Part One: What? So What?
This year was defined by professional growth, but also contained quite a bit of personal adjustment. 2017 was the first year that I lived entirely on my own in an Apartment off campus. The fall was the most difficult academic semester to date, and in the spring my first Co-op semester provided much insight into where I wanted to go in the future. Although I did not complete a Honors Experience, the year ended up being a great period of growth and learning.
This August I moved into an apartment off of campus. It was the largest adjustment and was the first time I was not only responsible for my own living arrangements, but also meals and general well being as well. This adjustment was something I was extraordinarily nervous about. I have never been a big cook, but wanted to live in a ergonomic, but healthy way. Throughout the year, there were several problems that arose between a broken sink, roommate disagreements, and plenty of burnt dinners, but I was able to over come all of these, and moving out proved to be a big point of growth through the semester.
The fall also proved to be one of the most difficult academic semesters I have faced. Between Organic Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Statistics, and working two part time jobs, the semester demanded more time and effort than I expected. I continued to be an active member of the ROAR Tour Guides. The group allows me to be involved on campus, and was a big source of my satisfaction during a difficult and strenuous term. Overall I had good success in school, grew from the challenges of the courses, and enjoyed the semester as a whole.
Following the fall, I started the first semester of Co-op. I was hired by a company called Atricure in Mason, Ohio in their Operations department. The Co-op showed me a variety of different opportunities available in the field of Biomedical Engineering. I struggle at first with Professional Confidence and feeling as if my opinion or ideas were worthwhile, but throughout the course of the Co-op I grew more confident in my ability to succeed in my field. The one biggest takeaway from my Co-op is how isolated I felt from campus. I could not give tours during my Co-op semester, I was no longer on campus for classes, and as a result the semester left me feeling isolated from the friends and community I had on campus.
In summary, this year proved to be a year of challenges, and success. My classes in the fall pushed my limits, but showed how hard I am capable of working to meet a goal. I also proved that I could live on my own, feed myself, and be self-sufficient. During my Co-op semester I proved to myself that I could succeed as a professional, got a better idea of what Biomedical Engineering entails and built upon my technical and interpersonal soft skills. All of this helped me grow as a person, gave me more confidence heading into future semesters, and showed me the importance of belonging to a group or community.
Part Two: Now What?
Overall, the year was another successful one. It was marked by great academic and professional growth. I hope to carry that new found confidence into future semesters and endeavors.
Looking forward, I hope to return to Atricure following the Summer school semester. The experience was a positive one, and although I still believe my ultimate goal is to go to medical school, I will still keep and open mind as I learn more about the Biomedical Engineering field.
I also realized how much I enjoy being the part of a larger organization be that the University, ROAR Tour Guides, or my family. Living on my own while on Co-op proved to be a lonely time, and in the future I plan on looking for ways to remain involved even while working off campus.
I want to continue building on the successes I have had this year. Going forward in either academic or professional endeavors I want to use these success as a point of healthy self-confidence. The coming year will include two Co-op semesters and a single academic term. I want to push myself to work hard, stay involved in ROAR, continue exploring career options in Biomedical Engineering or the Medical fields.
This year was defined by professional growth, but also contained quite a bit of personal adjustment. 2017 was the first year that I lived entirely on my own in an Apartment off campus. The fall was the most difficult academic semester to date, and in the spring my first Co-op semester provided much insight into where I wanted to go in the future. Although I did not complete a Honors Experience, the year ended up being a great period of growth and learning.
This August I moved into an apartment off of campus. It was the largest adjustment and was the first time I was not only responsible for my own living arrangements, but also meals and general well being as well. This adjustment was something I was extraordinarily nervous about. I have never been a big cook, but wanted to live in a ergonomic, but healthy way. Throughout the year, there were several problems that arose between a broken sink, roommate disagreements, and plenty of burnt dinners, but I was able to over come all of these, and moving out proved to be a big point of growth through the semester.
The fall also proved to be one of the most difficult academic semesters I have faced. Between Organic Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Statistics, and working two part time jobs, the semester demanded more time and effort than I expected. I continued to be an active member of the ROAR Tour Guides. The group allows me to be involved on campus, and was a big source of my satisfaction during a difficult and strenuous term. Overall I had good success in school, grew from the challenges of the courses, and enjoyed the semester as a whole.
Following the fall, I started the first semester of Co-op. I was hired by a company called Atricure in Mason, Ohio in their Operations department. The Co-op showed me a variety of different opportunities available in the field of Biomedical Engineering. I struggle at first with Professional Confidence and feeling as if my opinion or ideas were worthwhile, but throughout the course of the Co-op I grew more confident in my ability to succeed in my field. The one biggest takeaway from my Co-op is how isolated I felt from campus. I could not give tours during my Co-op semester, I was no longer on campus for classes, and as a result the semester left me feeling isolated from the friends and community I had on campus.
In summary, this year proved to be a year of challenges, and success. My classes in the fall pushed my limits, but showed how hard I am capable of working to meet a goal. I also proved that I could live on my own, feed myself, and be self-sufficient. During my Co-op semester I proved to myself that I could succeed as a professional, got a better idea of what Biomedical Engineering entails and built upon my technical and interpersonal soft skills. All of this helped me grow as a person, gave me more confidence heading into future semesters, and showed me the importance of belonging to a group or community.
Part Two: Now What?
Overall, the year was another successful one. It was marked by great academic and professional growth. I hope to carry that new found confidence into future semesters and endeavors.
Looking forward, I hope to return to Atricure following the Summer school semester. The experience was a positive one, and although I still believe my ultimate goal is to go to medical school, I will still keep and open mind as I learn more about the Biomedical Engineering field.
I also realized how much I enjoy being the part of a larger organization be that the University, ROAR Tour Guides, or my family. Living on my own while on Co-op proved to be a lonely time, and in the future I plan on looking for ways to remain involved even while working off campus.
I want to continue building on the successes I have had this year. Going forward in either academic or professional endeavors I want to use these success as a point of healthy self-confidence. The coming year will include two Co-op semesters and a single academic term. I want to push myself to work hard, stay involved in ROAR, continue exploring career options in Biomedical Engineering or the Medical fields.