Welcome to my Honors & Scholars e-Portfolio

Welcome! This portfolio is meant to serve as a snapshot of my academic and community life. Within one can find reflections on several of my experiences, including service projects and organizations that I have been involved in and shaped me into the person that I am today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by email at mcelwain.35@osu.edu.

Semester in Review

Throughout this semester I have gained several valuable skills that I will be able to use throughout the rest of my life. College thus far has certainly been an adjustment period, with me doing essentially everything on my own after leaving my family. However, as time as progressed, I have fallen into a new routine and am able to get everything done effectively and efficiently. A big part of this transition has been getting used to living the people around me, which has taught me detrimental communication skills because I have been forced into discussing with new people quite often. For the remainder of the year, I hope to continue to improve upon my time management and communication skills the most.

G.O.A.L.S.

While all of these aspects are essential to creating a well-rounded student, two in particular speak to me. Global Awareness and Service Engagement are two aspects that I believe are often overlooked. I, however, hold both of these subjects close to my heart. In order for us to be the most productive members of society we must constantly work to understand one another and help those who are in need.

  • Global Awareness: I have began my track to becoming more globally aware by pursuing a double major in French. During my junior year, I aspire to study abroad in France and truly begin to learn French and European culture. This is only a start to becoming globally aware, and the journey to global awareness is one that does not come to an end.
  • Original Inquiry: To me, original inquiry means getting involved in scientific research as soon and as often as possible. This research is the basis of the world’s understanding of things such as medicine and environmental conservation. I aspire to get involved in research during the upcoming semester.
  • Academic Enrichment: While grades and course rigour are important aspects of academic enrichment, they are certainly not the only things that matter. A big, often overlooked aspect of academic enrichment is getting involved in some club or a line of work that compliments your learning.
  • Leadership Development: Being a leader is not as simple as getting elected to a leadership board in one of your clubs. Leadership is hard work and a character trait that must often be worked on by pushing ones own boundaries and learning about others work.
  • Service Engagement: I am dedicated to serving the community in any and all aspects of my life. Service is not just about going on week long mission trips or even just going to the food bank for a couple of hours. Service can be as simple as spreading kindness or picking up a piece of trash that you pass and taking it to the nearest trash can. I am involved in Doctors Without Borders Undergraduate Chapter and through this organization, I am able to volunteer with local clinics and hopefully, volunteer abroad in the future. I am also involved in OSU Pen PALS, in which I write letters to elementary school students in Columbus City Schools. I can tell them what college is like and encourage them to pursue higher education and keep them on a good path.

Research Interest

I am a molecular genetics major on the premed track. My ultimate career goal is to receive my MD/PhD. I would like to work with children as a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon. The research I am mostly interested in, involves developmental genetics.

Artifacts

October 11, 2018

I was given the opportunity to shadow a Physician Assistant, Seth Agyeman-Berko, at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. This experience was only for a few hours, but it was my first opportunity to be in a clinical hospital setting. The short amount of time with him was enough to solidify the fact that I want to work in a hospital, specifically with children. While I can not discuss on a public forum most of what we did during the day, I can say that seeing patients made me realize that many of the patients rely on hospital staff for more than medical care. The hospital staff often acts as advocates for the patients in other aspects of their life such as their home life. Before this day I had never even considered P.A. school as an option for me, but now I have a much more open mind and would possibly consider it as an option if medical school were not to work out. Also after shadowing Seth, I have been given the opporunity to shadow a pediatric surgeon in the near future.

About Me

Hello, my name is Skylar McElwain and I am from Grove City, Ohio. I am currently pursuing a dual degree in Molecular Genetics and French at The Ohio State University. I am the Service Chair of the Biological Sciences Scholars Program.

I am currently involved in Doctors Without Borders and OSU Pen PALS. In addition to school, I spend a lot of time volunteering with the American Red Cross, First Aid Service Team (FAST). When I am not at school or volunteering, I work as a Patient Care Associate at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. After my undergraduate career is complete, I hope to continue working in healthcare in some capacity. At this time, I am undecided as to how I will continue to work in healthcare, but I am exploring my options.