Goals & Learning

This school semester has been a really pivotal and stimulating time for me as it has allowed me to think about my next step in terms of academic goals. Recently, I have been thinking and researching about graduate programs that would fit my undergraduate degree and career goals. So far, Health Administration and Public Health are programs that have interested me from my investigation and are potential options that I will explore for graduate school. I enjoy learning and I feel that graduate school will further prepare me as an individual and professional. It will also allow me to make further connections and have a broader set of career opportunities in the healthcare field. My career goals include working in research whether Clinical or in a lab setting, but I am also open to exploring other options outside of just those. To find out if my career and academic goals align with my strengths and preferences, I plan to continue to assess my skills and interests and actively engage with faculty members and peers who could be great resources.

Since October, my internship experience has played a key role in shaping my career planning and my understanding of where I might focus my future career. While I initially was primarily focused on clinical or lab-based research, my internship gave me exposure to the broader healthcare environment. Through this experience, I had the opportunity to work closely with professionals in healthcare administration and policy. This has made me realize that, while I am still deeply interested in research, I’m also intrigued by the operational and strategic sides of healthcare delivery. I’ve learned that I can contribute meaningfully to the healthcare field in various ways, whether through research, policy work, or healthcare administration.

The internship not only helped me confirm my interest in research but also opened my eyes to how interconnected the fields of healthcare administration and public health are with clinical research. The opportunity to collaborate with people working in these areas showed me how diverse healthcare careers can be and how working in one area can complement and inform others. This realization has made me more open to exploring interdisciplinary paths, blending research with management or policy work.

Reflecting on my previous goals, I feel more confident in using my self-knowledge and preferences to make career-related decisions. I’ve developed a clearer understanding of my strengths and interests—particularly in research and healthcare—and I now feel more equipped to make decisions based on a fuller picture of what my career can look like. Additionally, the experience of working closely with professionals in various healthcare roles has given me a deeper insight into how I can leverage my skills to succeed in different sectors of healthcare, from clinical settings to healthcare management.

Looking back at the goals I set in my LHSI application, I can see significant progress. One of my primary goals was to gain hands-on experience in healthcare and expand my professional network. My internship provided invaluable exposure to the healthcare field and allowed me to meet professionals who have been great resources for future career decisions. Another goal was to better understand the academic and career pathways that would best align with my skills, and my research into graduate programs, as well as conversations with mentors and peers, have given me more direction.

As for the rest of my time at IU Indianapolis, I plan to continue expanding my network by attending healthcare events and seeking mentorship from faculty and professionals in both the public health and healthcare administration fields. I also plan to apply for additional internships or research opportunities that will allow me to further develop my skills and explore the intersection of clinical research and healthcare management. This summer, I aim to find a research position that aligns with my interests, particularly one that offers a hands-on experience in healthcare research or public health. By continuing to build upon the experiences and goals I’ve set for myself, I feel confident that I’m moving in the right direction toward achieving my long-term career objectives in healthcare.

Learning Goal #1: Participate in tasks and activities that may seem outside my comfort zone.

Relevance: I tend to stick to my routines and the things I feel most comfortable with because I don't like the anxiety that comes with doing new things and not knowing what to expect. However, I believe that in order to grow in different ways, I have to challenge myself with different types of challenges. I hope that this learning goal will prepare me for my future because through challenges, new knowledge and skills are acquired.

Action Plan: 

1. Not limiting myself to only the tasks assigned to me. 

2. Taking the initiative in projects and activities that would not normally involve me, as long as I am allowed to do so.

3. Being available and helpful whenever I can.

Progress: Over the course of my internship, I’ve pushed myself to engage in tasks outside of my comfort zone. One example was when I volunteered to take on a small project involving data collection and analysis that I initially didn’t feel equipped for. Although it was outside my usual routine, I ended up learning new skills in data analysis and presentation. This experience helped me build my confidence in handling unfamiliar tasks. However, I did face challenges in the beginning, such as feeling unsure of how to approach certain tasks, which required me to ask more questions and take extra time to research. Despite the initial discomfort, it was rewarding to see the project through and contribute to the team’s efforts.

Next Steps:

• I plan to continue seeking out opportunities that push me outside my comfort zone, especially in areas related to healthcare administration and public health.

• I want to take on more responsibilities and contribute to projects outside of my usual scope, such as assisting in policy development or public health initiatives, depending on what opportunities arise.

• I will also make a more conscious effort to actively seek feedback from colleagues and supervisors to ensure that I’m growing in areas where I may feel less confident.

Learning Goal #2: Growing as a professional

Relevance: To prepare for my future, I need to grow as a professional in the opportunity that is currently presented to me. I believe that this internship will have a positive impact on my professional growth.

Action Plan: 

1. Have a positive attitude towards things

2. Do what is expected of me and more if possible

3. Take my role seriously

Progress: I’ve made significant strides in growing as a professional. I have consistently maintained a positive attitude, even during more challenging or tedious tasks, which helped me build strong relationships with my team members. One accomplishment I’m particularly proud of is my ability to take on more responsibility, such as managing small projects or coordinating with other teams. This helped me develop a better sense of professionalism in terms of communication, time management, and collaboration. A difficulty I encountered was balancing my workload at times, which required me to refine my organizational skills and improve my ability to prioritize tasks.

Next Steps:

• I will continue to focus on maintaining a positive and professional attitude, especially when working on tasks that are outside of my comfort zone.

• I plan to develop better strategies for managing multiple tasks at once, such as using time management tools or prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance.

• I also want to expand my professional network by connecting with more colleagues in different areas of healthcare to learn from their experiences and perspectives.

Learning Goal #3: To not be afraid to ask as many questions as possible.

Relevance: Asking questions is essential to overall learning. Coming into my internship, I had no prior experience or knowledge in the field, so I prioritize asking questions as I go, to the right people to ensure I get accurate information to further expand my knowledge and therefore not feel confused or overwhelmed by my duties and expectations.

Action Plan:

1. Show up

2. Be a good listener

3. Take notes

Progress: I’ve made great progress in being proactive about asking questions. Early on, I made a conscious effort to ask for clarification when I didn’t understand something, which helped me get on track more quickly. I’ve also learned to ask follow-up questions and delve deeper into concepts when I feel it’s necessary to understand the bigger picture. One of the difficulties I’ve encountered, however, is sometimes feeling hesitant to ask questions in front of others. However, I’ve found that most colleagues are supportive and appreciative of my curiosity, which has made it easier to ask questions over time.

Next Steps:

• I will continue to ask questions whenever necessary, especially in situations where I feel I need to deepen my understanding.

• I will work on overcoming my hesitation to ask questions in group settings by reminding myself that asking questions is an essential part of learning and professional growth.

• I plan to ask more about how the organization functions as a whole, not just my specific tasks, in order to gain a better understanding of the healthcare system at large.

October: So far, at my internship site, I am using my communication, problem-solving, and independence skills. In my lab, my colleagues and I frequently work on tasks where we collaborate as a team, which requires proper communication amongst one another. Most recently, I have been assigned a task where I work independently measuring tibial staining. I received a brief training on how to operate the microscopes and have been working independently ever since. I enjoy the teamwork aspect as much as independent work, as there are times when I have to figure things out on my own, which pushes me to solve problems. 

March: Since the fall, I have gained more confidence in using my communication, problem-solving, and independent work skills. I’ve grown particularly comfortable with problem-solving, as I now feel more confident in troubleshooting issues during independent tasks. For instance, when a problem with equipment calibration arose during my tibial staining task, I took the initiative to examine the situation, diagnosed the issue, and sought feedback to verify my solution. This experience helped me understand the importance of persistence and critical thinking when troubleshooting problems independently. Additionally, I’ve noticed growth in my communication skills—particularly in sharing my progress and concerns with the team, ensuring that we all stay aligned on our project goals.

October: I will continue to work on my problem-solving skills. I still have a lot to learn in my lab, so when I am working independently and questions arise, I am hesitant to try to figure things out on my own when a problem arises. To continue to grow these skills, I will try to understand the root cause of an arising problem, and closely evaluation my solutions. 

March: I still plan to continue developing my problem-solving skills, but I now feel more confident in my ability to approach challenges on my own. This semester, I’ve learned to embrace the trial-and-error process when working independently, especially when troubleshooting equipment or experimental setups. One of my goals for the remainder of my internship is to take more initiative in solving problems before asking for help. I want to continue evaluating my solutions more closely and learning from any mistakes. Moving forward, I’ll focus on refining my decision-making process, ensuring I apply the knowledge I’ve gained from the internship to tackle problems more efficiently.

I am passionate about all aspects of healthcare, so doing this internship and being exposed to Dr. Plotkin's bone research and everything that goes into it has reinforced my interest for healthcare as a whole. It has allowed me to connect the theoretical knowledge from my coursework to practical, real-world applications. For example, concepts from my biology and physiology classes have become much clearer as I apply them in the lab. The hands-on experience with techniques like bone staining and microscopy has made me more confident in my ability to contribute to scientific research. Additionally, I’ve gained insight into the importance of research in advancing healthcare and the way scientific discoveries can influence patient care and treatment options. This experience has not only deepened my understanding of my major but has also solidified my desire to pursue a career in healthcare research.