Hey, everyone! Hope your new year is going well so far! It’s a special Monday as it is Martin Luther King Day! I took some time to reflect during this busy time. Because he followed his dream, I can follow mine. 🙂 I had the opportunity to interview one of my kind followers, Emma, who agreed to give some advice. This is my first interview with someone outside of the U.S. Anyways, enjoy the read!
Tell me a little bit about yourself. What is your main career goal?
My name is Emma. I’m 22 years old. I was born and raised in Italy, where I currently live. I was first introduced to English at age 3 and one of my goals for the future is to get further English proficiency certifications so that it can officially become my second language. I also love writing and have been doing that since I was 10. Anyway, I digress. Career goals you ask. Uhm, difficult question. Up until not too long ago, my career goal was to become a pediatric neuropsychiatrist, so a pediatrician specialized in treating kids and adolescents who struggle with mental health issues. Mental health is really important to me and I love working with kids and youngsters. Now, however, I am leaning towards clinical psychology more than medicine. So I’d get my BSc in Psych, then my MSc and then some special subspecialty training which is kind of like residency. I could also go for a PhD in child psych, who knows? Right now, I just feel this path would make me happier than med school would. I don’t like how med school is in my country and, since I have mild cerebral palsy and suffer from mental health issues (anxiety and depression), that path would let me do what I’m passionate about in a -hopefully- less stressful way.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I’m a huge hematology nerd. I love red blood cells in particular. And all the conditions that can affect them. I believe benign hematology will forever be a passion of mine. If I lived in the US or U.K. I’d become a pediatric benign hematologist I think. But I also love child psych so much and, since I need to stay in Italy, I think I’ll go that route.
Where are you in your pre-med journey?
Well, in Italy we don’t have college. Med school is a 6-year long program you apply to right out of high school. I applied once at age 18 and got rejected. So I went for what some call “the bridge strategy”. I applied to for a BSc in Biotech at my local university because I couldn’t (and currently can’t) move out. I thought I just would have taken some classes to prepare me for med school and reapplying and then apply. But I’m still in the program because I still am not independent enough to move further away for med school. Cerebral palsy, no matter how mild, is hard to deal with, both physically and mentally.
What is your current job? If you are employed, tell me about a typical day and why you chose this job?
Well, I don’t have a job. But I’m currently volunteering every afternoon for an association based in my tiny town. I work alongside professionals (published child educators and child therapists) who make me feel as though I can make a difference for the kids we help. I am responsible for one of the classrooms and mainly work alongside teenagers with various learning disabilities. I do help out with the younger kids too when my coworkers need an extra pair of hands. I love it and it’s the best part of my life at the moment. It’s helping a lot with my mental health issues as well.
What kept you motivated throughout college?
I am still in college. I decided I will take a few months off to focus on my mental health (I’m still suffering from burn out among other things) and on doing some stuff I’ve been wanting to do for 4 years but never found the time for. I’ll apply to my local university for a BSc(Hons) in Psychology as soon as possible. My motto is- and will be- “She believe she could so she did”. I also love to listen to the hymn of Boston Children’s Hospital, called “until every child is well”. It always motivates me and never fails to put a smile on my face.
How do you stay motivated now?
I have to say volunteering really keeps me motivated. Seeing the kids happy and my colleagues and mentors working and making a difference in their lives. To me that’s really inspiring.
My mentors (a child educator, a child psychologist and a doctor) inspire me a lot too.
What’s your favorite quote?
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Kick ass, but self-care first.
Finally, what advice do you have to students who wish to have a career in medicine or STEM?
I would tell them to keep their options open and to embrace change. I would also tell them to make sure they take care of themselves because we, as future health care professionals, are as important as our future patients.
Thanks for visiting my blog! Be sure to check out my other posts. There is more to come soon! Until then be kind and remember tomorrow depends on what you do today. Hope you enjoyed reading! — Taylor ❤
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