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Dr Sadia Shah, MBBS, MPH (Liverpool), GPST  | 24 September 2024

After graduating and completing my house job in Pakistan, I moved to the UK in 2012. Here, I enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of Liverpool. Upon completion of the masters, I was offered a position in mental health research at the University of Manchester. Gratefully, I accepted the role and found that I enjoyed it far more than I had anticipated. During my time as a research associate and later as a research consultant, I gained valuable experience in mental health research, particularly working on postnatal depression among South Asian mums. I led Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) groups, co-authored research papers, and developed a deeper understanding of the maternal mental health among South Asian women in the UK. For five years, I immersed myself in this field.

During COVID-19 pandemic, whilst Working from home, I revisit my clinical roots. I studied for OET and PLAB exams, and obtained my General Medical Council (GMC) registration in 2021. After two rewarding years as a junior doctor, I took the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment  (MSRA) and, started my General Practitioner (GP) training. I am now in the second year of my training and am excited about what the future holds. I would love to have a career that not only involves general practice but also incorporates maternal mental health and research. Both fields have shaped me in profound ways, and I hope to continue contributing to both as I move forward.

Looking back on my journey, I realize that having uncertainties at the start of a career is completely natural. It’s even more daunting when those uncertainties are compounded by the challenges of migration, adapting to life in a new country, visa restrictions, financial pressures, cultural differences, and the need to establish a new support network. This can all seem quite overwhelming. But I want to reassure all my IMG fellows that it is possible to overcome these challenges and build a fulfilling career in the UK.

I’ve been where you are, and I want to offer the support that I wish I had during those early, uncertain days. Remember, the journey may be challenging, but with persistence and the right support, it’s entirely possible to succeed. Don’t hesitate to reach out — drop me a message on instagram, facebook or contact us on our website — I'm here to help guide you through the process and ensure you don’t have to navigate it alone.