Where did you attend/or currently are attending school? (high school, university, etc)
Eleva-Strum High School
What would you like to do in healthcare?
Area of healthcare: My main objective that I want to pursue is to make a difference in my patients' life. I love to make people happy and seeing others smile and achieve makes me feel worthy. I believe I would really enjoy practicing as an orthopedic surgeon or a PA in that field. That's where I am at right now but it'll probably change down the road. As long as I am helping people, I know I will be happy with whatever path I choose.
College: Currently I am planning on attending Viterbo University in Lacrosse in the fall of 2016, majoring in Pre-Med or Pre-PA. After that, I am not picky with what graduate or doctorate program I would go into. Since it's so competitive I would be overjoyed to be accepted to any. My ultimate goal would be UW-L for PA school or the Medical School in Madison.
What was your first AHEC experience?
Northern Health Careers Camp, June 2015
What was your favorite or most useful experience from the health careers camp?
My favorite experience at AHEC camp was job shadowing the doctors. When I came into this camp I thought I wanted to be a PT, but job shadowing showed it wasn't for me because of the slow pace atmosphere. It opened my eyes to new things. I also loved hearing other people's stories on what profession they want to purse and their reasoning. It was awesome spending time with people just like me that strive to obtain a degree in the medical field.
What advice would you give to younger students starting to navigate their future in a health care career?
My advice to anyone even considering about going into the medical field is to get involved & explore your options! Don't wait for everything to be handed to you because it won't happen in medicine. If you really want to be successful, you must go out and grab it. For me, none of my family is in the medical field and so I had to go find opportunities that I didn't even know existed. There are so many people out there willing to help you, you just have to ask for it! After I attended this a awesome camp, I got accepted into a Medical Experience Program through Mayo Clinic where I have 8 different 4 hour shadowing opportunities with all kinds of physicians. It has opened my eyes to so many different professions. Additionally, I am obtaining my CNA license, and I volunteer at Mayo Clinic.
Also, try to connect your passions, interests and experiences with a career. Don't choose the job for the status, income or because it's the easy way out. Do it because it'll be something you look forward to doing everyday, and something you can relate to or challenges you. For me, I tore my ACL, and my medial & lateral meniscus in basketball so I was exposed to orthopedics, sports medicine and PT for a long time, and still am. After my surgery I grew a love for watching my knee prosper and become stronger each day. That's what I want to give to my patients: the hope and courage to overcome obstacles just like I did. I can't wait to someday feel accomplished and fulfilled because I made it possible for someone to recover and become stronger than they started.