James Penfold, Surgeon

James' story

My parents were always supportive of any career that I wanted to pursue.

My interest in science was cultured early on with close family members who fell ill. I really wanted to be someone who could make a difference.

I felt a passion to understand what was going on and do something about it.

I found that the support of my teachers in high school and having science teachers who made the topics interesting helped.

The environment I grew up in was a large factor in me making the decision to study STEM.

I don’t think that the level of interest in the STEM fields is low among the Pacific community. However, I think there's a systemic issue where people in the Pacific community have a mind-set that limits their potential.

STEM careers are sometimes portrayed as difficult and not interesting. I think studying a pathway in STEM provides more options.

I decided to study medicine at age 16 and I'm currently in my third year of medicine at the University of Auckland. I'll take the medical honours programme, which involves a year of focused research with Auckland Hospital's surgical department.

None of this would have been possible without the support networks I have at home and at university. Particularly the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS).

James' pathway

Year 12 and 13 subjects

• maths 
• Arabic
• biology
• chemistry
• economics
• theory of knowledge
• English.

Tertiary study

• Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery and Bachelor of Medical Science (Hons)