During my senior year at Washington University in St. Louis, I served as a MCAT problem-solving group leader for the school’s in-house preparatory course. I was assigned to lead the group of post-baccalaureates who were non-traditional pre-medical hopefuls. At each session, I utilized the AAMC practice question bank to guide my students through MCAT content matter and test-taking strategies. This experience helped develop my abilities in teaching basic science concepts and granted me experience in mentorship of various age groups and levels of expertise, which will serve me well in my future educator roles as resident and attending.

For three semesters, I served as a teaching assistant for the Biology 1 and 2 laboratories. Each week, I assisted in lab procedures, graded lab reports, and held office hours available to all students in the department. For each student, I modified my teaching methods in ways that fit their learning style. For example, in teaching the technique of PCR, I drew out the details for visual learners and narrated the process for auditory learners. I frequently innovated practice lab scenarios and observed the students’ problem-solving skills, afterwards offering guidance on different approaches and conceptualizations of the scenario. I envision a similar relationship in teaching and communicating with medical students and residents as I advance through my career.

For two years, I worked in the Washington University’s office for disability accommodations and other learning assistance programs. In this capacity, I assisted several administrators in managing their schedules, fielding phone calls from students and their parents, and running each of the Learning Center’s programs. In my second year, I was promoted to the newly created role of Lead Student Assistant where I aided in the hiring process of other student assistants and was in charge of organizing the front desk coverage schedule, assigning responsibilities, and ensuring project completion. This experience prepared me for understanding the various administrative processes of large healthcare systems and for serving as a Chief Resident and attending physician in the future.