Goals and Learning

Career Goals

• My current career goal is to become a pediatrician, specializing in early diagnosis and intervention for developmental disorders, particularly autism. I am motivated by the desire to improve healthcare access for underserved communities and ensure that children receive the support they need at an early age. These goals are deeply influenced by my experiences growing up with a younger brother who has autism. His journey has profoundly shaped my perspective on the field of medicine and has inspired my commitment to a career in healthcare. As a child, I observed the challenges our family faced, which ignited my desire to be part of the solution. I aspire to provide equitable care and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families. 

• I am quite sure of this career path, as I have a strong passion for working with children and a commitment to addressing health disparities in pediatric care. My internship experiences have further reinforced my desire to pursue this specialization.This year, I will seek out shadowing opportunities with pediatricians and participate in workshops focused on child development and autism intervention. I will also actively engage in discussions with mentors and healthcare professionals to gain insights into the field and evaluate how well it aligns with my skills and interests.

Internship Goals

• Learning Goal #1: Learn about Medical Databases and Understand the Procedures within Medical Research.

  • • Relevance: Understanding how to navigate medical databases is crucial for conducting research and practicing evidence-based medicine, empowering me to access the latest scientific findings and integrate them into my medical practice.
      
      

    • Action Plan:

1. Participate in research-related internships/positions.

2. Collaborate with team members to input and analyze medical data.

3. Attend research meetings and seminars on database tools and management techniques.

• Progress: This semester, I’ve taken initiative to expand my learning by using research software, engaging in qualitative and quantitative projects, and building connections with researchers in autism and pediatric care. I’ve received constructive feedback from my mentors on my coding and communication, and I’ve applied it to improve the quality of my work. These experiences have helped me reflect on how I want to approach healthcare in the future.

• Next Steps: I plan to continue seeking mentorship and will look for pediatric-focused research or clinical shadowing opportunities after LHSI. I’m also exploring ways to share my work in presentations or abstracts. This goal hasn’t changed but has become more focused on pediatric career alignment.

• Learning Goal #2: Gain Skills Required to Succeed in Medical Research.
  
  

  • • • • Relevance: Acquiring skills such as data analysis, communication, and critical thinking will prepare me to be a successful researcher and physician, essential in both research environments and clinical practice.
          
          

        • Action Plan:

1. Take part in training sessions on research methodologies and data analysis.

2. Develop communication skills by presenting research findings to the team.

3. Work on collaborative projects, honing problem-solving and teamwork skills.

• Progress: This semester, I’ve made strong progress in developing my communication and critical thinking skills. I present findings weekly in our team meetings, which has helped me become more confident and clear in sharing ideas. I also helped interpret behavioral patterns and linked them to broader research questions, applying critical thinking to real scenarios. One difficulty I faced was feeling unsure of whether my contributions were accurate, but feedback from the team reassured me and helped me improve. 

• Next Steps: I want to continue building confidence in interpreting data and asking deeper questions. After LHSI, I plan to join research projects where I can take on more responsibility in analysis or literature review. This goal remains the same, but I now feel more confident in where I stand and where I want to grow next.

• Learning Goal #3: Maximize Learning and Professional Development Opportunities.
  
  

  • • • Relevance: Making the most of this internship will provide the practical experience necessary to solidify my commitment to the medical field and ensure I have the right knowledge to pursue a pediatric career.
        

      • Action Plan:

1. Seek feedback from mentors and supervisors to continuously improve.

2. Attend additional training and seminars to expand my knowledge beyond the core research.

3. Engage with medical professionals and peers to build a network for future opportunities.

• Progress: This semester, I’ve actively sought feedback and used it to refine my communication style and better understand research goals. I’ve also attended team seminars and events that deepened my insight into pediatric care and early autism intervention. Speaking with my mentor and other professionals helped clarify my long-term goals, especially in pediatrics. A challenge was balancing these growth opportunities with coursework, but managing my time well made it possible. 

• Next Steps: I’ll continue seeking out shadowing or clinical observation experiences, especially ones related to pediatric care. After LHSI, I plan to stay in touch with the professionals I’ve met and look for research assistant roles that align with my goals. This goal remains unchanged, but I’m expanding my networking efforts and focusing more on pediatrics.

Learning

• • • • • So far, I feel confident in my time management and teamwork skills. For example, I've effectively prioritized my tasks during the internship, ensuring that I meet deadlines while balancing my coursework. Collaborating with team members on research projects has also improved my ability to communicate and work collectively towards common goals. 

        • Since fall, I’ve continued to build on these strengths—especially in teamwork and communication. Leading weekly discussions about data findings has helped me gain more confidence when presenting information and taking initiative. I’ve also improved in time management by setting weekly goals and adjusting my schedule to accommodate both internship responsibilities and class assignments. These habits have helped me stay on top of tasks, even during busy weeks.

        • However, I recognize that I need to work on knowing when to ask for help and integrating skills into real-life situations. To grow in these areas, I plan to actively seek feedback from my supervisors and colleagues when I encounter challenges. Additionally, I will engage in discussions about specific scenarios during team meetings to better understand how to apply my skills effectively in practical situations. 

        • I still want to continue working on knowing when to ask for help and applying skills in real-world situations. This semester, I’ve made progress by reaching out more during team meetings and asking clarifying questions, which has helped me gain a better understanding of complex tasks. After LHSI, I plan to keep practicing this by seeking mentorship in future roles and continuing to reflect on how to transfer what I learn in class into hands-on settings.

The internship has significantly enhanced my understanding of my coursework by allowing me to apply theoretical concepts in a practical setting. Working on research related to autism diagnosis and intervention has deepened my knowledge of medical databases and research methodologies, making the connections between my studies and real-world applications much clearer.