Retrospective Essay
Introduction
This retrospective reflection highlights my growth throughout the Honors College, showcasing how my academic experiences, engaged learning opportunities, and personal development have shaped me into an emerging healthcare professional. Through my coursework, study abroad experience, and professional roles, I have developed the skills, perspectives, and confidence needed to succeed in my future career.
“My experiences in the Honors College helped me move beyond focusing on grades and develop a clearer sense of my future in healthcare.”
Who I Am as an Emerging Professional
In hindsight, my time in the Honors College has changed my mindset a lot. In the beginning, I was mainly focused on getting good grades and finishing assignments. Now, I have learned much more about what kind of healthcare provider I want to be and how the things I’m learning and experiencing connect to that.
Growth Through Honors Experiences
One experience that really stood out to me was the H398 AMRITA-IUI Virtual Exchange. Going into that program, I didn’t expect it to have such a big impact on me, but it changed how I approach inter-professional collaboration and my perspective on healthcare. In that course, we talked a lot about how sustainable development goals are important, and it made me realize that where someone lives and their income can have a huge impact on their quality of care. The course encouraged me to apply what I was learning and discuss it with my peers. My participation in H398 is evidence that my work achieves the IUI Honors College goal of participating in international and cultural experiences. That course pushed me outside of my usual way of thinking and opened my eyes to how culture, environment, and access to resources play an important role in someone’s health. I know that this knowledge is important as a future PA since I will be working with patients from different backgrounds.
Another experience that stood out to me was my maternal health infographic. I focused on maternal mortality in the U.S., especially how it affects women of color at different rates. I examined CDC data and was surprised by how prevalent this issue is. It made me realize how diversity, or the lack of it, can severely impact the quality of care in the U.S. This project is evidence that my work achieves the IUI Honors College goal of developing strong communication and problem-solving skills. I had to take a lot of detailed information and turn it into simplified content that was easy for my audience to understand. It really showed me how important clear communication is in healthcare because people rely on providers to explain things in a way that makes sense to them.
Outside of my classes, my job as a Patient Service Specialist at Select Physical Therapy has probably helped me grow the most. It will also serve as the site for my Honors Capstone internship. This experience allowed me to develop strong communication skills. I interact with patients every day by scheduling appointments, answering insurance questions, and helping bridge the gap between providers and patients. This experience aligns with the IUI Honors College goal of participating in applied learning. That healthcare setting allowed me to apply the knowledge I learned in my courses. I learned to communicate professionally, stay organized, and handle situations that don’t go according to plan. It also helped me become more comfortable talking to patients, which was something I was originally nervous about.
Honors Learning Goals
One thing that is really important right now is building my ePortfolio. At first, I saw it as just another assignment I had to complete, but once I started putting everything together, it made me reflect on the value of all my experiences and how they connect to my goals. My ePortfolio is evidence that my work achieves the IUI Honors College goal of reflecting on my growth as a learner. Compiling all my experiences allows me to clearly see my progress and growth on both a professional and personal level. It also highlighted experiences that I want to include in my PA school applications and interviews.
Personal Growth
I believe the biggest thing I gained from my Honors experience is clarity and a sense of purpose. Before, I just knew I wanted to have a career in healthcare, but now I can actually see myself working in areas like maternal or infant care. Experiences like my infographic and my internship site made me more certain about my future aspirations. I now have a better understanding of what I want to do and the kind of impact I want to have in the healthcare field.
I have also become more aware of how important communication and cultural understanding are. It is not enough as a provider to just treat the illness; I need to treat the person as a whole. Good providers know how to connect with people and understand their situation and background. I also understand how important interprofessional collaboration is because communication between providers improves the overall quality of care for the patient.
“My growth reflects not only academic development, but a stronger sense of purpose and direction in my career.”
Preparing for My Future Career
As I get closer to graduating, I feel more prepared, but I am also more aware of how much I still need to grow. Although I still feel like I have things to figure out, I know I am moving in the right direction and have a defined goal. My Honors experiences gave me a strong foundation. They not only strengthened me academically but also helped me grow professionally and personally. My time in the Honors College has completely changed how I think about and approach healthcare, and it has inspired me to become a more well-rounded provider.
Links:
H398 AMRITA-IUI Project:
H200 Journey Map:
https://prezi.com/view/TsyhPCxFmRT7sUG7H0mH/
Maternal Health Infographic: