My Life Of Becoming A Doctor

My interest in medicine first stemmed from my freshman Biology class and my Nutrition class. I was intrigued by our studies of cells, genetics, and disease. Both courses incited a sense of awe and curiosity within me. Dissecting a frog, was the stepping-stone for my interest in medicine. Seeing the frog's heart made me wonder how the human heart worked. My research into the human heart inspired me to learn more about the medical field. I sought out volunteer opportunities that would give me insight into a doctor’s typical day. During my volunteer experience, I learned that as a doctor you experience many obstacles, including patient compliance and insurance approval issues. In my journey to pursue medicine, I learned that becoming a doctor means more than helping people, it means being the team leader, being compassionate, and most importantly being committed to the patient’s well being.

At the age of ten, I read a book, “Gifted Hands” by Dr. Ben Carson, which inspired and begin to motivate my interest in pursuing medicine as a career because I could identify with his discovery of the joy of reading and his fascination with science. When I was 14, I had an epiphany at the doctor’s office. This event occurred a little after I had finished my final exams in school and the next step was to go to senior high school. But, I thought the preliminary chemistry and physics classes of junior high school were daunting and went on to convince myself that a career in medicine might not be right for me.

The medical field is a career path that brings about many options and opportunities of great value. The noble idea of being a doctor tends to cloud the diligent studying and precise training that is actually required for this career. I have wanted to become a doctor since a very young age, and now that the opportunity is here for the taking, I have fully researched what it takes to succeed in this profession and various specialties of the practice. The road to a medical degree is one filled with thousands of notes, years of schooling, and many stressful nights, but the reward is one incomparable to any other. Saving people’s lives on a day-to-day basis has been one of my dreams for as long as I can remember, so the rigorous curriculum

My decision to pursue a career as a physician was not a blinding revelation, being the daughter of two immigrant parents the thought of becoming a physician seemed distant. In high school I pursued to obtain what for me was then the highest education I perceived I would be able to achieve which was going to college and obtaining a bachelor’s degree. As the quote by Ralph Ellison highlights, “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free”. This quote resonates with the start of my second year in college, as I have been able to find my passion for medicine. More specifically, I explored my values and how I wanted to shape my future. I reflected upon the encounters and dramatic effects that physicians have had with my own family. The most impactful

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” As a child, we have all been asked this question; and as unrealistic children, we all had dreams of being a superhero, princess, cowboy, or astronaut. Later on in life, as time went by, and as we became more knowledgeable, our answers became more serious. Some of us wanted to be teachers, business owners, or a veterinarian. However, I have always wanted to be a doctor, but not just any doctor. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a pediatrician. Now, half way through my junior year in high school, I have started to question the details of this career, and all the hard work it takes to become a part of the medical field.

Six years ago, my life was changed forever. It was the summer leading into the sixth grade, and my mom asked me if I would like to help at a summer camp for special needs people. Honestly, I knew that I would be working at this camp no matter what my answer might have been. As I anticipated the first day of the week long event, I grew anxious; I was frightened by the unknown. Even though I've lived with someone with disabilities my whole life, my ten year old mind had no clue what the campers themselves be like. Despite my fears, this short five day week was one I would never forget.

The process to become a doctor is one of the longest professional journeys. However, my experience at M. D. Anderson showed me how important and rewarding it will be in the end. I have a more in depth understanding of the purpose of being a doctor. It is not a flashy title nor a path for a secure job; being a physician is a key way to benefit another person’s life. Ultimately, my life goal is to help those around me and make a positive difference in their lives. Through biological sciences, I know I can impact the lives of current and future generations to

Dr. Nelson, the general practitioner for whom I volunteered for two and a half years, had always told me that the desire to become a doctor must come from deep within. In his office, I took patients’ vital signs and helped them feel more comfortable. I also spent a significant amount of time with Dr. Nelson learning about the physician’s role. He became my mentor. I learned of

Two decades and many existential crises later, one single aspect of my life has pulled me through: that passion I experienced as a child. I have questioned the source of this motivation more than once, and have sought out to put myself in all possible situations that would predict how I would feel later in my life as a doctor to make sure this passion was not mere infatuation.

As a child, my one desire was to become a pediatrician. Every time I went for a regular checkup at the doctor’s office, I enjoyed playing and watching cartoons in the waiting room, and getting stickers and toys afterward for being well behaved. My pediatrician, Dr. Victor Lui, was a huge inspiration to me, mostly in his way of treating children. He always carried a pleasant attitude to care for every child. The way he always knew how to treat me and the fact that he always joked around with me left me with a huge desire to become a part of the medical field, particularly pediatrics.

Sometimes I wonder what I would do if I decided to be something other than a doctor. My imagination has been plagued with thoughts of my future since I’ve been born. I was a small unsuspecting little girl. Who could have conjured the thought that I’d be pursuing medicine?

Every year in my elementary school, I was asked what I wanted to become when I “grew up.” Portrayals of doctors were an easy find and I remember telling my parents and teachers that one day, I was going to be a doctor. As I prepare to start my family nurse practitioner school, I am overjoyed to tell my family and friends that I am finally on the road to becoming a primary health care provider. I remember always wanting to be in the health care field but never fully knew what that entailed. I graduated high school with the intention to become a nurse and I was naïve to think that I was prepared for what was in store.

The internship brought extraordinary challenges and unexpected emotions, as it was a grief camp for young children who had lost a loved one. The children learned to deal with anxieties through sports, crafts, and other adventures, while we supported them in any way they needed. With grief, having supportive relationships is crucial, whether that be within the family, friends, or other figures. I’ve also been working with a teenage girl on the autism spectrum. Together, we worked on social cues, appropriate behaviors, and learned to effectively communicate with others. I challenged her focus and skills by encouraging and implementing musical instruments, reading sessions, writing activities, and assisting with academic work. The past two years have tested my patience and changed my outlook on autism.

Since early childhood, I always believed I would choose a career in the medical field. When I was five years old, I was asked: “What do you want to be when you grow up”? I always responded by saying: “I want to become a dentist”. I began to pursue my lifelong goal of becoming a dentist or doctor after enrolling at the University of Georgia majoring in biology. I interviewed and shadowed many doctors, all of whom specialized in different areas. I learned about the education process of becoming a doctor, daily tasks, their lifestyle, and the hours they worked. However, the more time I spent shadowing and working with people in those fields; the less I believed that a career as a

I have taken stock of myself, considering my skills, experiences, and goals. I have looked to family and friends, some of whom are doctors, for advice. Because of this self-examination, I have decided to pursue a career in health care. The process has been difficult at times but always illuminating. Throughout it all, I have never lost confidence - the confidence that I will actively absorb all available medical knowledge, forge friendships with fellow students, and emerge from my training as a skilful and caring physician.