Sarah Mercival

Describe the steps you took prior to obtaining your internship.
   I started researching different opportunities within Tallahassee since I knew I would be residing here for the summer. Considering that I will attend medical school in the future, I knew I needed to have clinical experience to show that I actually have explored the medical field, love it, and display some knowledge about it. I was blessed with the opportunity of being enrolled in a medical assistant course, which in the end resulted in being offered an internship. I had to take advantage of this opportunity and I did so by completing and passing the course and being matched to a specialty of my choosing, which was Family Medicine and Pediatrics.

How far in advance did you prepare and begin applying for your experiential learning opportunity?
   I began preparing for my opportunity in January of 2021. I wanted to make sure that I was well-equipped mentally and physically for this amazing opportunity. 

If you used any Career Center services, resources, or events to obtain your internship, what were they?
   I began preparing for my opportunity in January of 2021. I wanted to make sure that I was well-equipped mentally and physically for this amazing opportunity. 

Describe some of your responsibilities or duties during your internship, and what a typical day was like "on the job".
   Some of my responsibilities and duties included bringing patients back into a room, taking vitals, performing electrocardiograms, setting appointments, explaining procedures, administering vaccines, and giving injections. I also updated and filed patients’ medical records, sent tests to the lab, and performed blood draws.

Every day was a little different from the previous being that people come in for different reasons. This fueled my excitement and curiosity to learn. My days were consumed with helping clients of all ages, whether it pertained to a minor case like a cough, or something urgent like a hospital visit, the office was always eager and willing to help everyone out. My typical day would be very busy at times due to a busy schedule, so I would be given all of one of many provider's clients. I would begin by triaging the patient and assisting the provider with anything they may need like a physical copy of lab reports, EKG reports, or even basic tests.

What are some major takeaways from your experience? How will these help prepare you for the next step after graduation?
   I believe a major takeaway I had from this experience overall was being selfless, which is one of many key characteristics to have when wanting a career in medicine. Every day, I was tasked with a new challenge and I taught myself to look on the brighter side of things. I was also taught to be patient and work with those I was assisting, as certain things that they may have been going through were stressful.

Did this experience help clarify your career path? If yes, how so?
   This experience helped me confirm that I want a career in healthcare and cater to the needs of others, the simplest actions can brighten the darkest days and I am more than happy to serve as that vessel. Seeing how some of the simplest actions would bring a smile to a person's face brought happiness to mine. I found genuine happiness in assisting others. I did not grow tired or bored of helping take care of the children and older individuals. And I know I want nothing more than a career in medicine.