Career Goals:
My goal once I complete my undergraduate degree in Biology is to continue on to a physician assistant program. This will allow me to participate in clinical care, which is my long-term goal. Through the LHSI internship, I have been able to determine how I would like to proceed in my future career goals and determine the work environment that I enjoy.
LHSI Goals:
Through the LHSI internship one of my goals was to learn how to interpret and organize scientific data. In my future career, I will need this skill to conduct proper research. I have been able to learn these skills by conducting a scoping review. This review has allowed me to learn the process of scientific writing and data extraction. Since my goal in the future is to attend professional school these skills will be essential in any future research I conduct.
Another one of my goals was to learn how to communicate my findings with other people. This skill is also important for my future research career as I need to know how to effectively communicate my results. I have been able to learn this skill by continuously explaining my thinking process and reasoning behind the decisions I have made during the research process. I also was able to learn this skill by presenting my work to others in the LHSI showcase.
My third goal for the LHSI internship was to determine whether or not research is something I would like to continue to pursue. Before the internship, I was unsure of my future career aspirations. Through this internship, I was able to meet people with different academic backgrounds and discuss their current careers. This helped me learn about what education is required for research positions. I also worked on a research-based project about long-COVID 19. This project gave me a better understanding of what research consists of. Through this career exploration, I have been able to conclude that I would thrive better in a clinical environment rather than a research-based environment.
This summer I will be continuing to work on these goals at the Regenstreif Institute. I will be working to recruit patients for Long-COVID-19 studies. This opportunity will allow me to work on my communication, research, and career goals.