Curtin graduate My Tien Dang at her graduation.
When I was in Year 10, I remember visiting a radiology department and being in awe at the union of healthcare and technology. Seeing how a piece of robotic machinery could help treat medical disease amazed me – the future possibilities were endless.
After speaking with staff and patients about how the technology had helped them, from assisting with treating cancer to motorbike accident injuries, I knew I wanted to make a difference in this space.
But the journey to pursuing my dream career hasn’t been easy.
Growing up, I thought there was only one way to get into university and that was good grades. It stressed me out so much, my whole nervous system shut down before my Year 12 exams, which led to me becoming quite unwell and failing most of them.
Up until that point, I was on track to receive an ATAR of 95.00 and my excitement was building at the thought that I would soon be able to pursue my dream degree at Curtin. So, it was devastating to hear that I didn’t make the cut.
Fear exists to remind you about what matters
Receiving that rejection letter from Curtin was one of the lowest points in my life because I had worked so hard.
I was scared to tell people, especially my parents. But I was only scared because I wanted to get in – desperately. This fear soon became my motivation though, as I realised that my worries about the future weren’t a weakness, but rather a sign to pursue this wholeheartedly.
Eliminate the question “What If?”
It was not productive nor healthy for me to keep asking myself, “What if you just didn’t socialise as much? What if you didn’t take on the extra commitment of being school captain? What if you hadn’t worked that casual job so much at IGA? You would have had time to study.”
If I wanted to make this dream a reality, I needed to reframe my thinking and focus on the future possibilities, like “What if I try another avenue to get in? What if I demonstrate my tenacity and determination? What is the worst that can come from having the conversation?”
My only obstacle was that I lived in a country town 500 kilometres from Curtin.
Do it, make something happen
I wouldn’t let the distance stop me, I had to try and make something happen. I typed a letter addressed to Curtin’s Head of Department requesting a meeting.
Not knowing if I would be considered – I organised a lift to Perth and to my surprise my meeting invitation was accepted on the same day, so I spent five hours in the car preparing for what felt like the biggest meeting of my life.
At this moment, I had to remind myself of what I had achieved in my life so far. I was a social, extroverted individual; I was the school captain at college and supervisor at my casual job. But would this be enough?
It was… I GOT IN!
Never underestimate the power of life experience and the effort to apply yourself, it will never go unnoticed.
I loved my time at Curtin, the medical imaging community was very supportive and to this day, I’m still in regular contact with my Curtin friends.
Curtin also gave me exposure to many different facets of the medical imaging world from private clinics, hospitals and country care. This practical exposure was so important, as there is a great deal of unpredictability that comes with being a radiographer, so being adaptable is paramount.
Since graduating, I’ve worked in emergency and trauma imaging in my hometown of Geraldton before transitioning into paediatric and women’s imaging at several Perth hospitals. I am currently Chief Radiographer at ChestRad, specialising in cardiac and chest imaging.
Tragically, heart disease is the biggest killer of the West Australian community, claiming more than 4,300 lives each year, so I feel very privileged to help improve the quality of life for the many West Australians affected by this horrible disease.
In the future, I hope to combine my love of cardiovascular radiology with paediatric medicine and help educate and empower the next generation of radiographers across the globe to reach for the stars and help make the world a better place.
Written by
My Tien Dang, Chief Radiographer at ChestRad
After graduating from Curtin with Honours in Medical Imaging Science in 2013, over the last 10 years My has worked as a Radiographer in rural Western Australia before later progressing to a position at Perth Children’s Hospital and now is Chief Radiographer at ChestRad. She specialises in cardiac and chest imaging, helping to improve the quality of life for the many West Australians suffering from heart disease.
