1. Why did you select this individual to interview?

I selected the graduate student from my lab, Sara Sabihi to interview. I did this because although I have talked to several physicians and health care staff about their career, I wanted to get insight from someone in a different field, academia. I feel it is important to explore all of the options available in order to make an informed decision.

2. Describe the major responsibilities associated with their current role.

Sara has many responsibilities as a graduate student and she was able to provide me with a lot of information about what it is truly like to be a graduate student day in and day out. On top of designing experiments and planning projects, she completes all aspects of each research project including surgeries, ordering animals, slicing brains, mounting brain slices, staining and counting cells, analyzing data, writing up papers for publication, and managing a team of undergrads.

3. Discuss how the person prepared for this role, and if they provided you with any advice as what you might be able to do to prepare for a similar career.

Sara said that she originally was preparing for dental school, but found that her interests changed and she decided to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience. As a result, she emphasized the importance of research during undergrad and suggested that I continue my involvement in lab if I decide a career in research is right for me. She suggested that I also take classes that are related to neuroscience but different, in order to gain experience in fields that I previously would not have thought of. Sara was very clear that I should only pursue graduate school if I am absolutely certain that I love research, since graduate school is so long and arduous.

4. Summarize any insights from the interview that might be helpful in your academic or career preparation.

From talking to Sara during the interview and on a repeated basis, I have gotten a much better understanding of what it is like to actually pursue a PhD in neuroscience. Many undergraduate students do not have an entire grasp on all of the different responsibilities of a graduate student. Just because you have an interest in a certain field and like research doesn’t mean it’s something that you should do forever. I have realized that a career in health care working with patients is better suited for me.

Major Service Project Prompts

1. Describe your involvement with this organization

For my Major Service Project I spent the year volunteering once a week at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. I began volunteering at Riverside in November 2014 as a greeter. For my major service project, I decided to pursue an opportunity in the Emergency Department, working as a Patient Advocate. Every Saturday over the past year I would spend 4-5 hours in the ED doing various tasks and assisting nurses with any miscellaneous duties that needed to be completed. Upon arrival I would stock blanket warmers, the nutrition room, patient rooms, and make sure all the nurses knew I was there. Following this, I would spend the rest of my shift going room-to-room checking on patients. Upon entering a patient’s room I would offer them pillows/blankets/anything to make them more comfortable. If they were alone, I would often stay and talk to them in order to make them feel comfortable because often times being at the ED alone can be a scary situation.

2. Describe what you gained as a result of this experience.

My experience at Riverside has easily been one of the most beneficial experiences for me during my time at Ohio State. I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend at Riverside every week because it gives me a chance to gain exposure to the health care field on a repeated basis. Furthermore, I am able to interact with nurses, physicians, and PSA’s who are able to provide insight into what it actually means to work in health care. Without this direct, hands on experience I would not be as familiar with the medical field. Volunteering at Riverside has helped me to decide on what career path is right for me.

3.Describe positive changes to the community as a result of your service experience.

I believe that the time I spend in the ED at Riverside has a positive benefit on not only myself, but the Columbus community as well. Often times the nurses and other health care staff are overworked so it’s clear that they really appreciate having a volunteer there to help out. Often times patients will express their gratitude toward me for the time I spend talking to them or the assistance I provide. Knowing that the work I am doing is contributing positively to their stay is rewarding for me, even if I only play a small role in their stay at Riverside.

4.Describe a person with whom you interacted that made a strong impression on you, positive or negative.

One man in particular that made an impact on me was a patient who I talked to for over an hour. Upon entering the room, I realized he was there alone so I struck up a conversation with him. Some patients are friendlier than others, but this man was extremely nice and willing to talk. He explained to me that he has been attacked and robbed while trying to cash his paycheck at a convenience store. He went on to explain that he was a veteran, serving our country for over 10 years. He now works extremely hard as a manual laborer, so it really struck me to find out he had been robbed for the money he worked so hard for. Instead of blaming other people, his advice was simply to continue to work hard regardless of the bad things that may happen. It amazed me that this man could be so resilient in the face of such adversity.

5.Complete the following sentence: “Because of this service experience, I am__________”

Because of this service experience, I am more convinced of my role in the health care setting and I understand more clearly what my career aspirations are.