Sungju Kim
Drawn to the fast-moving world of healthcare technology, Sungju chose Medical Imaging for its practical learning, patient interaction, and wide range of future career pathways.
For Sungju Kim, a career in healthcare was inspired by watching his grandfather continue serving his local community as a pharmacist. That long-standing commitment to helping others had a strong influence on the path Sungju chose for himself.
“Even at 90 years old, he still opens his pharmacy every day to help people in his community,” Sungju says. “Seeing that level of dedication was a huge inspiration for me.”
Now studying the Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Honours) at Waipapa Taumata Rau, Sungju says one of the standout aspects of the degree has been the amount of clinical experience students gain from early on.
Medical Imaging pushes students to get real-life practice and apply both theoretical and practical knowledge from first year. That early exposure has been incredibly valuable.
Sungju says clinical placements have become one of the most rewarding parts of his studies.
“Being part of a patient’s healthcare journey from year one has been a massive highlight,” he says. “Seeing myself improve and translating theory into practical skills makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
Sungju says working directly with patients has also reinforced the importance of communication and patient care within healthcare settings.
“Patients are often anxious or worried when they come into hospital,” he says. “I want to help reassure them and show the level of care they can expect while they’re there.”
For Sungju, one of the things that continues to stand out about Medical Imaging is how varied and fast-moving the profession can be.
“Medical imaging is constantly evolving alongside new technology,” he says. “There are so many different pathways you can specialise in, from MRI and CT through to sonography and nuclear medicine. You’re always learning, growing, and developing new skills, which means you’ll never be bored in this field.”