First off, when I thought about volunteering at the hospital, I had many people advising me against it- all of my work and interests up to that point were focused on topics like Women Empowerment, Global issues, and leadership. I was obsessed with Malala Yousafzai and girl's education during my Sophomore year. I even told my Chemistry teacher that I didn't think I was interested in pursuing science. Something drew me to working as a maternity Aide at Sharp Chula Vista, and I loved it. I saw mothers in their happiest moments, and got the chance to put my hands to work to make sure they were taken care of and comfortable. That summer, my parent's friend who worked with the United Nations in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (also what I had envisioned would be one of my dream jobs) came to the US with PTSD. Her plan was to go back to school to get her nursing certification. She told me stories of times where she couldn't help people in need because she didn't have the certification nor knowledge to do so. At this point, my views started shifting and I started to realize how applicable science is to almost any career.
This internship has opened my eyes even more, and, through incredibly interesting conversations with Dr. Roberts, I'm starting to realize how much insight I can have into people's behavior by simply knowing the science behind patterns seen in other species. I can also honestly say that because of these conversations and analysis, I've begun to see the word differently- I can tell that I'm becoming much more observant and better at analyzing situations.
So, to finish this post, I'm going to say that I don't know what career I'm going to choose yet- It's going to change in the next few weeks, then again in the following months, and probably again once I submit my college applications. And even though I might not want to do research long-term at the moment, I know that this is experience is one dot of the many in my lifetime of "connect the dots". Just as I've started to realize how things from my past are beginning to make sense, I have faith that my career path will place me where I need to be.