A Society survey of students and recently qualified radiographers looking at their motivations, finances and experiences, has been published.
Over 800 respondents answered an online questionnaire about the reasons they chose radiography, student debt, and their first job.
Findings from the online questionnaire include:
- Just over half of diagnostic radiography respondents and 47% of therapeutic were over 21 at the start of their radiography programme
- 84% of diagnostic radiographers and 65% of therapeutic radiographers started their first job within two months of qualification
- 85% of respondents said it is completely or mostly true that their career is so far consistent with their expectations
- The key reasons for choosing a specific course are the course/university reputation and the clinical placement arrangements
- For diagnostic radiography courses, the most common factors causing students to consider leaving their course are personal or family reasons, or finding the course too difficult
- For therapeutic radiography courses, the most common reason is dissatisfaction with clinical placement
The vast majority said that it is completely or mostly true that their radiography course prepared them sufficiently for their first job.
With regard to job expectations, the most important are job satisfaction, enjoyment, job security, and skills and knowledge development.