What are you up to now? Kirsty Payne

From finding her feet as a mature student at Fusehill Street to working as a senior radiographer with Public Health Wales, 2018 graduate Kirsty Payne has built an incredible career in healthcare. Today, she lives in Bethesda, Wales, with her partner Dan and their rescue labrador Meg. When she’s not screening patients on mobile units in supermarket car parks, you’ll find her practicing partner acrobatics, fire spinning, or relaxing with Japanese fiction. 

What do you miss most about being a student?  

The course and the constant learning. I also loved my tutors, they were so supportive and always welcoming if you needed to drop in for a chat. 

What was your favourite place on campus?  

The practical radiography rooms where we could practice positioning and take x-rays of phantoms were brilliant. I also liked the sports building. 

How does your life now compare to what your 21 year-old self-imagined?  

I started studying radiography aged 25, having originally struggled at uni and drifted between bar work, unemployment and support work for people with learning difficulties. The course really boosted my confidence - I finally felt like I was good at something and it was an amazing feeling doing well on my placements and in my assignments. 

The working world has been tougher than I imagined, but I am slowly working my way up and aspire to be an advanced practitioner in mammography over the next few years. 

What’s the most useful thing you learnt at uni you still use today?  

To be friendly and treat people with kindness. I don't believe other people need to fail in order for you to succeed - we can all win if we help each other out! 

What’s the one song that takes you back to uni days?  

I don't have one. In all honesty, we hardly went out as a huge part of the course was placement based. We did go to some open mic nights though, as one of my course mates played guitar. 

Current job title  

Senior Radiographer 

Current employer  

Public Health Wales 

Briefly explain what you do in your job...  

Take mammograms to screen for breast cancer and also during assessment appointments and biopsy procedures. 

What does a typical day look like?  

Most of my days are spent breast screening, usually on mobile units. I spend a lot of time in supermarket car parks! A lot of the ladies I meet comment on what a strange job it is, but I really enjoy meeting people, chatting about their day, and making the procedure as comfortable and stress free as possible. We see up to about 50 ladies a day, so we're busy and the time usually flies! 

How did you get from graduation to where you are today?  

I took a rotational training post in Aberystwyth initially, which was one of the only places offering a 2-year progression to band 6 (senior radiographer). I spent time in x-ray, CT, fluoroscopy and mammography, before moving to North Wales to take up a CT radiographer job nearer my family. After a couple of years there, I met my current partner and joined Breast Test Wales. 

What are you currently reading, watching, or obsessed with?  

I read Japanese fiction, enjoy watching Last One Laughing and the Detectorists, and am generally out with my dog in my local parks. 

Give us your Cumbria top tips, fave eatery, fave shop, or fave walk...  

The Yoga Studio Carlisle is one of my favourite places in the world. It got me through uni when things got tough. The teachers are amazing. 

What's your idea of a great weekend?  

Sunny evenings out with my circus friends - practicing partner acrobatics, yoga and fire spinning. 

What are you most proud of?  

I'm a very proud dog parent. I rescued a 10 year-old lab last year and my whole world revolves around her! 

I am proud of my skill and dexterity in mammography. 

What words of wisdom would you give your student self?  

I would say well done, you're doing a great job! 

Now you’ve read about Kirsty, we want to read about YOU! Complete your ‘what are you up to now’ here.