A Smooth Sea Never Made for a Skillful Sailor

This past week, I have learned numerous things such as how to find mentors online, what is proper professional dress and what isn’t, creating a resume draft, and more. Currently, I do not have many questions, but I am sure as the course challenges me even further, I will gain a deeper understanding of the tasks at hand.

Likewise, an obstacle I faced was when finding my 25 contacts. I was stuck at 20 contacts and I wasn’t sure how to find anymore people. Eventually, I looked into some people my dad knew and wrote them down as a contact, so that was an obstacle that was easily overcome. When an obstacle is encountered, I will be sure to manage it as professionally and calmly as I can. There will most likely be numerous times in the future where a mentor interview may not go as well as expected or the amount of work may feel overwhelming, but that is completely normal and staying calm is what will keep me going.

This week, I was successful in finding 25 contacts along with their information, writing my second blog post, working on my resume, and writing my second research assessment. Additionally, I practiced cold-calling in order to gain a better understanding of how to talk to professionals. I have acknowledged that all of these accomplishments will be crucial in order to get to my final goal for ISM. Additionally, it is essential that I take away the proper amount of information to enhance my learning even further. ISM is a program where we will be working with professionals and in order to do that I need to have a better understand of the jargon and professional techniques. That is something that I focused on immensely in my most recent research assessment.

Next week, I definitely need to work on time management and utilizing my time in class to benefit me the most. An overwhelming amount of work is something that should be avoided at all costs unless I just have not been managing my time wisely. I also need to practice cold-calling in order to get ready for when I practice calling actual professionals.

Lastly, specific opportunities and experiences I desire to have in ISM are learning how to put patients at ease and figuring out the day-to-day involvement of a pediatrician. Observing what a pediatrician has to deal with and what type of patients come through his/her door is something I would be grateful to examine. I want to learn how to make a connection with a patient and also, learn how to soothe their pain. Pediatricians have to say and do certain things that the patient may not enjoy and I want to learn how to make the patient always feel comfortable.

Additionally, I would like to experience how pediatricians handle infants and toddlers to make them feel safe and how they occupy them during painful activities. Lastly, how the pediatrician diagnoses symptoms is something that I would be exceedingly grateful to observe/participate in because that is something which is so crucial towards the patient and could be a life or death situation.

In conclusion, I feel as if I am learning a great deal about how to carry myself in a professional manner throughout this program and when I go on interviews. Overall, I hope to continue to acquire information and hope to continue gaining knowledge about my profession through research assessments and professionals.