Amelia B's story

Amelia Britten, 17, from Crickhowell, has always known she wanted to be a doctor.

A lifelong ambition

Thanks to the support of her school and Careers Wales adviser, she’s one step closer to making her dream a reality.

Amelia said: “For as long as I can remember, I’ve said I want to be a doctor. It’s never changed, and I’ve always had in my mind that I would make it happen.”

Support that made the difference

Thanks to the support of her Careers Wales adviser, Vicky, Amelia discovered the different routes she could take to help achieve her dream.

She said: “I thought you had to get straight A*s and complete a medicine degree to become a doctor, but I learnt there were so many other pathways including studying a biological science.”

That advice meant Amelia had more than one way to reach her goal, helping to reduce her anxiety and make her dream feel more achievable. She added: “I had a strong idea of the path I wanted to take, and Vicky helped me see that even if I wasn't successful in applying for a medical degree first time, there were other ways to get there.”

While studying for her AS-level, Amelia’s ADHD and autism made revision and exams particularly difficult. She said: “I knew how important it was to revise but my ADHD paralysis made it feel impossible to start.”

Her first exam was especially tough after her calculator broke during a challenging paper, leading to her having a meltdown - an intense response to an overwhelming situation.

She added: “Neurodivergent people face different challenges, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. My first exam was horrific but I am so proud of myself that I stayed calm and got through the rest of my exams and proved to myself that I can do it. It’s important for other neurodivergent people to remember you’re not alone and there are lots of people going through the same challenges as you.”

Looking ahead to a brighter future

Amelia is currently studying biology, chemistry, and psychology at Crickhowell High School, and is awaiting her AS-level results. She would like to achieve strong A-level grades to help secure an interview for a medicine degree at Cardiff University.

She concluded: “Careers Wales have given me the practical support to put a plan in place that will help me achieve my dream of becoming a doctor. But more importantly, they’ve given me the confidence and reassurance that if it doesn’t happen first time round then there are other paths I can take to help me get to the same goal.”

Explore