Welcome
Time to embark on an amazing journey
A warm welcome and congratulations. After all your hard work, you are now a fully qualified radiographer.
I hope you find it as rewarding as I have. It has been quite a while since I qualified, but I can still say I love what I do. The career of radiography is an amazing one; a lot has changed since I qualified, and you are coming into radiography at an exciting time. Radiography is an area that is constantly evolving and changing, and you will no doubt see a lot of change during your own careers.
This edition of Starting Out, the SoR’s official publication for new professionals, has all the information to help you at the beginning of your journey into radiography as a new professional.
Being involved in the Society of Radiographers gave me access to conferences, workshops, study days and webinars and had helped me keep up to date with changes both in registration and legislation, best practise and new technologies it has also given me constant content for my CPD file, and also gave me the opportunity to be president.
I became an industrial relations representative to help support my fellow colleagues, and that led me to be involved in my regional committee and organise regional study days. I attended the annual delegates conference, and at one of these, I decided to run to be part of the delegates conference committee, which is the group that organises the conference. The experience of helping to organise a conference was one I would recommend if you ever get the opportunity.
During covid I applied to be the UK council representative for the southwest region. My time on council gave me the confidence to go for the position of vice president. The society gave me opportunities to achieve things I never would have thought I could do.
As an SoR member, you can be part of special interest and advisory groups, become an industrial, health and safety or learning representative, join UK Council as an observer or board member and even become president.
As a membership organisation, we aim to support you throughout the whole of your career.
I hope you find the new starter guide useful, and good luck as you begin your career and take all the opportunities that make radiography an interesting, challenging and fulfilling career.
Best wishes,
President of the Society and College of Radiographers
What's inside?
New Professionals Network re-launch
The SoR's New Professionals Network is relaunching this year, as a space for those in the transitional period of work to find a community, support, and resources
My first year in radiography
Starting your first job after qualification can seem like a daunting notion – Will Phillips asks three newly qualified radiographers to share their experiences
How to find your niche in radiography
Marese O’Hagan speaks to three radiographers who discovered they were suited to lesser-known areas of the profession
Boost your employability
Educators Jo McNamara and Kerry Mills share their tips for how you can impress employers to land your dream job in radiography
Three top tips to getting ahead in your radiography career
Radiography workforce specialist Fodi Kyriako shares employment tips for new professionals from his 25 years in the sector
Wellbeing and safe working
What are your rights when it’s time say ‘no’ to your employer in order to stay safe and protect your wellbeing? SoR expert Rhys Martin explains
Becoming a workplace rep
How you can benefit from taking up a workplace representative role – choose from health and safety, union learning and industrial relations
The drivers of change: SoR Student Conference 2025
Before the start of this year’s Annual Delegates Conference, students were offered the chance to hear from the SoR on the topics that really matter to them at the Annual Student Conference
Why CPD is important to your career
How to keep up to date on retaining your registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, and using CPD Now to log your learning
Unacceptable behaviour at work
How to recognise and challenge bullying and harassment wherever they occur to ensure all radiographers and students feel safe in the workplace
Understanding your payslip
SoR officer Richard Pembridge demystifies the jargon on your payslip and answers some common questions from radiographers
A guide to pensions
Retirement might seem a long way off but the sooner you sign up to a pension scheme, the more you will benefit later in life – whether you work in the NHS or private sector
We're here for you! Meet the SoR team
Here we introduce your student and new professionals officer and provide a full list of SoR contacts to offer all the support you need
Join our New Professionals Network
Are you a final year student, or a Band 5 radiographer? Would you like to be part of a network where you can access news, events, CPD content and peer support from fellow radiographers across the UK? Perhaps you are interested in taking part in important SoR projects and campaigns? Or are you embarking on your own leadership journey?
Whatever stage or level of your new professional journey you are on, our New Professionals Network is here to support you. We aim to equip you with the skills and confidence to have the best possible start in your career. Key topics include advice and guidance on practical finances, leadership, employability, preceptorship, appraisals, role progression, safe-working and wellbeing.
You will also have the opportunity to discuss professional scenarios with the wider group, within a safe and reflective space.
If you have any questions, or require further information, please click below to visit our New Professionals hub, or contact our students and new professionals officer, Nichola Jamison, at nicholaj@sor.org.
Starting Out 2025/26
THE SOCIETY OF RADIOGRAPHERS
The Society of Radiographers
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Tel: (020) 7740 7200
Email: info@sor.org
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