We had the pleasure of catching up with our new VP Chandran in his home town of Milton Keynes. As many of you may not know much about Chandran, we asked him a few questions.
What part of the new role do you love?
And what part do you hate doing?
I think the best part of being VP is meeting PAs from around the UK and hearing all the great
work they are doing. Every day I live and breathe the PA profession, I take great pride in being a PA
and when representing the profession in national meetings gives me overwhelming satisfaction.
Speaking to new stakeholders/societies who are as equally passionate about the PA profession is also
something I really enjoy.
I don’t think I hate any tasks, maybe the volume of emails!
Imagine yourself in four years. What do you hope will be different about you and the PA profession?
I still see myself working in a clinical and academic setting, treating patients, and educating students
as this gives me great satisfaction. The PA profession is going from strength to strength and in four years’ time I expect to see a structured career pathway with a lot more PAs holding senior positions in the healthcare industry.
Talk to me about when you were seven or eight. Whom did you want to be?
Indiana Jones! Why not! Who could not resist excavating important artefacts and gold?
What is your favourite property in Monopoly, and why?
It has to be Mayfair, doesn’t it? The most expensive property and it gives you the greatest chance
of winning.
What did you learn from your mum?
Not to be fussy with food! I had to eat everything that was given to me.
Among the people you’ve worked with, whom do you admire and why?
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”. Such an inspirational quote, as
it really means we all rely on the ideas that came before us, and I think one person who motivated me
with such ideas was Karen Roberts. Karen was my initial course director when I was a PA student who
then became my colleague when I worked at SGUL, Karen was a highly influential and motivational
person, and she shaped my PA career.
If you found out you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
Tough one. For one, I’d love to set up a charity for PAs (help with the cost of living and provide
scholarships for PA students). And secondly, I would travel the world and take a break
from emails!
What fictional character do you identify the most with? Why them?
Tony Soprano – not for his criminal activity! He was however a very goal-driven, charismatic,
and compassionate individual and you could see that from the interaction he had with his family.
If you were on a desert island and could only bring three things or people there, what or
who would you bring?
- My Fiancée (I was forced, there is a wedding
at stake!) - My Vinyl player and speakers (solar powered
of course) - My Vinyl collection