About Me

My experiences and skills 

I have been fortunate enough be awarded the opportunity to work in various industries that have developed my professional skill set. From my first job at Kroger to working in a lab within the LHSI program, I have grown from each experience in many ways. I also work a part-time job at Two Men and a Truck, a moving company, and have for the past four years. While there I have taken on more responsibility as an employee and am often looked towards for educating new hires as well as servicing high-priority customers. I have also been fortunate enough to volunteer regularly within the community. More recently, I have been a volunteer high school soccer coach, Instructional assistant at Hazel Dell Elementary in a self contained ED classroom and have recently reach my one year milestone with Big Brother Big Sister of Central Indian. I believe these experiences have laid the foundation for being a good leader, as I am heavily relied upon to make an impact on future generations.

I have developed strong biological and chemical lab skills throughout my education. My position within Dr. Schlecht’s research lab has allowed me to build this skill set. I am often referred to as a good leader, communicator, and learner based on my previous work experiences. I have taken on a great deal of leadership and responsibility in various positions. At each position, I have excelled in not only my role as an employee but making those better around me. Being a volunteer in an elementary SPED classroom has taught me many valuable lessons. Communication plays a huge role in the classroom. Continuous and detailed communication allows for a proper approach to teaching and consequently learning. This is emphasized in a classroom setting that houses many different learning disabilities. This attributes to my detailed oriented nature and fluid communication skills in a work setting. As a volunteer coach, I was responsible for encouraging my players. This showcased my abilities as a leader to get the most out of my players. Coaching taught me how to showcase my own skills and inspire those around me. 

This past semester has taught me the importance of time management. With the MCAT right around the corner, my time is more valuable than ever before. Staying on top of my classes, attending my internship, working, and studying for the MCAT have been no small feat. Managing my time adequately has been pivotal in maintaining a healthy routine to best prepare myself each day. I have organized a schedule within my internship that allows me to gain valuable experiences in a timely manner while still being able to maintain my academics.  Fortunately, almost all of what I am currently involved in is preparing me for the future. More specifically, my internship often times allows me to apply what I learned in lectures to what is seen in the industry. These applicable experiences are what continue to drive my desire of attending medical school.

Teamwork

Prior to attending IUPUI, I played division 1 soccer at Bradley University. For most of my life, I have been on a sports team and been in a team setting constantly. This allowed me to become very comfortable with these environments built on teamwork. While sports team members do not share all the same attributes as those seen in the workplace, many of them cross over. For instance, communication plays an important role in achieving a common goal no matter the circumstance. The biggest thing I took away from sports is how to effectively communicate to get the best out of those around you. This is interpreted as constructive criticism, but positive feedback is just as important, if not more, to build relationships among peers. I have personally seen this in my coaching days and as a player. No one wants a coach that constantly berates them, but you also won't get much better if nothing is ever said. In balancing these two stances, I have come to firmly understand through multiple seasons as a volunteer coach and 2 years in a special education classroom.