Community Service Reflection

Although my main passion is architecture, I have always had another inclination to help people
and have thought about a career in the medical field. In order to explore this field further, I chose to step
out ofmy comfbrt zone and volunteer at a hospitaL Ultimately, my experience volunteering at the
hospital has confirmed fbr me that my passion lies with architecture; however, I was able to gain a
greater appreciation lbr what medical profssionals encounter on a daily basis and had the opportunity
to make connections with professionals that will help me in my future pursuits.
In order to explore a career in the medical field, I spoke to my teacher to inquire about
community resources and volunteer opportunities. She recommended that I register lbr a volunteer
orientation at Scripps Meimrial Hospital near my house in La Jolla. After applying for the orientation, I
was contacted by hospital staff to register for a two day training. Alter training, I had the opportunity to
select the volunteer experience in which I was must interested in participating. The choices ranged from
making prescription runs fur nurses, visiting with elderly patients,assisting visitors with hospital
directions, and working in the Operating Room I felt that if I was going to really get a hands on
experience ofwhat it was like to be a physician at the hospital, I would have to volunteer in the
Operating Room I was really lucky because they only had one position left and I signed up
immediately.
The first day I walked into the OR was the must crazy, finitastic, wonderful day. It was such a
small area, there were only 18 roon and yet I got lost for the first two days I volunteered. I met so
many new and kind people. The best part was that I got to be in the roomwatching surgeries. I had the
opportunity to watch heart, eye, bone, brain, and general surgeries. The opportunity to watch surgeries
gave me a greater understanding ofthe skill involved in becoming a surgeon. 1 feel that had I volunteered
elsewhere in the hospital, I would not have had the opportunity to really see what it was like to work
with patients.
Overall, my experience in the OR gave na greater perspective ofwhat it s like to work in the
ndical field. I had the opportunity to net prolssionals who could give n a hands on view on what
this career is all about. Through this experience, I was able to confinn that architecture is where my
passion lies and I can pursue this career with greater confidence.