9/25/23 Not a Dull Moment

“Test, read, write, study, interview, study more, write more, interview again, three more tests.” My week’s to-do list looked like I was writing bridge lyrics for Taylor Swift’s new release. I balanced my long list of other classwork with my ISM advancements, so it was quite a hectic week. Beyond research for my fourth research assessment, I was searching the internet for information that would prepare me for my first two interviews that week. I curated an appropriate list of questions for each interviewee based on their backgrounds and what I wanted to learn from them. My first interview was at Children’s Health and I was definitely a little nervous going into it. Did I have enough questions? Will the conversation flow well? These worries crowded my mind every moment before walking into the room. However, I was quickly calmed down by the familiar environment of the Children’s Health Library, and the familiar faces of those whom I volunteered with just a month prior. My interviewee was easy to talk to so I felt comfortable and learned a lot during the hour-long interview. That following morning I had another interview scheduled over Zoom. Having gone through it once already, my nerves were much more settled as I sat on the call minutes before nine. I had my newly prepared list of questions I made specifically for this new interviewee so I felt ready. I got a lot more information specific to anesthesiology in this interview and my interviewee provided good insight into all my questions. Later in the week, I worked on my topic proposal where I initially struggled to put my thoughts into words. However, I ended up pleased with seeing my passion for the topic laid out in front of me. Writing the topic proposal reminded me of my why in taking ISM and prompted me to think about how I am going make the most of this opportunity.