STP Embryology 2

It’s hard to believe that I’m now in my final year of the STP. It’s been a whirlwind full of amazing learning experiences, personal growth, and inevitable ups and downs. I am now looking ahead to the future with optimism, but also with some worry about what life will look like this time next year.

In my time at St. Mary’s in Manchester I have received extremely high quality training, with every member of the Embryology team contributing significantly to my learning. I have formed strong working relationships and feel supported not only within the laboratory, but also outside of work. After moving my whole life to Manchester to start the STP, knowing absolutely nobody in the city, I now feel so lucky and grateful for the position I am in. I have loved all of the practical training I have undertaken and it is amazing to be able to contribute to the running of the Embryology service, speak to patients, and learn from all of my colleagues. I am looking forward to consolidating my knowledge and learning more advanced techniques like ICSI and oocyte vitrification during the rest of my final year.

My training has been amazing overall, but it has not been without imposter syndrome, doubts and worries. Working in such a high-stakes environment, where every action has the potential to impact a patient, has caused anxiety at times and led me to question my abilities. I would not have been able to navigate this without my extremely encouraging colleagues. I feel I have now come through the other side of many of these doubts. While moments of worry still arise, I now have a greater appreciation of my skills and a clearer perspective on my role within the laboratory. With experience has come confidence, allowing me to approach tasks with assurance rather than anxiety. Being able to support newer trainees through similar challenges has been particularly rewarding, and has reinforced my own growth, resilience, and confidence as a developing embryologist.

Like many other trainees, I have concerns about employment once the STP finishes, which has been one of my main worries. This uncertainty is challenging and there are many things I cannot control at the moment. However, there are lots of things that I can which is what I need to focus on for the rest of the year. I feel well-equipped with the skills and experience I have gained during the STP, and I now need to focus on finishing my portfolio to a high standard, completing my research project, and consolidating my practical knowledge. Recognising the quality of my training has helped me feel more confident and proactive as I move forward.