John Sterland writes about his career since leaving Oakham School, his journey and how Oakham School helped him achieved a varied and floruishing career.

'Understanding the world around and within us, that is both physical and life sciences, captured me from childhood, with engineer father and doctor mother. 7 years boarding at Oakham meant no time lost travelling and I embraced chemistry, technology, electronics, and silver halide photography.

Seriously shortsighted I was a scholar rather than a sportsman, and won a place for medicine in London. I rebelled and suffered accordingly but passed finals on time and thought GP would give me interest and independence. This service role required conformity without personal or professional development for me. I spent some years with medical politics and complaints panels then felt I had to move on. Police surgeon's work was varied and absorbing, but impossible hours.

Eventually, I discovered Occupational Medicine, with a combination of creativity and control, stimulation, and enjoyment. Fascinated by the byzantine issues of work-related health and increasingly psychological aspects I lectured and published on “Shaping the Stress Consultation in Occupational Health” and was awarded FFOM (Fellowship Faculty Occupational Medicine) in 2024. This little-known specialty can be truly effective and meaningful for patients helping them stay healthy and at work.

Oakham is a fantastic school that helped me to make a varied career and flourish'.