Monash University > News and Events > Monash Memo

60 seconds with … Jess Elliott

25 March 2009

Name: Jess Elliott
Course: Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery
Year Level: First
Mode: On Campus

What is it about your course and the University that helped you choose Monash?

I believe Monash is the best university. I also received a scholarship that definitely helped with the decision. My brother Matt is doing second year medicine at the University of Melbourne. His course is a year longer than the Monash course, so we'll graduate in the same year, not that we're competitive or anything.

What is your favourite subject and why?

Maths, my high school teacher was always so enthusiastic about it, and had issues with the terminology of "imaginary" numbers that often resulted in shouting. Chemistry runs a close second.

What challenges are ahead for you this year?

Moving from a rural setting in Wangaratta (actually Boorhaman, but does anyone know where that is?) to Mannix College, and adjusting to the new style of learning. Also affording ridiculously expensive medicine textbooks and 8am lectures.

What will be your ideal career (and what will it involve) when you graduate?

I haven't decided what I'll specialise in yet, but I think being a rural GP would be awesome. Or a flying doctor. I'd actually love to get a pilot's licence and do the flying myself, but that would probably result in some seriously compromised emergency care. I am terrible at multi-tasking.

What is it about your course that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?

I love communicating with people, solving problems and figuring out how things work – especially when they're a part of the human body – which is pretty much medicine in a nutshell. Also it leads to a career where I can travel, which I feel like I can never do enough of.

What is your favourite destination and why?

I really like Western Australia. It has amazing beaches and even though I get sunburnt from just thinking about daylight, I'd love to spend hours on the beach fishing and kayaking. I'd also like to go back to Darwin in the wet season - the storms are meant to be fantastic.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Try everything once.

What is something about yourself that most of your fellow students wouldn't know?

My parents made me take a junior fire safety officer course when I was four because I used to pour flammables into puddles and set them on fire.

Archive of 60 seconds with...