Crankstart Internship Experience: Samini Subramaniam
Samini Subramaniam, a medical student from Christ Church College, took part in the Crankstart Internship Programme over the summer, working at the Aswan Heart Centre in Egypt with the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation. Here is what she took from her experience:
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend a month observing at the Aswan Heart Centre in Egypt with the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation. As a preclinical medical student going into my third year of medicine, the course so far has been very academic and research focused so I was incredibly grateful to get a taste of clinical medicine through this internship. This experience has not only affirmed my career aspirations and reminded me of what I hope to achieve after graduation but it has also allowed me to apply my current medical knowledge to real patients and better understand how the research and science we are taught make a direct impact on patients’ lives. The hospital staff were incredibly inspirational and it was wonderful to see the high standard of care delivered to patients free-of-charge from a charity hospital.
On a day-to-day basis, I shadowed doctors on ward rounds, reviewed patient cases in detail with the multi-disciplinary team, observed catheterisations and scrubbed in to watch an open-heart surgery (a cone procedure for Ebstein’s anomaly!). Along with this clinical experience, I had the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research with the pediatric ICU doctors to develop my data analysis skills – an essential tool for research. Whilst this experience has been insightful for my academic journey, it has also been a truly enriching cultural experience, allowing me to learn about Egyptian history and enjoy a few relaxing boat rides on the Nile. Without the support from Crankstart, I would not have been able to travel or develop my skillset to feel more equipped for the rest of my degree.
The Crankstart Team made the whole process very smooth from start to finish. Applying for funding was straightforward and any queries I had were answered quickly so I was able to receive funding swiftly. For any other Crankstart Scholar considering how to apply to an internship, I would highly recommend checking out the CareerConnect website regularly and skimming through the weekly emails because you are bound to find an experience that appeals to you. Don’t worry too much about the logistics of everything, just apply! You can receive the necessary support (whether that be application support or financial support) from the Careers and Crankstart team to ensure that you are able to undergo a fulfilling and enriching internship experience.
Samini Subramaniam, Medicine, Christ Church College
Internship Office Photo and Video Competition
Samini also created a video showcasing her internship experience, which won the video category of our 2024 competition. If you're planning an internship during the 2024-25 academic year, be sure to watch for our 2025 Photo and Video Competition, launching soon. In the meantime, check out the amazing 2024 winning entries by Samini Subramaniam and James Wakefield.
Internship Opportunities
Here at the Careers Service, we offer a range of internship opportunities throughout the year. Applications will open in Hilary term for the Micro-Internship Spring Programme, the Summer Internship Programme, and the Crankstart Internship Programme, with placements advertised via CareerConnect.
