CAREER/PROFESSIONAL GOALS
CAREER/PROFESSIONAL GOALS
Pursuing the PA route, specializations in Pediatrics Hematology and Oncology
Researching health outcomes for minoritized patients
Gain Patient Care Hours
Work in a Medical Office as a Receptionist for the medical experience
Originally, I was a Biology Pre-Med student. After conducting research and having more of the college experience, I have decided to take a PA/Research route. This internship has peaked an interest of researching health outcomes for patients and finding measurements to improve. Additionally, I decided to change to PA for time and financial commitment purposes.
I have officially decided to commit to a PA program after undergrad. Being in my internship has made me realize the passion I have for researching but more so the passion in clinical work. Before I came into my internship, I was undecided on the type of specialization I was interested in. I love the work in Hematology and Oncology, especially in younger children! My internship has allowed me to discover the passion I have for blood related disorders and cancers, I will be pursuing future opportunities related to Hematology and Oncology. I am still interested in pursuing a PhD program after I recieve my masters in PA studies. Alongside with working with patients, I also want to evaluate the current reviews and studies on blood disorders such as Sickle Cell Disease.
ACADEMIC GOALS
Graduate with my Bachelors of Arts in Biology by 2027
Maintain and Improve GPA
Gain better studying habit skills
Being in an internship has required a lot more time commitments, meaning that I am not able to spend as much time to commit to long study sessions. Instead, I have to implement effective studying habits that can help me retain information to help me do good on exams. My goal is to find better studying habit skills so that I am not spending as much time studying but can retain information more. Additionally, maintaining and improving my GPA is so important to me whenever I begin applying to master program--I know there are GPA requirements, especially if I want a scholarship!
I have dedicated myself to be more proactive in my studying habits in my academic courses. In the past, I have focused primarily into wanting to raise my GPA and generally do good in my courses. I have realized that how I study is more significant than getting good grades. This academic goal will help set me up for success as I move into my post-graduate studies and studying well will help me succeed. I am balancing my courses out more with taking an equal amount of harder classes and easier classes. I have learned with working with my team that I am on my own path and that it is OK to be a little bit behind--just as long as I finish!
PERSONAL GOALS
Practice gratitude
Prioritize mental health
Improve growth mindset
I have decided to take prioritization of these goals. Being in an internship can be draining especially on top of being a student, I want to take care of my mental health so that my body is not fully overwhelmed. I have learned that taking mental break days are important, I have adopted the mindset of doing all of my work and internship expectations during the weekday. So that during weekends, I can relax and do the bare minimum studying and preparation if needed.
SMART GOALS I HAD BEFORE INTERNSHIP
Explore medicine as a pre-medical student
attending Medical School at IUSM
Interested in Dermatology, Cosmetic Surgery, and OB/GYN
Becoming a DEAP Peer Mentor
Being more involved on campus
Gain Clinical Experiences
SMART GOALS I HAVE AFTER INTERNSHIP:
Make a list of PA master programs I am interested in, especially on the West Coast
Pursuing Hematology and Oncology clinical specialization
Eventually attend a PhD program in Cancer Biology
Keep being a DEAP Peer Mentor/OTEAM
Be involved on campus, but balance it out well
Still gain more clinical hours and experiences, especially with other PA's
My goals have changed a lot completely from when I was applying to LHSI, I was interested primarily in clinical and going for medicine at my dream school IUSM. Now, I am interested in being a PA with a primary focus in researching health outcomes in patients (i.e., what I do now as an intern). I have been able to learn more about using applications such as RedCap and Cerner through my internship. Additionally, I have been able to become a peer mentor for DEAP and gain clinical experiences.
This summer, my priority is on getting more serious with my post-graduate plans. I will be a junior next year. I am creating a list of PA/PhD programs I am interested in, Gaining clinical experiences by becoming a medical scribe, and prepare for the PANCE exam.
Skills I want to work on:
Teamwork: Most times, I just go ahead and do all the work, which is not fair on my end! I need to be more proactive still when it comes to making sure that everyone does their part and not one specific person is doing everything
Confronting Challenges: When it comes to challenges, I can get overwhelmed easily so I need to learn how to confront challenges and not give myself anxiety
Skills I have improved:
Communication: I have been in situations this year where sometimes I was not able to make deadlines, I have done an excellent job communicating to my supervisors if a problem arises
Problem Solving: Accessing Cerner was hard due to all of the verification, but I was not afraid to get the help needed and I was able to access it
Constructive Criticism: I can take constructive criticism easily because I am always looking for ways to improve