Eric JordahlSenior Molecular Biology (Cell & Developmental Biology) major & pre-PhD As first semester seniors, my friends and I are all in the same mindset, “What’s next?”. It is quite scary for us to think about a life outside of Pitt, away from our friends and comfort zones, into the workforce, medical school, or graduate school. I know for a long time, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted to be a medical doctor, a pediatric cardiologist, to be exact. I wanted to work in a hospital, see patients, and meet new people every day, helping to treat what ails them. Don’t get me wrong, this is still a life I could see myself in, but it is not the life that I want anymore. Since November of my freshman year (2018), I have been a member of the O’Donnell Lab, a molecular and cell biology lab in the Department of Biological Sciences. Since joining this lab, even when working as a lab aide, not a researcher, I have found a home. I sincerely enjoy all things research, from reading papers to cell culturing, I certainly found my niche. Anyone who knows me, knows that I can talk about my research for hours and never get tired of it, but I won’t subject you all to that here. What I have learned about myself from these experiences, however, is that I was not on the right path when I was only pre-med. It may have been right for someone else, but not for me. With that said, I thought the right path for me was pursuing an MD and a PhD. For a long time, this was it, I had finally found the right thing for me, a mixture of the career I once thought that I wanted, and the research I fell in love with. I spent almost all of sophomore year and the beginning of junior year thinking that this was the right path for me. It was not until I did some reflecting last year after a summer research fellowship that I realized this was not meant for me either. Now, I am a first semester senior looking towards graduate school to get my PhD in Cell or Molecular Biology. I can honestly say, I never would have thought of myself as someone to change paths 3 different times since entering undergrad. I was so sure that medicine was the right direction for me, but now I look back and smile at the prospect of it. I held onto the idea that I was supposed to be a doctor for so long, not because it was what I wanted, but because I had been told it was the right path, and I believed it. I guess what I have learned and will pass on as advice is really do not let anyone else decide your path for you. If you feel something itching at you saying, “this is not right”, listen to it. I now am taking the next strides toward applying to graduate programs for after graduation. However, this process is one that is much less clearly outlined than that of applying to medical school. Many schools have different requirements than others: for example some require the GRE, but most no longer require it. Some schools have a common application base, like applying to undergrad (except for at Pitt), but many do not. This is a road that I must really take my time on, and make sure that I am fully prepared to venture down this path with my head on straight, eyes on the goal ahead of me. I am happy to be putting myself out there, but it comes with much anxiety too. I am constantly asking questions, “Is my GPA too low? Am I involved enough” Are my Recommendation Letters good enough?” and so much more. The best advice I have heard, no matter how cliché it is, is to truly take it one day at a time. If you jump too far forward, you are bound to lose your footing somewhere. So, plant your feet, set yourself a strong base, and walk this line one day at a time, not forgetting your goal destination. I know I will be! I am happy to speak to anyone who wants to reach out and has any questions about my journey, me, my research, or just want to talk to someone who they think shares a common experience. Please feel free to reach out, my email is [email protected]
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January 2022
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