One of my goals is to have challenging and thought-provoking experiences and to accomplish things that I am typically too hesitant to undertake on my own. I'm typically self-conscious and question my knowledge even if I know how to perform a specific task. I'd like to feel more confident and assured that I know what I'm doing, as well as to practice skills taught in the lab and grow more comfortable with them. I can do this by continuing to ask questions only if I am truly unsure about anything. I'll work on basic abilities in the lab before moving on to more difficult tasks. I'm going to push myself to be more open to acquiring new skills, even if they scare me, such as working with mice for the first time.
I'd also like to be able to expand on my previous lab experiences by learning new techniques and processes. I want to be able to perform these things on my own and also explain the processes and why they are necessary to others. I can do this by repeating a method until I've mastered it and then build on top of that. I'll start with the basics, such as purifying antibodies, then work my way up to western blotting and other techniques. I'll take notes and go over them again to help me lead myself and accomplish things on my own that I've been taught.
I also want to obtain experience in the sector of collaboration and professionalism. I can achieve this by connecting with and working with my peers in the lab to assist each other out and do our parts to make the lab run more smoothly. I may ask them about their perspectives on the work environment and obtain a better understanding of how the medical research industry operates and whether it is something I want to pursue further.
My current academic/career goals are to graduate in 2024 with a Bachelor's in biology and minor in psychology. I want to continue in the medical route and apply to Indiana University School of Medicine. I hope to specialize in pediatrics, while still exploring different areas of study. I have had this aspiration since I was in the 6th grade and I believe it started because I used to watch a documentary on how a doctor's day looks like and immediately became intrigued at the medical realm at a young age. At a certain point in my life, I had a medical incident occur that left my tongue partially paralyzed; not being able to speak or eat. I went to multiple hospitals and was turned away often and sent home without any help or empathy. However, I visited a doctor and her staff as my last resort and if it weren't for them, I wouldn't have gotten the help I needed. The amount of compassion and attention they provided me left me astounded. Till this day, I aspire to be like that group of medical professionals; not giving up on a patient and supplying the best care possible.
Because of my past experiences and my love for providing help to those in need, I am sure I want to go into this field of work. I have had a good glimpse of what this job holds by working in a hospital with COVID and Med/Surg patients. My job as a patient care technician has been the most influential experience thus far for me deciding on my career, and I continue to learn from it and engage in tasks that help me experience the medical field. I will continue to explore this pathway by enrolling in the pre-medical club at IUPUI, as well as volunteering in the clinic to get more experience. I will also be going on a medical mission trip this Spring overseas and will further my basic medical knowledge.