Published: 08 March 2024
Today, 8 March, is International Women’s Day. The theme of the day this year is inspire inclusion.
To celebrate this, we share the story of class on 2018 Biomedical Science alumna Gabriela Barzyk-Sheriff who is the Co-Founder and Trustee at In2MedSchool, a charity which supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds apply to study Medicine and healthcare-related degrees at university.
Gabriela has recently received a number of awards recognising her work helping to widen participation in higher education.
As well as being named an Emerging Young Leader by the Leadership Institute and one of 50 Rising Stars in Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance by Women of the Future; Gabriela has also been named one of 50 Leading Lights by Kindness and Leadership, won best mentor at the 2023 Student Social Mobility Awards and been shortlisted for Champion of Social Mobility at the same awards all within the past year.
I was working harder rather than smarter
“I am from a widening participation background myself. I moved to the UK aged 13 with no English, so I have first-hand experience of the various barriers faced by widening participation students who want to get into university.
Aside from the practical aspects like a lack of a network or finances, looking back, I remember the various ways I tried to strengthen my application after hearing horror stories about what was needed to be a successful applicant.
- Gabriela Barzyk-Sherrif -
"With the lack of understanding and appropriate support to guide me through the application, I was working harder rather than smarter - be it through sending 100+ emails to try get work experience or hearing that you have to play an instrument to make an application stand out."
I was clutching at each straw to try to make my dream happen.
- Gabriela Barzyk-Sherrif -
“Thinking back on my experiences, I want to help others who are in the same position as I was achieve their goals. This could be by making them aware of help that is available so they can make informed decisions about their career journeys or providing advice and resources as a mentor.”
Making a difference
As a working professional Gabriela now has to juggle her responsibilities with In2MedSchool alongside her work as a Trustee and Director at the Widening Participation Medics Network and an NHS Foundation Year 2 Doctor among other responsibilities.
It has definitely been challenging at times essentially having a second job – with numerous meetings, late nights and troubleshooting - on top of full time NHS work, but I absolutely love it!
- Gabriela Barzyk-Sherrif -
“The motivation to do it comes from knowing my work is making a difference and understanding how much I would have benefited from the support we provide when I was younger. Because I love what I do, I look forward to the meetings and catching up with my team, getting updates and figuring out solutions to problems.
I am fortunate to be working with a fantastic team of individuals. Without them the work we do, especially on the scale we do it, would not be possible.
- Gabriela Barzyk-Sherrif -
"There is a great community feel and I am very fortunate to call many of the individuals within the team great friends which really helps with the day-to-day responsibilities!”
I really loved my time at St George's
I really loved my time at St George’s, it really reaffirmed my career choice. I got involved in so many different opportunities which allowed me to get out of my comfort zone, learn about myself, and meet some fantastic people.
- Gabriela Barzyk-Sherrif -
"From doing a charity trek in Morocco to photographing wonderful shows to getting involved in a summer dissection programme - I would have never imagined how much I would have done and how much I was about to gain when I started at George’s."
I am fortunate to have met some of my best friends there, including my wonderful husband (fellow alumnus, Vafie Sherrif, pictured right with Gabriela)! The place holds a very special place in my heart.
- Gabriela Barzyk-Sherrif -
“I made the most out of my time the university. I was heavily involved in student life and really enjoyed ensuring the student voice was heard to make a difference and help facilitate improvement. I have been able to utilise all those experiences to help shape what I do today.”
If you are inspired by Gabriela and would like to know more about her endeavours this International Women’s Day, you can find her LinkedIn profile here.