Career Exploration

Ever since I have joined the Biomedical Academy at Dublin High School, I have gotten new opportunities to get exposed to different medical specialties and fields. I have also been able to receive insight from current medical processionals through this program. Most of these opportunities have been online so far, but I will work towards finding and attending more in person events to further my understandings of different medical fields and professions.

The first and most impactful seminar I attended was presented by a surgical pathologist who went through the process on how to become someone in her field specifically in high-school. She explained that you needed to take a stem focused course load leading towards biology and want to be a well rounded student with many volunteering events and internship events in your resume. This motivated my to take more advanced classes and think about what classes I should take in the future like AP Biology and AP Chemistry. She also explained that in the research side of medicine, you don't get as much appreciation from patients as only their information are sent to you and they never actually interact with you, so you could feel isolated in the workplace. This broadened my horizons and I was surprised about how many careers their were relating to medical research such as pathology, clinical science, and pharmacology.

One memorable field trip was to the ZEISS office in Dublin, where I learned about the role of advanced imaging and optical technology in medicine and research. Meeting professionals who worked on precision instruments showed me how innovation in engineering directly supports diagnostics, surgery, and laboratory analysis. Seeing how interdisciplinary teams collaborated reinforced the importance of accuracy, problem-solving, and continuous improvement in biomedical fields. 

I also listened to many guest speakers while in the academy, Laurken and Emily spoke about autism awareness and advocacy, emphasizing the importance of understanding neurodiversity in both educational and healthcare settings. Their presentation challenged me to think about how medical professionals must tailor communication and care to individual needs. I was inspired by their focus on inclusion and their reminder that effective healthcare begins with listening and respect. Aarthi Muthukumar, a Biomedical Academy alumna, shared her journey of earning three degrees and navigating the medical school application process. Her talk was especially impactful because she openly discussed the discipline, setbacks, and long-term commitment required to pursue medicine. Seeing someone from my own program succeed showed me that persistence and careful planning can make ambitious goals attainable. Baldemar Motomochi discussed his pathway into pre-med at UC Merced, highlighting the importance of resilience and adaptability. His story reinforced that there is no single route into medicine and that growth often comes from embracing challenges rather than avoiding them. Similarly, Jeetu Sujith spoke about his experiences pursuing pre-med at UC Davis, offering practical advice on balancing academics, extracurriculars, and self-care. His emphasis on time management and staying grounded resonated with me as I prepare for the demands of higher education. Together, these speakers broadened my perspective on healthcare careers.

The most impactful experience, however, was my internship at a local dental practice. In this clinical setting, I gained firsthand exposure to patient care and healthcare workflow. I assisted with patient intake, managed files, sterilized instruments, and shadowed procedures, observing how scientific knowledge guides clinical decisions. Beyond technical tasks, I developed strong communication skills by interacting with patients, helping ease anxiety, and supporting the dental team during busy schedules. This experience taught me professionalism, accountability, and the importance of empathy in healthcare. I learned that effective patient care depends not only on technical expertise, but also on trust, clarity, and teamwork. In addition, I participated in HOSA State Leadership Conference (SLC) competitions, where I competed in Occupational Health and Safety. Preparing for this event strengthened my understanding of workplace safety standards and health regulations, while also developing my time management, study discipline, and test-taking skills. Competing at the state level reinforced my interest in healthcare-related fields and challenged me to apply knowledge under pressure. Together, these experiences helped me connect classroom learning to real-world applications, build professional skills, and clarify my interest in pursuing a career in biomedical and clinical sciences.