Jack Loveday – BSc (Hons) Podiatry graduate

“Studying at Plymouth has been invaluable in allowing me to get to where I am now in my career. Both the lecturers and the other students on the course gave, and still give, a great support base.”

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

After graduation I went straight into private practice. I was always most interested in biomechanics and musculoskeletal medicine and I felt that this would be the best way to get experience in these areas. I was lucky enough to work with some top practitioners in these fields and quickly gained experience in dealing with some top athletes and premiership footballers. I have built a practice in Bristol working alongside, mostly, physiotherapists and chiropractors. A year ago an opportunity came up to work in the military which I was very keen to take, and I have been doing this at various locations ever since.

Has your career path changed since graduation?

After graduating I knew, pretty specifically, the area that I wanted to work in – although I hadn’t really considered working in the military as an option at the time.

What is the most difficult thing which you have faced in your career?

Working with military patients can be challenging, but also hugely rewarding: in many cases their livelihood and career is on the line.

What is the best, most exciting or fun thing that you have done in your career?

I’ve always found working with athletes at any level exciting and inspiring; helping people to get back to what they love doing is a great feeling.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get in to the same line of work?

Get as much experience as you can after graduating (or before) by shadowing other practitioners and seeing how they work. I did a lot of this and found that people were generally more than happy to have people sit in on their clinics.

How did studying at Plymouth help you?

Studying at Plymouth has been invaluable in allowing me to get to where I am now in my career. Both the lecturers and the other students on the course gave, and still give, a great support base.

Did you undertake a placement during your degree and if so, how did this benefit you?

The practical experience gained on placements is one of, if not the most, important part of the degree course: it prepares you for what is to come and, as if I had any doubts in the first place, reminded me that wound care is not for me.

Would you recommend undertaking a course with the University, and why?

I can’t recommend studying podiatry at Plymouth highly enough: the staff, placements, facilities, and course itself are all very highly thought of within the profession.