Career Considerations
As a child, my parents succeeded in occupying me for hours by buying me my own toy microscope. I have always been interested in science, particularly biology and its medical applications. Growing up I thought that a career as a doctor would be an exciting way to combine an interest in biology and a desire to help people. I volunteered at a local hospital in high school and really enjoyed the environment. However, as I have learned more about the variety of science careers available I have realized that a career in research would also satisfy my passion for biology. I have always been one to constantly ask questions, and as a scientist I would have the ability to ask, and then attempt to answer, the infinite number of questions that science offers.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the lab this summer and I am confident that I would love a career as a scientist. However, I still feel like I would enjoy the medical environment, especially the direct interaction with those you are assisting. A combined MD/PhD degree would allow me to combine both the research and clinical aspects of medicine. More specifically, I feel that the fields of cancer biology and infectious disease are exciting, dynamic fields that could be pursued as a physician scientist. I hope that in the next few years I can take advantage of additional opportunities to gain experience in both fields and really understand what I am best suited for.