1.) Learn to be more independent and confident in my own work.
To reach this goal I will practice the learned techniques regularly as I repeat the experiment (3 times a week), I will keep a laboratory book with my information and results organized, and I will prepare my LHSI presentation at the end of the year with the full extent of my knowledge in confidence.
So far, I have completed my first semester of my LHSI Internship and I have gained the autonomy I wanted! I do everything on my own and have a key to the lab. Me and my lab partner curate all the data that our PI uses and we have pretty major roles.
2.) Learn to analyze scientific information/findings and present them.
To meet this goal I will keep my data in a spreadsheet and graph/calculate necessary information. I will also meet with Dr. Mendonca to discuss the meaning behind my results and gain a more intricate understanding of the science we are doing. Lastly, I will read scholarly articles to better present my findings in a professional manner.
I'm still in the process of learning how to analyze and present the data I collect. I think I will perfect this skill by the end of my internship when I participate in the showcase.
3.) Finalize my career plans and find a stronger sense of passion and excitement for science.
To fulfill this last goal I will discuss my career plans with Helen and Mendonca regularly. I will read exciting research nonfiction books and articles to further my understanding of science. I will also work hard in my normal college courses to gain more scientific knowledge and use it to better my experience at lab.
I am still trying to finalizing my career plans. I'm still in the process of shadowing physicians and researchers in hopes that I can figure things out.
My career goal is to ultimately become a physician scientist. I have a strong love for science as well as healthcare. I discovered my interest for science in college whereas I've always known I wanted to work in healthcare since high school. Although I wanted to do healthcare for longer; I didn't want to give up my newfound passion for science so I decided to pursue both.
I am sure of this career option. It combines the two things I love most. I want to pursue a career in things I have a genuine interest in so that I can say I lived a fulfilling life. I am testing the science portion of my career goals through this internship. I am currently seeing if I have what it takes to have a career in science.
I think what gives me energy is learning new interesting things within my field of study. I typically lose motivation when studying things I'm not so interested in. I know all of it is necessary to get to where I want but I do seem to have preferences. For example, in my internship, learning what all the components of what i’m using are and/or interpreting what my results mean are super fun. When I do something like dilutions though, it tends to get repetitive and sometimes gets draining when I have to stay in the lab for 6 hours and do it multiple times.
My values in the workplace are to have friendly teammates, enjoy my day-to-day work, and have a good work-life balance. This last point is most important to me because I feel like now as an undergraduate I don’t have that balance at all. I am constantly working, in-school, doing extracurriculars, or volunteering. I don’t have much time to engage in hobbies or do things I'd define as “fun”.
As of right now I’ve been working towards perfecting my medical school application. Before I get ahead of myself though, I need to get through this semester which is one manageable step I can take toward my goal. One thing I need to start tackling soon is my MCAT studying. I am already a junior and I plan on taking it either later this year or early next year. I need to formulate a schedule and begin studying for it. This time next year I hope to be applying for medical schools. :)
Over the summer I honestly want to rest and recuperate. The most i'd do is maybe take one summer class. I am currently in a very challenging semester taking immunology, 3 labs, organic chem, participating in my internship, and working part time. I am definitely going to need the break when it comes around. Next year; however, I do want to get involved in another internship on campus. I will apply for programs and/or email mentors on campus to sponsor some sort of intern position.
My internship hasn't done much to change my goals. I am still really interested in working in a research lab in the future and plan on it. I feel confident in my self-knowledge and preferences to make career-related decisions. Through this lab I was able to confirm my career goal of being a researcher which has been incredible. I feel confident in that choice now.