Goal #1: Learning more about professional research

Tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities I intend to do in order to meet this goal include the following:

1. Attending and participating in lab meetings will help me see how professional research is conducted, from each step in the process (beginning of the study all the way to publication)

2. Helping with the SLUMBER study will allow me to actively participate in conducting research

3. I will also review past research completed by the lab by reviewing grant applications, published articles, abstracts, and conference posters

Progress: This is something I have definitely achieved, especially in regard to what goes into the beginning phases of research. I have been able to assist throughout the pilot and launch phases of our study and review previous documents pertaining to the study that have given me insight into what professional research consists of. Next steps in continuing to expand on this goal include learning more about the later steps of research considering the study is still in its earlier stages at this point in time.

Goal #2: Conduct personal interviews in a systematic, professional way

Tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities I intend to do in order to meet this goal include the following:

1. I am going to help with pilot interviews with Black moms of infants

2. I am going to help with focus groups with Black moms of infants

3. I will read IRB protocol documents to prepare for these interactions

Progress: This goal was one that I found to be really interesting to reflect back on because of how I ended up being involved in the interview process in a much different way than I had initially anticipated. I have successfully read protocol documents to familiarize myself with the parameters to conducting an interview, but rather than being involved in the conduction of the interviews themselves, I have been involved in the process in terms of revising transcripts of the interview videos and summarizing them both in document form and verbally during team meetings which has certainly been a learning curve that I feel I am becoming more familiar with now that I have had the chance to do it several times. In the future, my progression as far as this goal may look like becoming more efficient and accurate with revising transcripts, or potentially even conducting an interview down the line. 

Goal #3: Develop proficiency with different research programs (e.g., Redcap, excel, Microsoft teams, Nvivo, SPSS)

Tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities I intend to do in order to meet this goal include the following:

1. We always use Microsoft teams for lab meetings and for logging my hours and my notes about my accomplished tasks

2. I will be using RedCap for the Slumber study

3. I may use Nvivo and SPSS by the end of the LHSI intern year

Progress: I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about two of our most frequently used research programs, Microsoft teams and otter.io. I have tried to use these applications whenever possible in order to become more proficient at using them, and speaking with my supervisor about how to take this to the next step by becoming less strict with how I use these applications, such as utilizing Teams to record any notes or thoughts that I have regarding the work that I do on the study, is a goal that I hope to reach next. I also want to utilize more research programs and becoming familiar with those as well which I will have the chance to do once the study progresses and different programs begin to better suit the needs of where we are, with RedCap being one that I am starting to now be introduced to in more depth and have begun to use much more frequently in as recent as the past few months.

My current career/academic goals are to go into medical school following my undergraduate and pursue a career in the pediatric field. These are goals of mine because I love children and a career where I could work with them while supporting those in need is one that I would find fulfillment in. This is a career option I feel sure of due to the experience I have had relating to  it through both the material in my courses and outside of them reinforcing my passion for an occupation in medicine. I hope to gain more experience in clinical settings to further determine if my goals align with my strengths and preferences. Aside from keeping up with my coursework, tasks that I can work towards within this month to achieve my career goal involve participating in more diverse volunteer opportunities than those I have been in the past. 

By the end of the spring semester I hope to have found several places to volunteer at and become involved in. This summer I hope to take several courses to fulfill my medicine pre-requisite requirements and continue to work with my site and contribute to the study we have been working on throughout the year. By this time next year I hope to have found a medical setting such as a hospital or clinic for example to be regularly working in.  Within the next several semester, things that I need to do include the completion of my remaining pre-requisites, preparing for the MCAT, and completing a capstone. I feel that my internship has confirmed my career goals in that it has reaffirmed my desire to work in a field where I am contributing to the wellbeing of others and actively making a positive impact in some capacity. That has always something that I have known I have wanted any line of work I go into to revolve around and this experience has certainly cemented that being something I really value. 

In terms of my career planning journey I feel that the members of my internship team and supervisors have opened my eyes to different opportunities, such as local and regional conferences, that would allow me to gain experience relevant to my career goals and I don't think I would have been made aware of otherwise which is something that I have really appreciated gaining insight on. Overall, I feel relatively confident in using my self-knowledge and preferences to make career-related decisions in that I know what values and work environments I would be most fulfilled having my future career align with, but I feel that I am still at a point where I would like to get more experience working and volunteering in new environments and different fields in order for my confidence in this area to be stronger.