Learning Goal One: Develop strong foundational knowledge of SHH Study
This goals fits into my career goal because it will help prepare me for graduate school and a career as a Physician Assistant. It also increases my experience to make me competitive for graduate school applications.
What tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities will you do to meet this goal?
Exposure to pediatric sleep and feeding practices
Exposure to obesity prevention research
Attending and participating in multi-site study meetings with developmental and clinical researchers
Helping to conduct virtual home visits with families, especially those who predominantly speak Spanish
As I am approaching the end term of my internship, I can confidently talk about the SHH study to anyone who might wonder what we do at the lab.
Learning Goal Two: Contributing my knowledge and skills to the research
This goal will fit into my career and help prepare me for my future because it will help me use my bilingual skills to help with future patients. These goals also help me apply my prior undergrad and research knowledge to grad school in the future.
What tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities will you do to meet this goal?
Communicating in project meetings and lab meetings
Weighing in on materials that have been translated into Spanish
Directly communicating in Spanish to Spanish speaking families / participants
By using professional research websites and speaking to a collaboration of professionals, I am more confident in my abilities in which I effectively utilize in my professional career.
Learning Goal Three: Exposure to a professional, interdisciplinary research lab
In my long-term goal of being a PA, I will need to work in interdisciplinary settings. Being familiar with the environment and collaborating with professionals will better prepare me when I enter the workforce.
What tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities will you do to meet this goal?
Attending project meetings and lab meetings
Collaborating with clinical psychologists, developmental psychologists, and MDs, as well as my fellow research assistants
Learning research tools and technology, such as redcap.
I have learned so much of the professional world and have understood my communication style while speaking to professional individuals. By attending lab meeting and using research tools and technology I have a better understanding of the professional world and how I am able to apply my knowledge to professional situations.
Being able to participate in studies and interview mothers for our research study has granted me the ability to improve my communication skills. In the few months that I have been apart of the lab, my confidence and interview skills have improved. I have also felt stronger in my problem-solving skills as I have engaged in several trainings and practices for the interviews.
Being able to have this experience has granted me the ability to become independent and confident in my interpersonal skills. In the future, I hope to become a Physician Assistant and specialize in either dermatology or pediatrics. Being able to interact with individuals in the studies has given me an outlook to how patient interaction could be in the future. I have gained a lot of insight on the importance of applying my skills to the research. Learning a lot through the work I have done has given me the opportunity to grow in several ways. only making me more excited for the new opportunities ahead.
As I am now reaching the end of my internship, I can confidently say that I have grown so much as an intern, student, and future professional. The skills I have learned while being an intern are ones that I can later transfer to my professional career as a Physician Assistant. By enhancing my Spanish medical language, I can approach my career as a bilingual individual more confidently as I have learned how to speak professionally in my first language.