Learning Goal #1: To Communicate in a Professional Setting
This will help me get experience on how I can communicate with other professionals in a professional setting. Learning how to talk or write to others who are professionals is common in the healthcare world. To meet this goal, I will:
1. Communicating with my supervisors
2. Practice talking about an article or a journal
3. Summarizing articles/journals in writing
I had experience communicating with my supervisors several times by reaching out to ask questions or even responding to important emails. I would still like to see other scientists communicate with each other and learn more.
Learning Goal #2: Gaining experience in research
Having an idea and learning a different aspect of research that does not just mean working in a lab but rather with patients. Learning how researchers collect their data and how they organize the results they have received. To meet this goal, I will:
1. Review protocols and enter data
2. Learn how to use Redcap
3. Do CITI and HIPPA training
I gained a lot of knowledge about research during my training, including its value in advertising, educating prospective candidates, and the labor-intensive nature of research itself. I also received training on utilizing Redcap to enter data for various tests. This course helped me become more comfortable with utilizing the Redcap database. I've learned to be exact, correct, and conscious of my faults as a result of learning data input. In order to ensure that the test results matched the data entered, I also had the opportunity to check the data entries made by other colleagues.
Learning Goal #3: Working Independently
There will be moments when I need to work on my own but learning to be independent does not have to be scary since I can practice and learn what it is like.
1. Managing my work schedule
2. Asking for questions and help
3. Taking more independent topics
Being able to face my worries and speak with my superiors when I have questions or concerns has changed my ability to be independent. When there were tests that had to be completed and a deadline, I would schedule my time according to the quantity of data I had to enter to finish on time. I'm confident that overcoming this phobia will enable me to enhance my independence while also strengthening my other abilities.
Current Career/ Academic Goals:
I wish to pursue a career in medicine by attending medical school. The functioning of the body and the ways in which various medications might alleviate pain or illness have always captivated me. I was able to observe physicians at my internship site, and I had the opportunity to observe a pediatrician, which is a specialty of interest to me. Giving me a glimpse into the work and patient interactions of pediatricians validated my professional aspirations. I was able to pick up knowledge about data entry and medical research during my internship. I now have a different perspective on research and am better able to comprehend the capabilities of doctors. I still have an interest in achieving my career goal and aim to set and meet new academic objectives.
Prior to commencing the internship, my objectives underwent a shift as I acquired expertise in various methods of research. I discovered a lot about autism during this time, such as how few medical professionals in Indiana are qualified to diagnose it. I also had the opportunity to jump in and see what it's like to work in the healthcare industry. Through this experience, I gained knowledge about data entry and its applications in research. I was mostly terrified of this new experience, but by putting myself in possibly beneficial and educational circumstances, I will be able to grow and become better equipped for the future. I want to get more involved in endeavors that will help me develop and become less fearful of expanding my professional horizons and obtaining experience.
Skills being Used:
So far, the skills I've used are independence, problem-solving, and addressing problems. The entry of data is essentially independent work; I typically look at test answers and enter them into their respective columns. There are difficulties when there is no connected PDF to enter the patient's data or when the wrong PDF is attached to the wrong patient's file. In situations like this, I communicate the issue with my supervisor, understanding that it is something I cannot fix on my own and was not taught to accomplish. I also use communication and a bit of teamwork when it comes to helping coworkers with reviewing data entries or working together to enter data before the due date. Although there seems little teamwork there is still a contribution made when doing any kind of data entry. When questions come up, I am sure to email my supervisor to seek for answers in the time being.
Skills to Work On:
My goal is to become more adept at seeking out criticism or comments from others. I haven't thought about getting feedback on any of my other skills to see where I could get better or what I could do differently. Even though the majority of my goals had been reached, I could still monitor my progress. One of the opportunities that could have sealed my fate to reach my objectives was lost on me.
I won't be afraid to accept feedback and ask questions in order to develop these skills. It will be easier for me to solve the issue and get better results if I know what needs improvement or if I made a mistake. Other than complimenting me on my accurate data entry, there isn't much feedback available for data entry; nevertheless, it may also be in the sense of enabling me to proceed with other types of data entry. Additionally, I may make sure to let my supervisor know about the lost opportunity and look for another chance to attend the event. Even though I was unable to attend this one, I'm sure there will be others that I can go to in the future.
Building on Existing Skills:
My existing talents, such as organization and time management, are still being used to ensure that a given number of data entries are completed within a set time frame. If I complete the targeted number of data entries before the time restriction expires, I will make sure to add a few more until my time is up. When there is no due data for a specific test to be entered, I still make the effort to have a targeted number of how many data entries I want to enter and include other tests as well. I also take the risk of learning new test data entries or even new skills. This risk-taking has allowed me to involve a little teamwork in helping a coworker verify data entries that had a physical test. I was committed to going to work in person and getting the most of the test verified.
The internship helped in gain a deeper understanding of my coursework:
I now have a stronger understanding of research and database entry thanks to my internship. I had to complete training before I could start entering data. I learned a lot from this course on what to do before beginning research, what to look out for once you're underway, and how to use caution while promoting your study to potential patients. It has also helped me decide whether I want to see a little bit of the workplace and pursue my professional objective further. I understand that this aspect of the work environment can differ from that of other vocations that are comparable. Of course, there is always more to learn, but I firmly believe that my abilities have grown and that I am confident in my work at the internship location.