College Experiences That Helped A Senior Clinical Trial Coordinator At UCLA Health Succeed

Counterintuitively, I think the most important thing I did was not focus all of my time on science. I was a biochemistry major, so I spent all four years taking a huge assortment of classes. This is one of the reasons I believe having a strong scientific background is crucial.

You literally need that in clinical research, especially in healthcare. So please keep doing that; I'm not saying you shouldn't study. Please go study and take interest in your science classes.

But having variety in what you do either confirms that science is for you or triggers curiosity to combine science with something else or go elsewhere. This variety was so important to prevent burnout and to make yourself a well-rounded individual.

For classes, I took psychology, architecture, and many history classes. Some friends took pottery, art history, and other interesting courses. We were trying to find the most engaging classes.

For example, even though I was pre-med and heavily into my upper-division science courses, my favorite and one of the most important classes I ever took at UCLA was "Psychics, Aliens, and Ghosts." I know you might be laughing, but it was important because you need to question what is right in front of you.

This skill is huge in science and in digesting any material you read. Do you really believe this? Can you explain why not? The class was fun, and the teacher didn't try to convince us of anything. It was about exploring what you actually believe in and where you are curious enough to explore.

I applied the lessons learned in that classroom to the variety of extracurriculars I pursued. I did volunteering and leadership roles, including being a social director.

In this specific career, you need a science background, to be organized, detail-oriented, and a multitasker. You also need emotional intelligence, which develops over time. But people skills are vital – being able to read a room and not just be a task-doer. You have to develop your own critical thinking.

Having variety in undergrad classes and extracurriculars was very important to me. I also wish I had a bit more variety in my friendships. I was happy with my supportive pre-med group, as we understood each other and shared the same struggles.

But I also had friends in accounting, economics, history, and psychology who weren't pre-med. To set yourself up for success and to understand what you want, variety helps a lot. It either pushes you in a direction or sparks curiosity.

Also, in undergrad, saying no to things that looked good on a resume but I had no interest in was important. This opened up mental space to find something relevant in healthcare that I truly wanted to do, in my own way.

For me, that was co-presidency leadership in an organization I ran for underserved communities lacking health insurance. It was very related to healthcare, not directly in the sciences, but that leadership component was important.

In clinical research, I want to help people. Cancer research is very important to me, especially since my grandmother was afflicted with cancer and recently passed away. But just understand your purpose. Giving yourself space to explore is fine. We are all young, and we don't always know what we want, but make sure you really do.