Kate Gerrard - MBChB Medicine and MSc Enterprise & Entrepreneurship
Medical student Kate Gerrard chose an MSc Enterprise and Entrepreneurship so she could explore a different field of study to add variety to her studies. Yet she soon discovered hugely transferable skills between medicine and enterprise, which she’s confident can hugely influence the work of the NHS.
Expanding opportunities with intercalated study
The flexible and varied degree programmes available at the University of Leeds influenced Kate’s decision to apply to study here. “When I joined medical school, I already knew I wanted to have the opportunity to complement my degree with some time studying in a separate field,” explains Kate. “Medicine is intense, so it felt important to have a break, reassess, and then return to medicine after broadening my horizons.”
“Intercalation in the MBChB Medicine degree is a fantastic opportunity at the University of Leeds. There were many ways I could choose to spend my third year, yet selecting an MSc Enterprise and Entrepreneurship was an easy decision. Medicine can suppress creativity. So, I wanted to have chance to express myself, learn some new skills – including business and financial knowledge – and network. Plus, I love it in Leeds and wanted to stay studying in a familiar place.”
Gaining Spark scholarship and developing a business plan
Kate applied for a Spark scholarship based on recommendation from friends who’d taken part in previous years. “They spoke so highly of the Spark programme and explained the process clearly, so I decided to apply. Their guidance put me in the right mindset so when it came to pitching my ideas Dragons’ Den-style, I loved it!”
“I was awarded a SPARK scholarship, giving me the chance to attend workshops and meet with business owners,” she explains. “Through this, I developed my business idea: to create an AI app for people living with chronic pain. I looked at this from my own lived experience, and saw how AI has the potential to help people and meet their needs outside the overstretched NHS. The idea’s in its early stages, but I’m keen to assess my options to develop it further.”
Broadening horizons beyond medicine
“I’ve had so many incredible opportunities through enterprise and entrepreneurship that I’d never have experienced through medicine alone,” Kate says. “Spark stands out for me for its networking opportunities, but I’ve also hugely benefited from interactions with the enterprise ambassadors.”
“I met many of the ambassadors at the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies panel talks and events. They’re all so approachable and helpful. Jonathan Straight has given me some great advice about personal branding, and Becky Dam had been a great inspiration as a business founder. I’ve also attended awards ceremonies and even attended an Enterprise themed alumni event at the House of Lords.”
Transferring skills between enterprise and medicine
Though Kate initially chose enterprise so she could study something “completely different” from medicine, she soon found her time in CEES hugely complemented her medical degree. “I actually think enterprise and entrepreneurship belong on the medicine curriculum,” Kate says. “Entrepreneurial studies are all about problem solving and thinking innovatively. Naturally, it’s in a different – more creative – field. Yet I’ve taken so many learnings back to the medical world. For example, we can use entrepreneurial insight to look at the way the NHS is currently run, why we’re not happy with, and how we can improve it.”
Kate has two years left of her MBChB Medicine degree, after which she hopes to develop her app further. “I want to be a GP with specialist interest in chronic pain. But I’d like to apply for foundation year doctor roles with enterprise built in, such as four days’ clinical practice and another day dedicated to enterprise and innovation,” says Kate. “I wouldn’t have had a strong enough application without my time with enterprise and entrepreneurship masters.”
