Moving to Palmerston North to study was a significant change for Dan Pitman. Hailing from Whangārei, the 34-year-old has never lived far from the coast and had previously worked in marine conservation and terrestrial environmental work.
In his second year of UCOL's Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology), Dan brings real-world experience and a unique perspective to his studies. His interest in radiography and sonography began at 14 years old when he experienced a ruptured appendix. While he initially focused on working in the great outdoors, his love for physics, anatomy, and healthcare led him to radiography, which he describes as the perfect blend of his passions and an opportunity for a solid career.
Recently, Dan participated in a clinical placement at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital. Despite the initial challenge of working in a busy hospital, Dan appreciated the supportive staff at Middlemore, calling it a "friendly place for students to gain medical radiation experience." He enjoyed working with patients: "Many of them are eager to see us, especially after waiting so long. It's rewarding to see their curiosity about medical radiation, and being able to explain our role in their diagnosis and treatment makes the experience even more meaningful."
While the course is demanding, Dan enjoys the content and finds it engaging. He notes that medical imaging is far more complex than it may seem. "A lot of people think radiography is the push of a button, and that's it. But there's a lot more to it," he says.
"In the emergency department, we work with trauma patients who are often at their most vulnerable, enduring some of their worst days due to illness or injury. While performing diagnostic X-rays, we carefully position either the patient or the equipment, managing it to direct a radiation beam tailored to the specific body part of the specific patient, all while minimising patient movement to prevent rupturing arteries or displacing bone fragments."
Dan has a natural inclination to help others. At UCOL, he is a peer tutor, supporting fellow students with difficult concepts. He approaches his studies with discipline and a clear sense of purpose and acknowledges that balancing the program's demands has meant setting aside hobbies like karate, winemaking, and distilling. However, he still finds time to play the guitar and drums and continue his passion for ecological conservation.
Dan has used his life savings to fund his career change and views his education as an investment in his future and the community's well-being, with 30 years of meaningful work ahead of him. He hopes to head back to Middlemore Hospital for summer employment this summer and then back to Palmerston North for his third-year academic block. Once he graduates, he is committed to staying here in Aotearoa, possibly in his hometown of Whangārei, close to his whānau and the great outdoors, or back at Middlemore.
"If you're passionate about healthcare, science, and helping others, it's worth the commitment. It's demanding, but if you have the discipline and drive, the career is stable, fulfilling, and rewards are there."