Good luck to the final four candidates!

In September, twenty sixth-form students began battling it out in an ‘Apprentice’ style competition, which will lead to one student winning a week of work experience in our Pathology Department at Derriford Hospital.

This week is National Pathology Week and on Wednesday, nine of the students took part in the Plymouth Pathology Roadshow, where a stand in the main concourse at Derriford Hospital was set up.

Yesterday, “Alan Sugar” style firings took place, where each of the nine candidates present at the roadshow were interviewed. The interview panel consisted of Dr Ruth Ayling, Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Joe Teape, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance, Simeon Green, Operations Manager in Derriford Combined Labs and Dr Seán Costelloe, Consultant Clinical Scientist.

Seán said: “The students all gave excellent interviews and it was extremely difficult to make our shortlist of four for the final. The finalists have had to prepare a talk entitled “What I have learnt from meeting a pathologist”, which they will present at this evenings event. At the end of the evening the winner will be announced.”

Tweeting about the event last night, Joe said that he felt extremely lucky to interview some young people for pathology apprentice competition as part of pathology week.

He added: “Meeting young people for pathology apprentice competition makes me realise what amazing potential employees on our doorstep we have.”

The final four candidates shortlisted are: Amy McQueen, Aimee Ruffle, Sarah Chard and Megan Bowman. Sarah said: “This has been an amazing experience and I am grateful to the organisers for such a fantastic opportunity.” Amy said: “It has been a great opportunity to meet new people from around the city and learn more about an interesting but unpublicised part of medicine and science. I feel very privileged to have been shortlisted and am very excited for the final tonight” We wish all of the candidates the best of luck for tonight’s final event!