Career Goals in Medicine
My ultimate career goal is to become a Physician Assistant, and Mount Union has prepared me for that path by exposing me to new opportunities, experiences, and areas within healthcare. I've attended the Midwest ACSM Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan with classmates and one of my professors. The conference focused on sports medicine and exercise science research, and it gave me the opportunity to hear from professionals, researchers, and students from different universities and programs. It was really interesting to see how other people were approaching the same field of study and to learn more about possible opportunities for my future. Another experience that had a huge impact on me was traveling to Germany for two weeks with fellow exercise science students and professors. We visited a university in Freiburg and were able to learn about different topics, teaching styles, and priorities within their program. That experience really opened my eyes to new possibilities within exercise science and helped me think more about what I may want to pursue in the future, especially in terms of research and continuing my education.
Overcoming Obstacles in College
One obstacle I've had to overcome during my time at Mount Union has been balancing my time between dealing with ongoing injuries and the amount of time and energy it takes to heal from them and my collegiate journey. Between physical therapy appointments, treatment sessions, and different doctor visits, it sometimes took away from my time with my teammates, and it made it harder to stay fully focused on my academics at times. There were moments where it was mentally challenging because so much was out of my control. Through that experience, however, I've learned how important it is to be patient, lean on those around me, and focus on what I can control. I'm really grateful for the support I've had from people around me because they've helped me stay positive and encourage me to keep working towards my goals even when things haven't gone the way that I've planned.
Impactful Faculty and Staff at UMU
Dr. Spillios. She has really helped me step out of my comfort zone by encouraging me to speak up, make connections, and take advantage of new opportunities. She also traveled with me to the Midwest ACSM Conference and Germany, and through those experiences she has become someone who has helped me grow academically, professionally, and personally. She has truly become a mentor to me and has made me feel even more excited about my future in healthcare and exercise science. I would also say that my track and field coach, Coach Lucas, has had a huge impact on my experience at Mount Union. Over the past two seasons, I've dealt with multiple injuries and setbacks, but he has continued to believe in me and support me through all of it. Having someone who recognizes hard work and can continue to encourage me, even during difficult times, has made my experience as a student-athlete much more meaningful.