Neha Gogawale is hoping to make a positive impact to people's mental health after completing a Master's in Health Data Science.
Neha, 31, decided to build on her microbiology master’s to take her closer to her goal of working in the healthcare sector.
Doing so meant returning to studies, but Neha, from India, was motivated to achieve her goal – and it didn’t take long to decide Aberdeen was the place to do it.
She says: “During my search for courses in the UK, I came across the Master’s in Health Data Science at the University of Aberdeen. The course material and modules immediately captured my interest.
“To gain more insights, I reached out to previous students who had completed the programme and learned about their current positions in healthcare data analysis, which was highly inspiring. This played a significant role in influencing my decision to enrol in the course.”
After enrolling, Neha was pleasantly surprised by the support available to her as a student and the ways in which staff will go the extra mile.
“I extensively researched the University and discovered it had been ranked 4th in the UK for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2022. The University's multidisciplinary research centres and institutes, which collaborate with experts from across the UK and beyond, also stood out to me.
“My favourite part of my degree was the exceptional teaching staff at the University. Despite joining the course two weeks late, my course coordinator Dr Dimitra Blana went above and beyond to help me understand all the processes and procedures on campus. She organised a face-to-face meeting and provided detailed explanations about the course.”
During her studies, Neha was able to take part in a work placement that has improved her understanding of her field and prepare her for life after university.
“I worked with Miricyl (Mental Illness Research in Children and Young Lives), a mental health organization where I participated in an internship program. One of the projects I was involved in is the development of a digital platform in collaboration with JPMorgan Chase & Co.
“During my internship, I was responsible for tasks such as collecting and processing health-related data and applying my skills to real-world research problems. This opportunity allowed me to contribute to a project that has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of many individuals.”
For Neha, graduation marks the start of an exciting future and, hopefully, a career where she can make a positive difference to the health service, particularly in the field of mental health.
“It feels incredibly surreal to be graduating. This last year has been a journey filled with hard work, growth, and countless memories. Graduation is a mix of emotions for me. On one hand, I'm excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and the chance to apply what I've learned.
“On the other hand, there's a sense of nostalgia and bittersweetness, saying goodbye to a chapter of life that has been so defining. It's a time of reflection on the experiences and friendships that have shaped me. Overall, I'm filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride in reaching this milestone. Graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, and I can't wait to see where the future takes me.
“One of my goals is to work in the healthcare sector, particularly within the NHS or a healthcare digital solutions company. I aim to contribute to the development and implementation of innovative digital solutions that can enhance healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and optimize healthcare processes.
“Ultimately, my goal is to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry, specifically in the realm of mental health. I want to contribute to the improvement of mental health outcomes and the overall wellbeing of individuals.”