Kiera Collier (Class of 2016) was one of the guest speakers who spoke to our Year 10 students on Tuesday, about their experiences in choosing between the ATAR and ACCESS pathways.

During her time at Santa Maria, Kiera had excellent grades and the potential to go into medicine, but doubted whether she was capable of completing such an intense university degree, with years of difficult study. In Year 10, Kiera was unsure of which pathway to take and spoke to Mr Keskinidis, Santa Maria’s Career Development Co-ordinator for some trusted advice. Mr Keskinidis encouraged and motivated Kiera to go down the ATAR pathway and pursue medicine, reassuring her she could succeed with hard work and determination.

Kiera took that advice and is currently studying a Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of Western Australia. Kiera has completed a lot in her time since leaving the College, which included undertaking a medical internship in a foreign country. Kiera’s passion is to become a doctor specialising in paediatrics or obstetrics to help women wherever she decides to work in the world.

Kiera told the Year 10s how studying Chemistry and Human Biology has helped her with some of the units she is currently undertaking at UWA. While everyone is suited to a different path, Keira’s advice to current Santa Maria girls is to follow your passion and don’t be discouraged by a challenge!

Keira left the students with one of her favourite quotes:

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr Seuss