Introduction
Within the classroom, I have experienced many courses that have broadened my understanding on myself and what I would like to do with my future, including biology classes, chemistry classes, and labs. However, the most impactful and helpful class has been University 101. This class taught me valuable life skills, including how to navigate college, build connections, and take advantage of the resources available to me. These skills are ones that I will continue to use throughout my educational career and beyond.
Beyond the classroom, I have had the opportunity to serve as a Medical Writing Intern with MDOLs, LLC, a position I will continue throughout the year, collaborating with organizations including Illuminate Health and AstraZeneca. This experience has allowed me to explore the intersection of science, medicine, and communication while developing professional skills that I can carry with me into my future career. Together, my experiences within and beyond the classroom have helped me better understand my interests and have given me opportunities to apply what I have learned in college to real-world settings.
Within the classroom
During my first two semesters at USC, I was able to explore so many opportunities through my course work. My studies have strengthened the scientific reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills essential for a future career in medicine. Through my biology and chemistry courses, I have been able to develop a stronger understanding of the sciences while also learning how to apply concepts through laboratory experiences.
However, University 101 have been the most impactful because it provided me with not only academic knowledge but also life skills. The course helped me learn how to navigate college, manage my time, set goals, and take advantage of the resources available to me at USC. It also encouraged me to think about my strengths, interests, and goals beyond college.
One of the biggest takeaways from University 101 was learning that being successful in college involves more than just earning good grades. It also means building relationships, getting involved, asking for help, and taking advantage of opportunities. These lessons have influenced how I approach my education and have encouraged me to become more involved both inside and outside of the classroom.
Beyond the classroom
I am currently serving as a Medical Writing Intern with MDOLs, LLC, a position I will continue throughout the year, collaborating with organizations including Illuminate Health and AstraZeneca. I pursued this opportunity because I wanted to gain experience outside of the traditional classroom and learn more about how scientific research is communicated and applied in a professional setting.
In this role, I support the planning and execution of the Epithelial Cytokine Investigator’s Forum by coordinating faculty outreach, managing speaker communications, tracking meeting logistics and content, organizing presentation materials, and assisting with meeting preparation and post-meeting follow-up. Through this experience, I have had the opportunity to communicate with medical professionals and researchers while gaining a better understanding of the work that goes into organizing a scientific meeting.
This experience has strengthened my organizational, communication, and professional collaboration skills while providing valuable insight into the coordination of scientific meetings and the dissemination of biomedical research. One of my biggest takeaways has been learning how many different people and details are involved in bringing a scientific meeting together. I have also learned the importance of being organized, communicating effectively, and being willing to take initiative when working in a professional environment.
Connections
My experiences within and beyond the classroom have helped me see how the knowledge and skills I develop as a student can be applied to real-world settings. Through my biology and chemistry courses, I have developed a stronger foundation in the sciences and learned how to think critically, analyze information, and solve problems. My experience as a Medical Writing Intern has allowed me to see how these skills are used outside of the classroom in the biomedical field.
Working on the Epithelial Cytokine Investigators’ Forum has given me the opportunity to interact with researchers and medical professionals and learn more about how scientific research is communicated. While my coursework has taught me the scientific concepts behind biomedical research, my internship has shown me the collaboration, organization, and communication that are necessary to share that research with others. Seeing this process firsthand has given me a greater appreciation for the work that goes into advancing medical knowledge.
My experiences have also helped me better understand my own career goals. As a Neuroscience major on the pre-medical track, I am interested in pursuing a career in medicine, and my coursework has strengthened my interest in the science behind medicine. At the same time, my internship has shown me the importance of communication and collaboration within the medical and scientific communities. Together, these experiences have helped me understand that a career in medicine requires more than scientific knowledge. It also requires strong communication skills, teamwork, organization, and the ability to connect scientific information to the people it can ultimately help.
Overall, my experiences within and beyond the classroom have complemented each other and helped me grow as both a student and a future healthcare professional. What I have learned in the classroom has given me a foundation for understanding my internship experience, while my internship has allowed me to see the real-world importance of what I am learning at USC.
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