Personal Essay: Pursuing A Career Path In Medicine

I can no longer ignore the occasional tug in my chest that compels me to consider a career path in medicine. My experiences and own research have led me to want to pursue a career as a research scientist, studying the origins of humanity and human genetics. However, there are times where a yearning to explore an intellectual and professional path in medicine take over. I have a need to teach, heal, and contribute to humanity, and I would like to test my desire to do so by exposing myself to this medical program. As a Dominican-American female from a low-income household, it was forbidden to express even a remote amount of weakness in front of family members. In my culture any pain- mental or physical- could be simply prayed away, or treated

The experience of battling depression has led me to a wonderful journey in learning how to interact with others. Upon entering college and in the process of recovery, I’ve seen others that suffer differently. I’ve felt their pain as mine, and my heart grew and swelled with the desire to reach out and make a change in their lives. I remember that on my way to the hospital the day of my psych evaluation, I sat with a wonderful person in the ambulance truck. This wonderful woman was an EMT, and throughout the entire ride, she spoke to me as if I was her good friend. It seemed as if she felt my pain as hers, and wanted to ameliorate my negative feelings. I remember that I felt very anxious and helpless, but speaking to her on my way to the hospital made me feel important and accompanied by compassion and positivity. This experience allowed me to show the most compassion towards my patients as a Certified Nursing Assistant during the summer before college. Working as a CNA allowed me to have close contact with individuals from different backgrounds and needs, and has exposed me to different emotions and beliefs that I have come to respect. I’ve come in to contact with frustrated families and worrying patients that were extremely sick and helpless. I witnessed their frustrations with attempting to complete their daily tasks, things that the