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Below are some of the internship goals I hope to achieve by the end of the first year of my time working with LHSI. Since I am working in a research office, most of these goals relate directly to what I can learn and achieve in that setting.
I chose these goals because, in order to be a good physician, it is important to understand more than medical terminology. I need to be a sympathetic caretaker and I need to be able to reach out to a network of other professionals if I don't have the answers my patients are looking for. I also need to be aware of how to handle the information that I gather on a patient so it is not misused.
I want to become more familiar with clinical research, safe management of research data and health information, and how to handle patient information.
I will work with research data and learn about data safety and management of PHI under the supervision of the study PI and research coordinator. One of my specific roles is data entry and assistance with the management of data.
I will take a webinar or complete CITI modules on data safety during my internship.
My current background: I have taken CITI courses and had HIPAA training for this internship as well as Project STEM/SEED. This is something that must be continually kept up with.
2. I want to increase my knowledge about autism in young children.
I will do so by attending lab presentations and other webinars about the clinical presentation of autism.
My current background: I have done so through the site visits during this internship and hope to continue to do so. I also personally know individuals with ASD which has allowed me to have firsthand experience with the challenges faced by children with this neurodevelopmental disorder.
3. I want to build connections in the IU School of Medicine, where I hope to eventually attend.
I will do this by working with my team, attending meetings, and interacting with IUSOM faculty and staff in order to develop a deeper understanding of the various roles of research team members.
My current background: I have been able to do so through this internship as well as Project STEM/SEED. I have also done so through some of my classes and club activities at IUPUI.
Here are my top long-term three career goals. I originally wanted to work in pediatric medicine and neurological research, which required medical school. However, after shadowing a doctor in that position through my LHSI cite, I now feel that this may not be the path for me. I am now looking into different Ph.D. requirements and programs to see what is available as well as applying for different lab jobs.
As I stated in my About Me section, I want to go into areas predominantly studying the brain. In order to do that, I not only need to understand the science behind neurons and different parts of the brain but other areas of STEM as well. Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field, drawing from not only biology and psychology but also chemistry, physics, statistics, etc. Furthermore, being a researcher requires more than just scientific knowledge. It requires communicating with patients and coworkers and other life skills. Therefore, I need to keep multiple skillsets in mind in order to achieve my overarching goal.
I want to be a well-rounded STEM major in my undergrad career.
In order to do this, I need to not only do well academically but also...
be in leadership positions
gain experience through internships and hands-on activities
complete at least one minor
join extracurriculars that I am passionate about
My current background: I plan to be a TA in the spring semester of 2022. In this position, I will be teaching students a course I have already taken. I have to prepare weekly lesson plans to help the students study for their exams. It is important that I keep my class engaged and encourage them to attend my recitation and lecture.
I have completed internships already (see the About Me section) and some hands-on workshops. However, this is something I want to do continually and as often as possible to gain as many resources as possible before I go to medical school.
I am in the middle of completing my French minor. I am also thinking of adding a Chemistry minor.
I am currently in a singing group at IUPUI. I have also participated in intramural volleyball, my freshman dorms counsel, and the neuroscience club. While these may not seem as important as the other goals, fostering hobbies outside of a career are important to maintaining a good work-life balance.
2. I want to learn at least one major thing from each course I take.
This will require me to analyze and understand not only the course material but aspects of classes that could help me in my daily life (e.g. how to study)
My current background: I try to do this in every class. For example, in my Cognition class last semester, I was able to learn how to alter my study habits based on how the brain works!
3. I want to do clinical research.
complete my undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.6+ and gain lab experience
complete a Ph.D.
familiarize myself with my preferred fields (pediatrics, neuroscience, and neuropsychology)
My current background: I currently have maintained that GPA. I plan to study for the MCAT starting in the summer of 2022.
I have been applying for different lab jobs. I have also been looking into clinical neuropsychology Ph.D. programs in the U.S.
I have shadowed a cardiovascular surgeon, an otolaryngologist, and an optometrist and now because of this program, I can add shadowing a pediatric neurologist to the list.