Major: Neuroscience
Profession: Medical Student
Hometown: Lāhainā, Hawaii
What are you doing now?
I’m currently a third-year medical student at the University of Hawai’i John A. Burns School of Medicine, making my way through my inpatient hospital clerkships while navigating life as a new father.
How did you get there?
I applied to medical school during the early days of COVID after deciding I didn’t want to delay my career any longer. I applied for some vastly different jobs immediately after graduating from Pomona, but they didn’t end up working out. I was initially quite sad that these job applications didn’t pan out, but I think ultimately, I ended up exactly where I am supposed to be.
How did Pomona prepare you?
Pomona is an extremely well-respected institution for a very good reason. The academic rigor and intensity I experienced helped prove to myself the strength of my capabilities as a student. I was a transfer veteran student, so I didn’t have the full four years on campus to seize every opportunity available to me, but I still did a lot in my limited time. That being said, I wish I had sought out more opportunities for publishing research because those types of things can really strengthen your CV long term. The connections you get to make with the wonderful faculty at Pomona are sure to benefit you wherever you end up.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope to be either graduating from residency or close to it. Currently, I have my eyes set on pursuing residency training in ophthalmology. I became fascinated with vision during my favorite class at Pomona, Vertebrate Sensory Systems with Professor Karl Johnson, and I am very excited to potentially pursue a career in ophthalmology pending where I match for residency.