Forward
May 17th, 2013
During spring semester 2013, I took part in the Biomedical Research Mentorship Program. I interviewed with six different labs to try to find the one that would be the right fit for me. In the end I decided to work with Mindy, a graduate student in the Systems Biology and Physiology department. Throughout the semester she taught me different lab techniques and had me performing experiments in a forgiving environment so that I could gain laboratory experience. I wanted to be involved in research because I am in the process of deciding my plans for graduate school. I may enter an MD or DO program but I am considering an MD/PhD depending on my enjoyment participating in research. This was my first research experience and I am happy to say that I enjoyed it thoroughly!
I consider this experiential learning project to be a continuation of the career exploration that I began with my last experiential learning project at OrthoNeuro. In the proposal for my project at OrthoNeuro, I mentioned Donald Super's idea of career exploration that said it is a lifelong journey that is based on the experiences that one has. The research I completed this semester was one such experience. It has changed my outlook on careers in research and the MD/PhD program offered by many schools. For one, I do not think I am all that interested in laboratory research, it was not exactly what I pictured it would be. However, the research process is intriguing and I think that I would like to investigate behavioral, nutritional or exercise related research as a way to still be involved in a different manner.
One of my biggest take-a ways from this project was not a lab technique or specific skill. Instead, this project has shown me how important it is to be involved, but not in so many things that you cannot give your best to each activity. This semester I had a hard course load, participated in research, worked and was involved in a competitive club sports team. While these are all things that I enjoyed, I found myself stressed all semester because I simply could not do well at any of them. I was not able to give enough of my time or energy and I was always looking ahead to what I still had to complete each day. This really sucked the fun out of the whole semester but, like I said, I have learned my lesson. My advice to all, the take away I got from this experience is to put your whole self in to what you do so that you do not cheat yourself out of opportunities.
Feel free to look at other pages, one contains my weekly reflections that detail my thoughts on my work in the lab as well as how I am progressing, another has the original proposal and the final page contains my reflective essay for the project.
Enjoy!
Charles McCombs
During spring semester 2013, I took part in the Biomedical Research Mentorship Program. I interviewed with six different labs to try to find the one that would be the right fit for me. In the end I decided to work with Mindy, a graduate student in the Systems Biology and Physiology department. Throughout the semester she taught me different lab techniques and had me performing experiments in a forgiving environment so that I could gain laboratory experience. I wanted to be involved in research because I am in the process of deciding my plans for graduate school. I may enter an MD or DO program but I am considering an MD/PhD depending on my enjoyment participating in research. This was my first research experience and I am happy to say that I enjoyed it thoroughly!
I consider this experiential learning project to be a continuation of the career exploration that I began with my last experiential learning project at OrthoNeuro. In the proposal for my project at OrthoNeuro, I mentioned Donald Super's idea of career exploration that said it is a lifelong journey that is based on the experiences that one has. The research I completed this semester was one such experience. It has changed my outlook on careers in research and the MD/PhD program offered by many schools. For one, I do not think I am all that interested in laboratory research, it was not exactly what I pictured it would be. However, the research process is intriguing and I think that I would like to investigate behavioral, nutritional or exercise related research as a way to still be involved in a different manner.
One of my biggest take-a ways from this project was not a lab technique or specific skill. Instead, this project has shown me how important it is to be involved, but not in so many things that you cannot give your best to each activity. This semester I had a hard course load, participated in research, worked and was involved in a competitive club sports team. While these are all things that I enjoyed, I found myself stressed all semester because I simply could not do well at any of them. I was not able to give enough of my time or energy and I was always looking ahead to what I still had to complete each day. This really sucked the fun out of the whole semester but, like I said, I have learned my lesson. My advice to all, the take away I got from this experience is to put your whole self in to what you do so that you do not cheat yourself out of opportunities.
Feel free to look at other pages, one contains my weekly reflections that detail my thoughts on my work in the lab as well as how I am progressing, another has the original proposal and the final page contains my reflective essay for the project.
Enjoy!
Charles McCombs