Goals & Learning

In the fall, I had the opportunity to receive constructive feedback that helped me grow both professionally and personally. One particular task that stood out was creating an Excel sheet with data. I initially overlooked a crucial column needed for the final document. Instead of simply indicating "yes" or "no," I was expected to include specific dates. At first, this mistake made me feel like I had fallen short of expectations. Fortunately, I had sent a rough draft of the document to my supervisor for review before finalizing it. This proactive step allowed me to receive feedback early, resulting in only minimal changes being necessary. I realized that seeking clarification or asking for feedback early on is not a weakness, but rather a strength that can help me achieve better results. This experience reduced my anxiety and made me more comfortable with the idea of asking questions without fearing judgment. It also encouraged me to view mistakes as opportunities for growth rather than failures.

One of my goals during the internship was to improve my communication skills, particularly in a professional setting. Part of my responsibilities involved recruiting patients for a research registry, which required making phone calls to explain the registry's purpose and encourage participation. This task was initially intimidating, as I had little experience with phone-based communication in a professional context. However, as I gained more knowledge and received feedback from my supervisor, I became increasingly comfortable managing these calls, developing a professional tone, and effectively conveying information. This aspect of my role significantly contributed to my professional growth, as I learned how to communicate with patients, handle objections, and ensure clarity in all my interactions.
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I want to embrace the possibility of failure as a valuable part of my personal and professional journey. While I understand that failing at something can be overwhelming and stressful, I am learning to view it as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. Failure is often the best teacher, helping me refine my skills and approach problems differently. To actively practice this mindset, I am committed to trying new methods, tools, and strategies that could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of my work. I recognize that change can be uncomfortable and that the risk of failure is inherent in trying something new. However, I am determined not to shy away from that risk. If things do not go as planned, instead of becoming discouraged, I will remind myself that I made the effort and learned something valuable. I will see it as an opportunity to reassess and try a different approach with renewed focus.

My internship has provided me with a unique and invaluable perspective on the healthcare field, broadening my understanding of both the profession and my coursework. Working in a hospital or clinic setting is vastly different from being a patient, and this experience has given me insights into the intricacies of healthcare. Healthcare providers not only share their professional knowledge but also play a key role in alleviating concerns and offering emotional support. 

Even though I do not have the same medical expertise as doctors or nurses, interacting with patients has allowed me to witness firsthand the importance of clear communication and empathy in healthcare. Specifically, recruiting patients for a research registry, whether over the phone or in person, has provided me with a meaningful experience that parallels in-person interactions.

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In the spring, skills that I have practiced and am more confident in are communication, initiative, ​and problem-solving. My site offers in-person and virtual work, There have been occasions where misunderstandings have occurred, such as meeting in person instead of through a Zoom call. Including change in time of meeting, communication has played a role, and problem-solving, I had implemented solutions to improve by checking my email early in the morning, and before I settle for the night. Doing so has helped me grow into having a routine that will encourage me to stay active and consistent, since last-minute occurrences are possible. Communication has helped in clarifying what is expected, meeting times, and tasks. 
 

Monday and Thursday are available days to recruit; due to overlapping schedules, in the fall, I would go on Thursdays and in the spring, Mondays. It does not give me much time to work and expand my experience, I had asked my supervisor if there are other tasks I could work on. She had suggested working on an article search about contributing factors of pain in sleep disturbances in pediatrics. I took the initiative to ask, and I got the opportunity to do something different apart from my recruiting site. I had the confidence to ask since I have been working on being confident in myself throughout this experience, which is another aspect I have seen growth.​​​

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Time management is a skill I am still working on. Previously, I had thought to balance it well, but I have faced challenges in my academic work, apart from the internship I was not counting on. I have been working on improving this skill by creating a planner and spreading tasks I need to complete throughout the week. Despite the effort, I sometimes find myself unable to complete all the tasks I set for that day, which delays the other projects or assignments I am working on. To improve this skill, I will continue to plan my week and implement efficient strategies to complete work on time. After the LHSI program, I will be creating goals to accomplish that include time management skills and practicing as much as possible to create a good habit of managing my time.

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On a self-assessment survey, I noticed skills such as communication, integration and application, perseverance, and independence are implemented in my role as an intern, which I feel more confident in compared to the fall. I distinguish the growth I have made in these skills from the challenges I have come crossed that involved academic and social life. There have been instances where a family member had an accident, necessitating communication with my supervisor about rescheduling a meeting or postponing a task. Since my main task is to recruit patients, I have been able to expand my professional vocabulary that is appropriate and functional. Integrating former experiences, such as knowing how to approach an adult and a child, is important, as I have been applying this skill during recruitment. It is less difficult to adapt to information since there will be a variety of scenarios that will require quick adaptation to solve the problem.

There has been an increase in the use of techniques to apply in new situations that explore a variety of information.

I have grown in perseverance as I came across challenges such as technical difficulties, which I had to seek IT resources that help resolve the issue. It took time to resolve the issue, but if I had given up, I would not have been able to complete the tasks that I had. Independence has been a main skill that was used since my tasks did not always require me to be on-site recruiting patients every day. When completing data entry, I would be working from home, the library, or in a building on campus. I would set a time to complete tasks that require independence, including arranging times to ask questions or emailing my supervisor with concerns. 

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A skill from the survey I would like to continue improving is teamwork. I have not been able to be part of a team that consists of three or more individuals, but implementing this more will be beneficial as I continue to work and experience different areas. Knowing how to cooperate in a team is effective for a good working environment where each person is valued and respected. To continue growing this skill after LHSI, applying to research internship sites will allow me to be part of a group that may have similar goals and are willing to collaborate to perform to the best of our abilities. Another alternative is taking part in volunteer sites that require lots of teamwork and communication. These are some ideas to improve and continue to grow in this specific skill.