How has ISM benefitted Prachi Khanna?

"ISM has provided me with a passion that I carry with me even today. I was able to spend my senior year of high school building a relationship with my mentor that blossomed into a beautiful mentorship as I was able to work alongside my mentor at her first dermatology clinic. Even today, when I doubt my career choice or find the pre-med journey to be difficult, I think back to my time in ISM and the reason that I decided to enter this path in the first place, as it helps me find strength in the face of adversity and obstacles."

What was a challenge they faced and overcame?

"When I originally contacted my mentor, she told me that she wouldn't be able to provide me with a solid mentorship or much of her time, but I was so eager to gain experience that I was perfectly fine with the small amount of time she could give me. In the beginning, I shadowed her maybe once a month on Thursday mornings, but as the second semester hit she started allowing me to shadow her more. Eventually, I was able to gain her trust and show to her that I was hard-working and she helped license me as a medical assistant and offered me a full-time position as a medical assistant at her clinic. This experience taught me two main lessons. First, you have to approach each opportunity with an open mind and a will to learn. Second, you pave your own path."

Advice

"Spend some time and think about the topic of study that you intend to pursue during your time in ISM and try to refrain from selecting career choices based on someone else's passion. This is your life and you should pursue a career path that will bring you happiness and a sense of purpose. Don't stick to convention because you don't want to wake up every day and go to a job you hate for the rest of your life. So take your time in ISM as a blessing. This is a time for you to explore and develop a passion that you can use to pull you through the rigors of education."