The brain is the most incredible thing on the planet and we can't do anything without it.
Jared Campbell is a hard-working university student who is focused on a career sparked by circumstances in his own life.
In his third year of medicine, Jared is moving towards a bright future.
Reaching where he is today has been by no means a walk in the park. He shows how hard work can pay off.
His workload means he spends up to 80-90 hours a week sitting in his stuffy bedroom studying to gain the highest grades possible.
His sheer determination and hard work has meant that in his first year in health science, he gained an A average across his year and potential distinction in second-year medicine (the highest-category mark).
Jared went to school at Wakatipu High School and gained NCEA level 1 with merit, level 2 with excellence and level 3 with merit.
By his last year, Jared gained a Youth Mark Award and a Principal's Award for academic excellence.
He also gained seven scholarships along the way which has allowed him to go to university, and one which has allowed him to experience a trip overseas for the Leprosy Mission in Nepal - a trip he says changed his life.
Challenges have never held him back.
When Jared was 10, life threw him a curve ball, an obstacle that actually ignited his career.
His dad became sick with a brain tumour and when he heard about what the surgeons were doing, he became inspired by the Christian neurosurgeon who operated on him.
This man inspired him to consider going down the medical pathway and how it would be an incredible way to be able to serve people and do something really interesting at the same time.
By the time Jared was 12, he lost his loving and caring dad.
Although this hit him hard, it has propelled him to pursue his career.
Jared has experienced life-changing opportunities which he never thought would happen.
The biggest opportunity he has had was the trip to Nepal for the Leprosy Mission.
He got to travel with a group of nine others and visit leprosy clinics, and experience the different culture and life.
Throughout his time studying, Jared has also had the opportunity to witness and help with surgeries such as a total hip replacement.
When asked about how he coped with confronting realities at medical school, he replied: ''Dissection is a massive privilege - being able to dissect human bodies and understand the body.
"And also meeting patients is one other massive privilege - being able to meet people who have real symptoms and real diseases.
"I've met people with HIV, diabetes, all sorts of problems and diseases. Being able to sit there, meet them, listen and learn from them is incredible.''
Although he still has three more years before he completes his medical degree, he has a bright future waiting.
Pursuing his biggest goal of getting into neurosurgery could lead him anywhere in the future.
''I like the idea of working on the brain every day and being able to help people deal with those sorts of things.''
Jared wants to be able to have an impact on a community and make a difference in people's lives, whether it's getting involved in research or getting involved with public health.
Wherever Jared plans to work, there are people all over the world who need the same help and that's the cool thing.
He is motivated by the challenge of dealing with people and really challenging situations.
''Every day is going to be different and you constantly need to be at your best so that you can help people - so that you make the biggest impact on them.''
For those thinking of heading down the same pathway, Jared has three tips.
''You have to be passionate, be prepared to work hard and not be thanked for it, necessarily.
''When you have a bad day, you need to be able to get back up and get going.''
• By Emily Campbell, Year 12, Wakatipu High School
