This week’s goal was to begin to think about the internship aspect of the program. Multiple assignments were due this week, including the initial website design, first research assessment, interview questions, and contact/correspondence list. These assignments focused on the real-life application of my topic of study (medical research) as well as the steps necessary to allow me to study it this year.

 

The website design assignment allowed me to create a color scheme for the year and a layout for my portfolio. I chose blue, grey, and coral for the color scheme because blues and greys are often associated with the medical field and coral provides contrast. I will now begin looking for a binder in either grey or blue to match the color scheme. I tried to make the layout of the website as neat as possible, with a tab for research assessments, weekly reports, and contact information. I can not wait to begin adding to the website, and see how it grows over the year. In addition, the chance to make a professional portfolio that will be a part of my internet footprint is exciting.

 

The first research assessment was also important in allowing me to begin thinking about the rest of the year. The assessment covered the career outlook of medical research, as well as some of the components of being a medical scientist. The information I learned through databases and government statistics reassured me that I am still interested in medical research. The salary is decent, and the field is growing steadily. Furthermore, the skills demanded of a medical scientist align closely with my own, and the opportunities to innovate are very appealing.

 

Beginning the contact and correspondence list as well as the interview questions have started the process of finding a mentor. In addition to going over handshakes and professional dress, these assignments have impressed upon me how imminent the process of beginning work in the professional world is. The interview questions were fun to make, as I was able to write down the things I truly want to ask professionals in the medical research field. It also allowed me to do more research into the workings of the medical field, so that my questions would have a strong foundation of knowledge. The contact list required a lot of work, as finding business professionals nearby working on labs I am interested in is tricky. I looked mostly at universities and teaching hospitals with well known research programs in the vicinity. This includes UT Southwestern, Baylor, and UTD. I found the most contacts and Southwestern and listed the heads research scientist of the labs I was most interested in. I plan to ask the head research scientists to recommend one of their workers as a mentor and work from there. Some of the research studies I found seem very interesting, and I can’t wait to begin interviews.