Abian
Jan 1, 2023
Undergraduate / Anesthesiologist Assistant Personal Statement. How my background suits this profession. [3]
Please explain your motivation for selecting a career in healthcare and specifically why you are interested in becoming an anesthesiologist assistant. Describe how your personal and professional background will help you achieve your career goals and eminently suit you for this profession.
I need help trimming it to 4,500 characters, any feedback and editing is greatly appreciated. I would like to have my application submitted by January 7, 2023.
Growing up in a traditional Arab household, the importance of family was instilled in me very early on. When I was 12 years old, my maternal grandpa was experiencing symptoms of a heart attack and upon reaching the hospital was rushed into open heart surgery. Shortly after that, he and my grandma both had strokes within eight months of each other which left my grandpa with permanent short-term memory loss and them both bedridden. To see my grandparents suddenly go from an active farming lifestyle to needing constant care was jarring. I tried to help where I could when visiting over the years, whether it be with chores or giving them their medicine. I remember at one point searching their prescriptions online to understand how they work at a cellular level rather than just its basic function. My initial concern to help my grandparents evolved into a greater appreciation for chemistry, physiology, and healthcare. From then on, I started signing up for more science classes with the goal to go into medicine.
Throughout high school I was heavily involved in multiple sports and extra-curricular clubs while also dual enrolling. With hindsight I realize that I had spread myself too thin and my time-management skills were lacking, resulting with a 'C' letter grade in Statistics and Calculus. After graduating from high school and finishing those courses disappointingly, I knew I had to change my work ethic. For the remainder of my undergraduate, I made sure to take advantage of available tutoring sessions and join study groups for demanding classes while making connections with most of my instructors. Managing my workload more efficiently allowed me time to volunteer as an assistant coach for the girl's flag football team at my old high school and to even organize a senior research project where I investigated the relationship between mouthwash and post-exercise hypotension in ultramarathon runners. My research supervisor and anatomy professor, Dr. James Agnew, was a great mentor to me. As a retired Anesthesiologist, he often related lectures to his time when practicing and it was stimulating to listen to. Throughout my time under Dr. Agnew's mentorship, we had many conversations about his experience in medical school and his time practicing. Our discussions and my own reading helped me realize that I want to pursue a career in anesthesia where I can immediately address a problem and actively provide acute patient care. I initially planned on applying to medical school but the uncertainty of not matching into anesthesia was a major concern and I started looking into Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant's (CAA). The more I read, the more I felt that a CAA is the ideal profession for me. I knew to be certain of this I would need exposure, but at the time COVID-19 protocols were in effect and general anesthesia shadowing opportunities were difficult to obtain.
The last three semesters of my undergraduate were during the height of COVID-19 and the transition from in-person to online lectures was challenging as I learn better in a hands-on and group environment. Despite these changes, I had the motivation to finish strong as I would be the first person in my family to receive a bachelor's degree and wanted to share that award with my parents. They immigrated to America from the Middle East and constantly drilled in the importance of education to my three siblings and I so we could have better opportunities than what were available for them as my parents didn't have the chance to finish high school. My commitment to my family and building a solid work ethic helped me raise my GPA and I finished my bachelor's degree in biology with a Cum Laude distinction.
I instead decided to work and contribute to my family until the pandemic settled. I started working sales assistant for a wholesale electronics company, something completely unrelated to my degree and out of my comfort zone but I applied anyway because they offered remote work. At first my job was to keep track of market trends and which products are in greatest demand. Once conversant with the work field, I began taking initiative with negotiating sales and building interpersonal communications with clients. Within one year I was promoted to Inventory and Sales Assistant Manager and relocated to work at the company warehouse.
While I am performing well at my job, I still have the desire to become a CAA. I found shadowed opportunities at three different facilities so I could gain a more encompassed understanding of the profession. Seeing the anesthesia care team (ACT) model firsthand was an enlightening experience. The respect and comradery between the attendings, CAA's, and nurses showed me how even in a team setting there can be autonomy. How quickly a problem can be avoided or mediated with open communication, which I relate to with my experiences at my job and from when I was a coach. The level of care and compassion that the anesthetists provided to each patient was inspiring. Everything I observed just solidified my determination to become a CAA. Providing care and being an advocate to patients, some of whom who are experiencing the worst pain of their lives or suffering traumatic injuries, as a CAA is a rewarding career that I want to contribute to. Working in acute care with supervision from an attending anesthesiologist and being part of the ACT is an environment I could greatly flourish in. I contributed to my family and now I am ready to contribute to the community as a CAA.
Personal Statement Prompt
Please explain your motivation for selecting a career in healthcare and specifically why you are interested in becoming an anesthesiologist assistant. Describe how your personal and professional background will help you achieve your career goals and eminently suit you for this profession.
I need help trimming it to 4,500 characters, any feedback and editing is greatly appreciated. I would like to have my application submitted by January 7, 2023.
Growing up in a traditional Arab household, the importance of family was instilled in me very early on. When I was 12 years old, my maternal grandpa was experiencing symptoms of a heart attack and upon reaching the hospital was rushed into open heart surgery. Shortly after that, he and my grandma both had strokes within eight months of each other which left my grandpa with permanent short-term memory loss and them both bedridden. To see my grandparents suddenly go from an active farming lifestyle to needing constant care was jarring. I tried to help where I could when visiting over the years, whether it be with chores or giving them their medicine. I remember at one point searching their prescriptions online to understand how they work at a cellular level rather than just its basic function. My initial concern to help my grandparents evolved into a greater appreciation for chemistry, physiology, and healthcare. From then on, I started signing up for more science classes with the goal to go into medicine.
Throughout high school I was heavily involved in multiple sports and extra-curricular clubs while also dual enrolling. With hindsight I realize that I had spread myself too thin and my time-management skills were lacking, resulting with a 'C' letter grade in Statistics and Calculus. After graduating from high school and finishing those courses disappointingly, I knew I had to change my work ethic. For the remainder of my undergraduate, I made sure to take advantage of available tutoring sessions and join study groups for demanding classes while making connections with most of my instructors. Managing my workload more efficiently allowed me time to volunteer as an assistant coach for the girl's flag football team at my old high school and to even organize a senior research project where I investigated the relationship between mouthwash and post-exercise hypotension in ultramarathon runners. My research supervisor and anatomy professor, Dr. James Agnew, was a great mentor to me. As a retired Anesthesiologist, he often related lectures to his time when practicing and it was stimulating to listen to. Throughout my time under Dr. Agnew's mentorship, we had many conversations about his experience in medical school and his time practicing. Our discussions and my own reading helped me realize that I want to pursue a career in anesthesia where I can immediately address a problem and actively provide acute patient care. I initially planned on applying to medical school but the uncertainty of not matching into anesthesia was a major concern and I started looking into Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant's (CAA). The more I read, the more I felt that a CAA is the ideal profession for me. I knew to be certain of this I would need exposure, but at the time COVID-19 protocols were in effect and general anesthesia shadowing opportunities were difficult to obtain.
The last three semesters of my undergraduate were during the height of COVID-19 and the transition from in-person to online lectures was challenging as I learn better in a hands-on and group environment. Despite these changes, I had the motivation to finish strong as I would be the first person in my family to receive a bachelor's degree and wanted to share that award with my parents. They immigrated to America from the Middle East and constantly drilled in the importance of education to my three siblings and I so we could have better opportunities than what were available for them as my parents didn't have the chance to finish high school. My commitment to my family and building a solid work ethic helped me raise my GPA and I finished my bachelor's degree in biology with a Cum Laude distinction.
I instead decided to work and contribute to my family until the pandemic settled. I started working sales assistant for a wholesale electronics company, something completely unrelated to my degree and out of my comfort zone but I applied anyway because they offered remote work. At first my job was to keep track of market trends and which products are in greatest demand. Once conversant with the work field, I began taking initiative with negotiating sales and building interpersonal communications with clients. Within one year I was promoted to Inventory and Sales Assistant Manager and relocated to work at the company warehouse.
While I am performing well at my job, I still have the desire to become a CAA. I found shadowed opportunities at three different facilities so I could gain a more encompassed understanding of the profession. Seeing the anesthesia care team (ACT) model firsthand was an enlightening experience. The respect and comradery between the attendings, CAA's, and nurses showed me how even in a team setting there can be autonomy. How quickly a problem can be avoided or mediated with open communication, which I relate to with my experiences at my job and from when I was a coach. The level of care and compassion that the anesthetists provided to each patient was inspiring. Everything I observed just solidified my determination to become a CAA. Providing care and being an advocate to patients, some of whom who are experiencing the worst pain of their lives or suffering traumatic injuries, as a CAA is a rewarding career that I want to contribute to. Working in acute care with supervision from an attending anesthesiologist and being part of the ACT is an environment I could greatly flourish in. I contributed to my family and now I am ready to contribute to the community as a CAA.