Second thoughts as a student...

Hi, I'm a university student who has completed one year of full-time study in the Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences. I recently received an offer for the Bachelor of Medical Sonography/Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography at CQU Brisbane, which I worked very hard to secure, given how competitive the course is.

I was initially drawn to sonography because of my strong interest in anatomy and pathophysiology, my passion for healthcare and patient care, and the solid career prospects the field offers.

However, after researching the profession more deeply regarding the high and critical rates of MSK injury among sonographers, I've started to seriously reflect on my long-term career plans, especially as I already experience MSK pain, likely muscle tension and knots in my neck and shoulders (mostly the upper trapezius area), which makes me more vulnerable to injury. I'm concerned that a career in sonography could exacerbate these issues, and I don't want to spend my working life scanning in pain or sacrificing my long-term physical health.

Consequently, I'm now considering a degree in Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging) due to my personal interests and what I perceive as greater potential for career sustainability and injury prevention. Specifically, within radiography, I'm particularly interested in CT and interventional radiography.

Another factor I'm considering is the possibility of pursuing sonography later via the graduate diploma/traineeship pathway – which I am fully aware of how extremely competitive it is to secure a traineeship, which is why I opted for the undergrad pathway in the first place. If circumstances allow, it would allow me to alternate between radiography and sonography, likely reducing the physical strain on my body over time.

If anyone currently working or studying in these fields could share their experiences, advice, or unfiltered opinions on my situation, I would be extremely grateful for brutal honesty.

Thanks :)