Naomi Craft - Blackheath - 1975 - 1981

General Practitioner

I have been a doctor for nearly 20 years, and a general practitioner for about half that time. The first ten years was spent qualifying as it takes at least five years at medical school and at least four years qualifying to be a GP. This doesn't include any time taken off to have children, to travel or study for exams.

At the same time as working as a GP, I've retained my interest in the arts, and have carved a career as a medical writer, working first full time for the British Medical Journal, and then working as a freelance writer for a variety of medical and lay press including The Guardian, Which, and Bella.

I now combine parenting, part-time general practice, and part-time writing.

I'd be delighted to offer advice or support to anyone interested in a career in medicine or medical journalism.

For anyone considering a career in medicine, my top tips are:

1. Don't be put off if you don't make the grades you were predicted. I retook my A levels, and got in to medical school a year later.

2. Do try and find out what the working day is like by talking to as many qualified doctors as you can.

3. Do remember that a lot of clinical medicine is about talking to people.If you aren't interested in people, maybe medical research would suit you better.

4. Do expect a good income, but if money is important to you, do a comparison with corporate law or accountancy and you may be disappointed.

5. Do remember to prepare for an interview for medical school. Enthusiasm and determination will impress.