“Going to the University of Arizona was the best thing I ever did!” A statement like this is not taken lightly especially when it comes from an MD/PhD student at the Stanford University School of Medicine. But, as Paul Hoover and two other UA graduates explained, your undergraduate experience is only the beginning of a lifetime of learning.

The Biology Career Series event held on September 29 provided over thirty students with information concerning unique post-undergraduate experiences. Funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the panel discussion had a variety of speakers ranging from CDC fellowship recipients to Peace Corps alumni.

First to speak was Malia Cranmer, a UA MCB graduate. Malia spent one year volunteering at an orphanage in Guatemala acting as a mother to eight children aged two to six years old. Arriving in Guatemala fluent only in English, Malia was confronted with overcoming a language barrier that separated her from the children. As time went on, Malia learned that five of the children she worked with were HIV positive. Seeing a desperate need to educate the children and her coworkers on HIV transmission prevention, Malia raised over $15,000 to fund her own educational program. Because of her experiences in Guatemala, Malia decided to get an MS in Public Health. Currently she is working on her MPH as well as her MD here at the UA College of Medicine.

Paul Hoover, a former UBRP student, graduated with a degree in MCB. Currently, he is an MD/PhD student at Stanford University. Not yet ready for medical school, Paul applied and was accepted to the NIH Academy his senior year. The program is designed for those interested in biomedical research as a career as well as having an interest in solving the health disparities in today’s world. Along with research experience, the NIH Academy provided Paul with weekly classes concerning the medical school application process (mock interviews, how to write a personal statement, etc.). Paul explained that one of the best things he learned in his year off was how to make new friends.

While Kim Phan works with the business aspect of science now, she left the UA with an MCB degree to pursue a fellowship with the CDC. Kim applied for and received the Emerging Infectious Disease fellowship sponsored by the CDC her senior year. In her two years with the CDC, Kim was able to publish three papers relating to her work with HIV and SFV in humans. Her work with HIV revolved around the production of a vaccine for the disease. Following her two years with the CDC, Kim decided to get her MBA from ASU. She is currently working for Accenture as an IT consultant (integrating new technology into existing systems).

Roy Simpson a Park Ranger at the Tumacacori National Historic Park in Arizona spoke about his experiences with the US Peace Corps. A two-time veteran of the Peace Corps, Roy spent his first two years in Niger and his second tour in Honduras. In both cases, Roy worked with land management; range management in Niger and the development of a national park in Honduras. Roy explained the Peace Corps as “the toughest job you’ll ever love.” The Peace Corp offers a variety of benefits including loan deferment, language skills, and job placement upon return, just to name a few. Roy told of how the Peace Corps changed his life, saying that he dreams about going back.

Karna Walter concluded the panel discussion with information concerning nationally competitive scholarships for students. Karna is the Director of Nationally Competitive Scholarships here at the UA. For those interested in international study/research, the Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships are just for you. Both are highly competitive and offer the opportunity for students to follow their academic passions overseas. Karna encourages all students interested in these scholarships to make an appointment with her to discuss their options.

I asked the presenters whether they felt they learned more from their undergraduate experience or their time off following graduation. Each one responded the same way; explaining that a traditional education is always important, but the maturity and identity you obtain outside of the classroom will have the greatest impact on your life. Walking away from the discussion the central theme of the night resonated in my head, “The better you get to know yourself, the better you’ll be able to help other people.”

Andrew Lemieux, UBRPer in Dr. Erik Henriksen’s lab, Physiology