Can you teach passion? Reflections on the SoR student leadership placement
The path to a career in radiography can be winding and uncertain, but the SoR exists to help new radiographers on their journey. Here, four graduates of the society’s student leadership placement share their experiences
Rebekah Vyce
Former diagnostic radiography student at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Band 5 X-ray radiographer at University Hospitals Dorset from September 2025
Musician and vocal coach turned Diagnostic Radiographer may seem like an odd career move, but over the past three years as a diagnostic radiography student at UWE Bristol I’ve discovered how much my music career prepared me for radiography, and I’ve thrived in the process. Fascinated by anatomy with a huge heart for people, I particularly love X-ray (the images are beautiful!) and enjoy the challenge of helping patients feel seen and safe in a fast-paced, high-turnover environment. I don’t yet have fixed ideas about my career path, but I imagine it will have a strong people focus – perhaps specialising in paediatrics or vulnerable adults, or mentoring learner radiographers. My main goal is to dive in and embrace opportunities as they come. If I’ve learned anything from conversations with qualified radiographers, including those we heard from during this placement, it’s that this career often takes you in unexpected directions.
As a mature student, my previous career and life experiences have given me strong leadership skills, but self employment meant largely leading solo – setting vision, managing projects and carrying the weight alone. One reason I changed career was to work in a team again, with shared vision and shared responsibility. During my degree I’ve taken on roles such as wellbeing officer for the SoR Learner Network and founder and host of The Student Radiographer Podcast – positions that allowed me to champion and encourage other learners, while growing my leadership within wonderful teams. The leadership placement felt like a brilliant opportunity for focused mentoring in this area. I wanted to learn from more radiography leaders, develop strategies for making my leadership more sustainable long term and practise setting boundaries that protect my work–life balance – moving further away from that self-employed mindset.
I’m delighted to say that I feel I achieved all that and more! With our mentor Professor Gill Harrison, SoR professional officer for ultrasound, I set a personal goal not to default to project management or leading from the front, but to practise supporting from the background. Initially, it felt unfamiliar, but the placement happened to coincide with a period of demanding life circumstances, meaning I had no choice but to set boundaries, practise saying no, confront my perfectionism and fears of letting others down, and find creative ways to contribute. Working alongside such a supportive team of fellow students, with invaluable mentoring throughout, I learned that I don’t have to give 100 per cent to every project to be an effective leader. My contribution can still be meaningful even when my capacity is reduced. Leadership isn’t about constant visibility or control – it’s about knowing where your energy is best placed and trusting that even smaller roles can have a big impact.
This placement was enlightening, challenging and deeply rewarding – the icing on the cake of my student radiographer journey. I’m so grateful for the experience and I would encourage any student considering the placement to go for it – you’ll be stretched and brilliantly supported, and come away with much more than you could have ever imagined.
Lucy Jackson
Final year therapeutic radiography apprentice at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and Sheffield Hallam University
I have held a number of healthcare roles during my working life but, after losing a number of people close to me to cancer, I decided that I wanted to be involved in treatment because of how much of a difference those staff made to my family in the darkest of times. I hope to secure a Band 5 post here in Coventry once I qualify, and to specialise in the future, but I’m still trying to find my niche.
I took part in the placement because I wanted to find out more about my own leadership potential. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but I knew that I wanted to become more comfortable and confident with the concept of leading as I neared the end of my course. I also have a professional leadership module as part of my final year, so this experience has been invaluable as I complete that.
Everybody’s leadership journey will look very different, and there is no point in comparing yourself to where other people are. Styles and experiences are so different. It has been fascinating to listen to the career trajectories of some of the incredible professionals who took the time to speak to us during the placement, and the opportunity to connect with them and ask them questions was a real privilege.
Another takeaway for me was how incredible we as allied health professional learners are at lifting each other up and supporting each other. As a group, we were all at different points in our courses because we had different training routes, but we linked together to achieve something amazing in a short space of time. The sense of accomplishment that we shared will live long in our memories and set us up for successful collaborations as we move forwards in our radiography careers.
If you have the chance to apply, go for it! I promise you will not regret taking the leap. You may not think leadership is your thing, or you can’t take on yet another piece of work in your final year, but I promise it is worth it. Be prepared to reflect and evaluate yourself – in relation to your leadership qualities and beyond. This placement can be very challenging, but it is even more rewarding. You will get more out of it than you can imagine and it is so much more than ‘just doing a project’.
When I started the course, I was faced with four colleagues who were extremely accomplished and appeared very confident. Cue the imposter feelings! How had I found myself here? Why had they chosen me? How was I going to add value to this project? Top that off with having to miss the first full week of the placement because of a lecture week at university, so being faced with having to fit into an existing group who had already built bonds, there were all sorts of scenarios going on in my head.
All of these feelings turned out to be so far from the mark. It was easy to come into the group because they really wanted my input and to see what I could bring to the table that was different. They were all from diagnostic radiography rather than therapeutic, and I think inherently they look at things from a slightly different angle. I felt that, together with Gill, we created a safe space where we could all express our ideas and feelings freely and without fear of judgement. We could try things that we may not feel comfortable with in our day-to-day roles, and take on responsibilities that we wouldn’t normally push ourselves to do.
For me, it was putting myself forward as project lead. On what planet would that ever happen?! I am ‘just an apprentice’, ‘only a student’, ‘what do I know?’… but I thrived and I am so glad that I did it. I genuinely enjoyed taking the lead, making sure that we got things done and stayed on topic, while making sure that everyone was happy with their tasks and that no one person was taking on too much of the burden. I delegated, I steered the meetings, I encouraged my colleagues and I made them feel heard and valued. I used the skills that I had built up over a number of years and brought them together in a productive way to ensure the smooth running of our project.
One of the other components of the placement was coaching from Gill. I cannot sing this incredible woman’s praises loud enough! She brings thoughts and feelings out of you that you weren’t even really aware of and helps you to find your own ways to address them. Imposter feelings are often a big thing for me, and she persistently asked me why. And it turns out, if I really think about it, there is no real reason… I am good enough, I do deserve to be where I am and I will go far in this career. I may have found it a bit later than some people do, but I know that this is what I am good at and I will learn to be comfortable with that. I am my own worst critic and I do think of worst-case scenarios, but now I will start to give myself more credit for my wins – the little ones and the big ones. I always advocate for others and my patients, so I need to start treating myself with that same care and spirit.
So please, if you have the opportunity, apply! You will get so much more out of it than you could possibly imagine and I really hope that you love it as much as I did.
Cian Horman
Final year diagnostic radiography student at Queen Margaret University
An email notification popped up: ‘SoR leadership placement programme’, with a PDF descriptor of what the placement was and how to apply. June… am I free then? Would this be good? Am I someone who could become a leader? The simple answer to all of these is: ‘Yes, but only if you give it a try.’
As a final year student entering year four of the diagnostic radiography course at Queen Margaret University as a mature student, it has been an incredible fresh challenge, on occasion a little gruelling and everything in between. Occasionally, I wondered if I could transfer my skills from my previous industry to elevate patient care or, dare I say, be seen as a potential leader in the healthcare industry. If I had just ignored the email, I would not have known what was possible. So I applied.
Initially, I was not successful, as it is only offered to six learners across the UK (this includes university and apprenticeship candidates); however, the feedback I got was really positive, so I felt glad I had at least tried. The process of recording a ‘pitch’ to become a candidate was a unique challenge and a great learning experience in itself.
One week before the programme was due to start, one of the candidates had to drop out, which gave me a last-minute chance to participate. Timing and availability happened to allow this, so I took the opportunity, and all the small choices that brought me to the online induction felt a little surreal.
The range of guest speakers we listened to came from all areas of radiography and talked about their specialities and passion, which was the most impressive part of the discussions. The openness and guidance each speaker offered helped the group to understand how the role of leaders is unique to each person’s skills, personality and style. With the right mindset and willingness to move forward, everyone has the agency to lead. This applies to students as well, as it could be as simple as advocating for positive practice or becoming involved in discussions or MDT meetings as part of the learning process.
Moving forward in my final year of studies and beyond, I know that the mentoring I received, and the support and connections I made, will give me the confidence to ensure that I add value in a diverse way to any environment I find myself in. Perhaps it will be checking in with a colleague to make sure they feel supported, or being part of a working group that looks at human factors in a department that needs review.
The quiet action, or the voice that helps drive ideas to the forefront, reflects leadership, and I would encourage anyone to consider that they might be the right person.
Tara Khodabandehie
Former diagnostic radiography student at the University of Suffolk, now Band 5 rotational radiographer at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford
I have just completed my final year studying diagnostic radiography at the University of Suffolk. After receiving my HCPC registration, I will begin my career as a Band 5 rotational radiographer at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford; this is where I also completed my clinical placements over the past three years. During my placements I have learnt that I am particularly drawn to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of CT radiography, and I hope to specialise in this area as I develop professionally.
I started my radiography journey at age 18, relocating from my home town of Sheffield to Ipswich to start my degree. With no experience in healthcare and only a background as a gymnastics coach, I began my degree with little idea of what to expect. I quickly fell in love with the career and the various modalities it had to offer. My favourite part was how different the day-to-day roles of a radiographer was; from working in a busy accident and emergency department to complex theatre cases, I put my all into getting involved with every task.
I took part in the leadership placement to build confidence in sharing my ideas within a group, even when I may not be the most experienced. I hoped it would support my transition into my new role as a radiographer, helping me feel more capable in team settings.
My biggest takeaway from the placement was learning how to identify and set/communicate my personal boundaries with others, and understanding my own limitations both personally and professionally.
To anyone considering taking part in the programme I would say the most important thing to do when applying is to show you’re passionate. Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know because you are here to learn – you can be taught skills you don’t have but you can’t be taught passion.
Joanne Gill
Third-year apprentice working at The Royal Derby Hospital, studying with Sheffield Hallam University
Two and a half years ago I made the decision to embark on a new journey into radiotherapy after working in diagnostics. As a mature student, this change felt quite daunting, but at the same time I knew it was the right decision. So let me introduce myself, I am Joanne Gill, a third-year apprentice working at The Royal Derby Hospital, studying with Sheffield Hallam University and loving every minute of it (well almost every minute!).
As an apprentice I have been given access to a wide variety of experiences which have allowed me to develop my skills and deepen my understanding of the broader picture associated with radiotherapy and patient care, something I am very passionate about.
During my apprenticeship, I have also been given the opportunity to informally mentor other apprentices, beginning my leadership journey within the department, which will hopefully become more formal once I am qualified.
Throughout my apprenticeship, I have tried to be involved in as many opportunities as possible, expanding my knowledge and developing my confidence, even if that means pushing myself out of my comfort zone. When the chance to apply for the leadership placement came about, I didn’t hesitate, knowing how this would benefit my career, my department, my patients, and help me to continue my own personal development journey.
I was a little unsure about what to expect and worried that I might find the challenge too much, especially as I am very quiet in situations that are unfamiliar to me, but I needn’t have worried, the experience proved to be incredibly positive.
There were so many takeaway moments from this placement, I have been really surprised by how much I have learnt. The talks from a variety of guests were so informative, hearing other people’s careers and leadership journeys and how they got to where they are now made me realise that just because I am coming into radiotherapy late, I still have a rich and rewarding career ahead of me.
I also learnt a lot about myself, I realised that I don’t have to be worried about being quiet in unfamiliar situations or apologise for it, instead it provides me with an opportunity to listen to what is being said, to gain a better understanding of the situation and not rush in, meaning that my contributions can often be well thought out and measured. I also learnt that imposter syndrome isn’t something that I should be afraid of, this is something that has plagued me since I started, even writing about it in my very first assignment! Instead, I am learning to refocus my doubts and build on the positives, I appreciate this will take time, but know that as my experience grows this will become my new normal.
Ultimately, I now recognise that I can be a good leader and that I can embed my leadership skills into my work ethic.
I think for anyone considering applying for the placement should go for it, it really has been such a rewarding experience and helped me grow as a person, it has allowed me to look at things from a new perspective and change my focus. I have worked with such a great group of people, who have supported me throughout the placement. It has been a journey of ups and downs for all of us, but we have been there for each other at every stage, we are all amazing leaders!
Rebekah Vyce
Former diagnostic radiography student at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Band 5 X-ray radiographer at University Hospitals Dorset from September 2025
Musician and vocal coach turned Diagnostic Radiographer may seem like an odd career move, but over the past three years as a diagnostic radiography student at UWE Bristol I’ve discovered how much my music career prepared me for radiography, and I’ve thrived in the process. Fascinated by anatomy with a huge heart for people, I particularly love X-ray (the images are beautiful!) and enjoy the challenge of helping patients feel seen and safe in a fast-paced, high-turnover environment. I don’t yet have fixed ideas about my career path, but I imagine it will have a strong people focus – perhaps specialising in paediatrics or vulnerable adults, or mentoring learner radiographers. My main goal is to dive in and embrace opportunities as they come. If I’ve learned anything from conversations with qualified radiographers, including those we heard from during this placement, it’s that this career often takes you in unexpected directions.
As a mature student, my previous career and life experiences have given me strong leadership skills, but self employment meant largely leading solo – setting vision, managing projects and carrying the weight alone. One reason I changed career was to work in a team again, with shared vision and shared responsibility. During my degree I’ve taken on roles such as wellbeing officer for the SoR Learner Network and founder and host of The Student Radiographer Podcast – positions that allowed me to champion and encourage other learners, while growing my leadership within wonderful teams. The leadership placement felt like a brilliant opportunity for focused mentoring in this area. I wanted to learn from more radiography leaders, develop strategies for making my leadership more sustainable long term and practise setting boundaries that protect my work–life balance – moving further away from that self-employed mindset.
I’m delighted to say that I feel I achieved all that and more! With our mentor Professor Gill Harrison, SoR professional officer for ultrasound, I set a personal goal not to default to project management or leading from the front, but to practise supporting from the background. Initially, it felt unfamiliar, but the placement happened to coincide with a period of demanding life circumstances, meaning I had no choice but to set boundaries, practise saying no, confront my perfectionism and fears of letting others down, and find creative ways to contribute. Working alongside such a supportive team of fellow students, with invaluable mentoring throughout, I learned that I don’t have to give 100 per cent to every project to be an effective leader. My contribution can still be meaningful even when my capacity is reduced. Leadership isn’t about constant visibility or control – it’s about knowing where your energy is best placed and trusting that even smaller roles can have a big impact.
This placement was enlightening, challenging and deeply rewarding – the icing on the cake of my student radiographer journey. I’m so grateful for the experience and I would encourage any student considering the placement to go for it – you’ll be stretched and brilliantly supported, and come away with much more than you could have ever imagined.
Lucy Jackson
Final year therapeutic radiography apprentice at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and Sheffield Hallam University
I have held a number of healthcare roles during my working life but, after losing a number of people close to me to cancer, I decided that I wanted to be involved in treatment because of how much of a difference those staff made to my family in the darkest of times. I hope to secure a Band 5 post here in Coventry once I qualify, and to specialise in the future, but I’m still trying to find my niche.
I took part in the placement because I wanted to find out more about my own leadership potential. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but I knew that I wanted to become more comfortable and confident with the concept of leading as I neared the end of my course. I also have a professional leadership module as part of my final year, so this experience has been invaluable as I complete that.
Everybody’s leadership journey will look very different, and there is no point in comparing yourself to where other people are. Styles and experiences are so different. It has been fascinating to listen to the career trajectories of some of the incredible professionals who took the time to speak to us during the placement, and the opportunity to connect with them and ask them questions was a real privilege.
Another takeaway for me was how incredible we as allied health professional learners are at lifting each other up and supporting each other. As a group, we were all at different points in our courses because we had different training routes, but we linked together to achieve something amazing in a short space of time. The sense of accomplishment that we shared will live long in our memories and set us up for successful collaborations as we move forwards in our radiography careers.
If you have the chance to apply, go for it! I promise you will not regret taking the leap. You may not think leadership is your thing, or you can’t take on yet another piece of work in your final year, but I promise it is worth it. Be prepared to reflect and evaluate yourself – in relation to your leadership qualities and beyond. This placement can be very challenging, but it is even more rewarding. You will get more out of it than you can imagine and it is so much more than ‘just doing a project’.
When I started the course, I was faced with four colleagues who were extremely accomplished and appeared very confident. Cue the imposter feelings! How had I found myself here? Why had they chosen me? How was I going to add value to this project? Top that off with having to miss the first full week of the placement because of a lecture week at university, so being faced with having to fit into an existing group who had already built bonds, there were all sorts of scenarios going on in my head.
All of these feelings turned out to be so far from the mark. It was easy to come into the group because they really wanted my input and to see what I could bring to the table that was different. They were all from diagnostic radiography rather than therapeutic, and I think inherently they look at things from a slightly different angle. I felt that, together with Gill, we created a safe space where we could all express our ideas and feelings freely and without fear of judgement. We could try things that we may not feel comfortable with in our day-to-day roles, and take on responsibilities that we wouldn’t normally push ourselves to do.
For me, it was putting myself forward as project lead. On what planet would that ever happen?! I am ‘just an apprentice’, ‘only a student’, ‘what do I know?’… but I thrived and I am so glad that I did it. I genuinely enjoyed taking the lead, making sure that we got things done and stayed on topic, while making sure that everyone was happy with their tasks and that no one person was taking on too much of the burden. I delegated, I steered the meetings, I encouraged my colleagues and I made them feel heard and valued. I used the skills that I had built up over a number of years and brought them together in a productive way to ensure the smooth running of our project.
One of the other components of the placement was coaching from Gill. I cannot sing this incredible woman’s praises loud enough! She brings thoughts and feelings out of you that you weren’t even really aware of and helps you to find your own ways to address them. Imposter feelings are often a big thing for me, and she persistently asked me why. And it turns out, if I really think about it, there is no real reason… I am good enough, I do deserve to be where I am and I will go far in this career. I may have found it a bit later than some people do, but I know that this is what I am good at and I will learn to be comfortable with that. I am my own worst critic and I do think of worst-case scenarios, but now I will start to give myself more credit for my wins – the little ones and the big ones. I always advocate for others and my patients, so I need to start treating myself with that same care and spirit.
So please, if you have the opportunity, apply! You will get so much more out of it than you could possibly imagine and I really hope that you love it as much as I did.
Cian Horman
Final year diagnostic radiography student at Queen Margaret University
An email notification popped up: ‘SoR leadership placement programme’, with a PDF descriptor of what the placement was and how to apply. June… am I free then? Would this be good? Am I someone who could become a leader? The simple answer to all of these is: ‘Yes, but only if you give it a try.’
As a final year student entering year four of the diagnostic radiography course at Queen Margaret University as a mature student, it has been an incredible fresh challenge, on occasion a little gruelling and everything in between. Occasionally, I wondered if I could transfer my skills from my previous industry to elevate patient care or, dare I say, be seen as a potential leader in the healthcare industry. If I had just ignored the email, I would not have known what was possible. So I applied.
Initially, I was not successful, as it is only offered to six learners across the UK (this includes university and apprenticeship candidates); however, the feedback I got was really positive, so I felt glad I had at least tried. The process of recording a ‘pitch’ to become a candidate was a unique challenge and a great learning experience in itself.
One week before the programme was due to start, one of the candidates had to drop out, which gave me a last-minute chance to participate. Timing and availability happened to allow this, so I took the opportunity, and all the small choices that brought me to the online induction felt a little surreal.
The range of guest speakers we listened to came from all areas of radiography and talked about their specialities and passion, which was the most impressive part of the discussions. The openness and guidance each speaker offered helped the group to understand how the role of leaders is unique to each person’s skills, personality and style. With the right mindset and willingness to move forward, everyone has the agency to lead. This applies to students as well, as it could be as simple as advocating for positive practice or becoming involved in discussions or MDT meetings as part of the learning process.
Moving forward in my final year of studies and beyond, I know that the mentoring I received, and the support and connections I made, will give me the confidence to ensure that I add value in a diverse way to any environment I find myself in. Perhaps it will be checking in with a colleague to make sure they feel supported, or being part of a working group that looks at human factors in a department that needs review.
The quiet action, or the voice that helps drive ideas to the forefront, reflects leadership, and I would encourage anyone to consider that they might be the right person.
Tara Khodabandehie
Former diagnostic radiography student at the University of Suffolk, now Band 5 rotational radiographer at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford
I have just completed my final year studying diagnostic radiography at the University of Suffolk. After receiving my HCPC registration, I will begin my career as a Band 5 rotational radiographer at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford; this is where I also completed my clinical placements over the past three years. During my placements I have learnt that I am particularly drawn to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of CT radiography, and I hope to specialise in this area as I develop professionally.
I started my radiography journey at age 18, relocating from my home town of Sheffield to Ipswich to start my degree. With no experience in healthcare and only a background as a gymnastics coach, I began my degree with little idea of what to expect. I quickly fell in love with the career and the various modalities it had to offer. My favourite part was how different the day-to-day roles of a radiographer was; from working in a busy accident and emergency department to complex theatre cases, I put my all into getting involved with every task.
I took part in the leadership placement to build confidence in sharing my ideas within a group, even when I may not be the most experienced. I hoped it would support my transition into my new role as a radiographer, helping me feel more capable in team settings.
My biggest takeaway from the placement was learning how to identify and set/communicate my personal boundaries with others, and understanding my own limitations both personally and professionally.
To anyone considering taking part in the programme I would say the most important thing to do when applying is to show you’re passionate. Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know because you are here to learn – you can be taught skills you don’t have but you can’t be taught passion.
Joanne Gill
Third-year apprentice working at The Royal Derby Hospital, studying with Sheffield Hallam University
Two and a half years ago I made the decision to embark on a new journey into radiotherapy after working in diagnostics. As a mature student, this change felt quite daunting, but at the same time I knew it was the right decision. So let me introduce myself, I am Joanne Gill, a third-year apprentice working at The Royal Derby Hospital, studying with Sheffield Hallam University and loving every minute of it (well almost every minute!).
As an apprentice I have been given access to a wide variety of experiences which have allowed me to develop my skills and deepen my understanding of the broader picture associated with radiotherapy and patient care, something I am very passionate about.
During my apprenticeship, I have also been given the opportunity to informally mentor other apprentices, beginning my leadership journey within the department, which will hopefully become more formal once I am qualified.
Throughout my apprenticeship, I have tried to be involved in as many opportunities as possible, expanding my knowledge and developing my confidence, even if that means pushing myself out of my comfort zone. When the chance to apply for the leadership placement came about, I didn’t hesitate, knowing how this would benefit my career, my department, my patients, and help me to continue my own personal development journey.
I was a little unsure about what to expect and worried that I might find the challenge too much, especially as I am very quiet in situations that are unfamiliar to me, but I needn’t have worried, the experience proved to be incredibly positive.
There were so many takeaway moments from this placement, I have been really surprised by how much I have learnt. The talks from a variety of guests were so informative, hearing other people’s careers and leadership journeys and how they got to where they are now made me realise that just because I am coming into radiotherapy late, I still have a rich and rewarding career ahead of me.
I also learnt a lot about myself, I realised that I don’t have to be worried about being quiet in unfamiliar situations or apologise for it, instead it provides me with an opportunity to listen to what is being said, to gain a better understanding of the situation and not rush in, meaning that my contributions can often be well thought out and measured. I also learnt that imposter syndrome isn’t something that I should be afraid of, this is something that has plagued me since I started, even writing about it in my very first assignment! Instead, I am learning to refocus my doubts and build on the positives, I appreciate this will take time, but know that as my experience grows this will become my new normal.
Ultimately, I now recognise that I can be a good leader and that I can embed my leadership skills into my work ethic.
I think for anyone considering applying for the placement should go for it, it really has been such a rewarding experience and helped me grow as a person, it has allowed me to look at things from a new perspective and change my focus. I have worked with such a great group of people, who have supported me throughout the placement. It has been a journey of ups and downs for all of us, but we have been there for each other at every stage, we are all amazing leaders!
More about the SoR’s leadership placement
If you have any questions about the SoR Student Leadership Programme, contact pande@sor.org
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