Which skill(s) on the survey are you using so far or where are you more confident already? Give examples of how you're using the skill or how you know you're growing.
A skill that I have been using on the survey is confronting and challenging failure. Being the only intern at my internship site, I tend to work on tasks alone. However, I am surrounded by other colleagues who work on other projects but are in the same department. I knew I've grown because in the beginning of my internship I was intimidated to make mistakes on these important tasks. I've always been so used to someone guiding me and overseeing me in past experiences, so this was something unique. I like the independence of completing tasks alone and presenting them when I'm done rather than have my supervisor look at every step in the process. Recently, I had to present one of my literature reviews to my supervisor and he told me that I did an overall good job there are alot of corrections to be done before submission of my work. I was happy to be corrected because my final submission was applauded by the leading physician in our department. I feel like failure is an obstacle that helps you get to beyond where you wanted to be.
Which skill(s) from the survey would you like to continue to work on? What will you do to grow the skill(s)?
Skills from the survey I'd like to work on is integrating and application. Thankfully, I have gone on several patient visits since last semester and have learned alot. I still want to work on this because I feel like no amount of experience is enough and that there is always room to learn because every patient has a different story. To continue the growth of these skills, I want to have more patient interactive experiences.
How are you using and/or building on your existing strengths or experiences so far as an intern?
I already had exceptional communication skills, but as an intern I have been further building on to this strength. I communicate as a team member in our bi-weekly team meetings, and I also communicate to my supervisor when instructions on a task are not clear.
How has the internship helped you gain a deeper understanding of your coursework or major?
As a health science student on the pre-physician's assistant (PA) track , research is an important part of my coursework. In fact, it makes up my whole senior year. I believe as a current junior this is an amazing experience to allow me to have a deeper understanding of research and its applications toward health and rehabilitation clinical practice. I can further use this internship's research techniques beyond undergraduate education and in my PA career as well.