve reached your goals.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?

I think the biggest challenge I’ve overcome wouldn’t be any single moment but more dealing with the fear of failure and selfdoubt. I think when you’re aiming very high with your goals there’s always that fear that you won’t make it because it’s not easy and there are so many hurdles you have to jump before you reach your goal. I remember telling people I wanted to get into medical school and was met with negativity from my peers that I would never get there and that only students who went to private school got into medicine, which really made me question whether I should pick an easier career path. I think for those reading this who are going through that same struggle, my only advice is to listen to your heart and ignore the selfdoubt that people may attempt to project on you. If you really want something, whether it’s wanting to become a fashion designer, a musician, athlete or doctor, you just have to give it 100% and most of the time you will get there with that attitude. One of my favourite quotes is ‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars’ and I think that really inspired me to always aim high in anything I did whether it be academic or sporting-related.

How do you recall your time at StAloysius? What is your fondest memory?

I had an amazing time at St Aloysius, I really enjoyed all the school camps and the inter-school sporting tournaments. My fondest memory would definitely have to be the joy I felt when we won our first interschool soccer tournament. I remember all the hard work we had put into training and how much it would mean to the girls and especially Mr Brooks if we won, so when we took the lead in the grand final and heard the final whistle, it was just pure elation!

If you could give your high school self some words of advice, what would it be?

I would tell my high school self to have fun, stay motivated and to believe in yourself! Find a goal and work towards it because it will provide you with the drive you need to learn and be engaged during class. It’s also very important to make time for friends and family and have hobbies so that you aren’t studying all the time, so try to find an extracurricular activity that you really enjoy!

Who or what has inspired you?

My parents, my teachers, my coaches and everyone who believed in me from day one, especially the strong inspirational female role models I met along the way. I think the reason I had so much confidence growing up was because I had so much support and was always being encouraged by those around me.

What are your career aspirations/goals in the coming years?

My career aspirations & goals in the coming years would be to obtain a surgical residency position next year and hopefully become a general surgeon in the future. I would also love to become a female leader in medicine and help pave the way for women to enter surgical training without having to jump through as many hurdles as their male counterparts.