More than a decade after graduating, Dr Ning Song’s career shows the value of staying curious, embracing opportunities and trusting the process.
When Dr Ning Song began studying medicine at UNSW, he knew he wanted to become a doctor. What he didn’t know was exactly which type of doctor he’d become, or the many paths his career would take along the way.
Today, he works as a cardiologist in Sydney, splitting his time between patient care, teaching and research. He recently completed a PhD at UNSW and St Vincent’s Hospital, adding another chapter to a career that has steadily evolved through curiosity, hard work and a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities.
Looking back, Ning is quick to point out that becoming a cardiologist was never part of a grand plan.
“In high school, I knew I wanted to do medicine. But where I am today, as a cardiologist, is not something I had envisioned back then,” he says.
Instead, his career unfolded gradually as he gained exposure to different areas of medicine and discovered what interested him. That opportunity to explore different specialities was one of the things he valued most about studying medicine at UNSW.
“People may think medicine is quite a focused area, but medicine is really quite wide. And doctors are vastly different.”
The value of trusting the process
Ning began his Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at UNSW in 2007, graduating in 2012. Like most students, he was focused on getting through the next exam, placement or assessment. It wasn’t until after graduation that he realised just how much UNSW had been preparing him for life beyond university.
“Looking back, the degree was much more thoughtfully designed than I gave it credit for at the time,” reflects Ning with a smile.
“When you’re a student, you think some courses are just boxes you have to tick. It’s only later that you realise how much of the degree was preparing you for situations you hadn’t encountered yet.”
The combination of classroom learning, research, placements and clinical exposure gave him a foundation that would continue to prove valuable throughout his career.
One aspect of the degree Ning particularly enjoyed was the opportunity to explore interests beyond medicine.
He chose higher mathematics as an elective, a subject he still draws on today. He sees strong similarities between mathematics and cardiology. Both appeal to his love of logic, systems and problem-solving.
“Cardiology is probably the area of medicine most similar to engineering or physics. There are often more answers than not, and I quite enjoy that way of thinking.”
From campus to clinics
After spending two years primarily on campus, he moved into clinical placements, gaining hands-on experience in hospitals and healthcare settings.
During his final two years, he completed a placement in Wagga Wagga. At the time, it wasn’t where he had hoped to be placed, but it ultimately became one of the most valuable experiences of his degree.
“It was a blessing in disguise. I think it made me a better person overall,” he says.
Working in a busy regional healthcare setting gave him significant responsibility and exposure, helping him develop both professionally and personally. It also revealed a different side of healthcare, where doctors often work with fewer resources and broader responsibilities.
Combined with his other placements and UNSW’s strong focus on practical learning, the rural experience helped prepare him for the realities of life as a doctor after graduation.
UNSW Medicine graduating class of 2012 outside the Wagga Wagga Rural Clinical School building. Ning Song is pictured in the top right.
Becoming a junior doctor
Like many medical graduates, Ning’s first year as an intern came with a steep learning curve.
“You’re managing expectations from the hospital and from patients. It can be quite overwhelming,” he says.
He credits UNSW’s practical approach with helping ease that transition – particularly the Preparation for Internship course.
“I spent six weeks shadowing a medical intern,” explains Ning.
“It allows you to absorb what they do and try to figure out how you’re going to survive the next year when you graduate.”
Over time, Ning discovered that cardiology aligned closely with his strengths and interests. The cardiovascular system appealed to his analytical side, combining science, physiology and problem-solving. At the same time, cardiology offered something equally important: the opportunity to work closely with patients and help them better understand their health.
“I enjoy talking to people and being able to teach them about their disease, so they can be more knowledgeable about their own conditions and improve their health overall.”
A career that keeps evolving
More than a decade after graduating, Ning’s connection with UNSW continues. Alongside his clinical work, he recently completed a PhD focused on cardiovascular physiology and heart valve disease.
For him, the value of research extends far beyond the findings themselves. The experience changed the way he approaches problems, interprets evidence and makes decisions.
“It gives me a new perspective on how to interpret all the data that’s out there. That, in turn, helps my decision-making in clinical practice.”
Today, his typical week includes seeing patients, supervising junior doctors and medical students, and continuing cardiovascular research. It’s a career that reflects the breadth of opportunities in medicine. Beyond clinical practice, doctors may find themselves teaching, conducting research, leading healthcare organisations or even running their own businesses.
“There are many niche areas. It does take a little while to find the right thing for you.”
For Ning, that’s one of the profession’s greatest strengths. Medicine isn’t a single career path but a foundation that can lead in many directions.
Ning Song at his UNSW graduation in 2012.
Looking ahead
When reflecting on the path that brought him to where he is today, Ning's advice is surprisingly simple.
"If you keep working at something, everything will work out."
It's a philosophy that has served him well.
Rather than chasing a predetermined destination, Ning has built his career one step at a time – following his interests, embracing opportunities as they arise and continuing to learn along the way.
For students considering medicine, his story is a reminder that you don't need to have every step mapped out from the start. A medical degree can open doors to clinical practice, research, teaching, leadership and countless other opportunities.
The challenge isn't choosing every step in advance. It's being willing to take the next one.
What Ning valued most about studying at UNSW
Being career ready
Discovering the many career pathways available within medicine
Being well prepared for the transition from student to junior doctor
A degree that revealed its value more and more after graduation
Hands on clinical learning
Early exposure to real-world healthcare environments
Learning through extensive clinical placements
The opportunity to study in both metropolitan and reginal settings
Growth beyond medicine
Exploring subjects beyond medicine, including higher mathematics
Building research and critical thinking skills
Ning's career journey at a glance
Medical student, UNSW
Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), 2007–2012
↓
Rural Clinical School Placement, Wagga Wagga
Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, 2011–2012 (Phase 3)
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Junior Doctor (Intern and Resident Medical Officer), Sydney
St George Hospital, 2013–2014
↓
Basic Physician Trainee, Sydney
St Vincent's Hospital Network, 2015–2016
↓
Advanced training in Cardiology
St Vincent's Hospital Network, 2017–2019
↓
Cardiologist
Multiple public/private hospitals/clinics, 2020–current
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Researcher
Multiple public/private hospitals/clinics, 2020–current
About the UNSW Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine
The UNSW Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine combines scientific knowledge with extensive clinical experience, giving students early exposure to real healthcare environments from the start of their degree. You'll learn from leading clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals while developing the practical, analytical and communication skills needed to thrive in modern medicine. Through hospital placements, community-based learning and research opportunities, you'll graduate ready to navigate the complexities of patient care and an evolving healthcare system.
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