My STEP signature project occurred from May 2019 – April 2020, a period of time in which I grew in multiple areas of my life. I spent summer 2019 in Columbus taking Chemistry and began volunteering in the Emergency Department at Riverside Methodist Hospital. I spent the remainder of my STEP period in regular (weekly) clinical volunteering.
While completing my STEP Signature Project, I could sense myself growing academically and in the community. My project exposed me to experiences I had never encountered before, and they encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and explore the unknown. Going into my signature project, I was excited to have the opportunity to stay in Columbus to pursue my academic and community service goals, but never anticipated the self confidence and awareness they instilled in me.
My experience volunteering weekly at Riverside Hospital helped me familiarize with what a career in the medical field looks like and gave me the opportunity to work among doctors and nurses. I often communicated with patients and was assigned my own set of tasks to complete. What in the very beginning seemed foreign and intimidating to me, grew to be what I looked forward to weekly and loved. A passion for patient-care began blooming in me. Additionally, I grew in my presence in the community outside of OSU by becoming a part of Riverside Hospital’s volunteer team. Prior to my signature project, I hadn’t found community outside of campus.
Various components of my STEP Signature Project led to the changes and growth I experienced. Taking chemistry over the summer helped me develop and maintain strong study habits. The lack of other coursework and extra free time brought about by summer encouraged me to dedicate ample time to the class and helped me remain motivated. I adopted study strategies that I hadn’t used before and completed my assignments ahead of time due to the lack of distractions. The class itself challenged me and helped me grow as I had never taken a class a chemistry class in college before.
Additionally, being a part of a large team of volunteers and working closely with Patient Representatives at Riverside Methodist Hospital boosted my self confidence by leading me to interact with health care professionals and giving me responsibilities I had never experienced before. In the very beginning, interacting with patients felt new and intimidating. As time progressed, performing patient rounds and engaging in conversation with patients grew to feel normal and enjoyable. Stepping outside of my comfort zone and welcoming in something new was rewarding and transformative.
Working closely with other volunteers in my weekly shifts also fostered my personal development by encouraging me to form new friendships and function as a team member. When working with another volunteer, I would always learn new things and enjoyed the presence of a friend. We would discuss the plan for the shift and work both together and individually depending on the tasks at hand. The presence of other volunteers helped me learn and grow.
My STEP transformation is significant in my life due to the knowledge, personal development, and growth I will take with me. Taking chemistry over the summer enabled me to excel in my coursework the following academic year and remain on track to complete my major and graduate on time. This eased my anxieties about the future and kept me academically motivated throughout the summer term. This academic component of my signature project strengthened my studiousness and academic strength. Additionally, volunteering at Riverside Methodist Hospital affirmed my idea of the career I will hold in the future. I am even more confident that I desire to work in a clinical setting centered on patient-care. My clinical service has not only helped me grow in the present, but solidified my professional and future career goals.
