Amidst all things crazy and unjust happening, I am beginning to start my two summer classes. I have chosen to take a chemistry + lab course and a physics + lab course this summer. When anyone finds this out, I’m told I’m crazy. Maybe I am? But maybe I’m just passionate about my career choice.

Growing up I was really stuck on just one career choice; pediatrics. Before I knew the term, I coined myself a “baby doctor”, then a “children’s doctor”, and finally, a “pediatrician”. I so badly wanted to be a pediatrician and that was always my first answer to, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” The only thing 8-year-old Mackenzie knew about becoming a doctor was that it was going to take me at least 10 years of higher education to begin practicing. I didn’t take into account the busy schedule, the long hours, and missing out on family life until much later in life.

Years after my pediatrics dream, I was overwhelmed with all the career options in the health field. I went back and forth between so many careers, but especially orthodontics and physical therapy. I did a physical therapy internship at Serc PT and genuinely liked the field. Seeing progress in patients and the joy it brought them is what sold me. So, as an exercise science major, PT fit perfectly.

Going into my first year at Saint Mary, I was set on PT. As an exercise major there are certain course requirements we must meet in order to obtain the degree at the end. One of these classes was Introduction to Health Professions which showcased several career fields I could choose from. This is where I found Physician Assistant. I absolutely fell in love.

Unlike common belief, PA’s do not literally assist the physician by hugging their hip. Instead, PA’s have their own autonomy, diagnose, prescribe, and care all under a physician. The PA career is much like a nurse practitioner; instead of nursing school background, PA’s have medical school background. Instead of the 10+ years it would take me to be a pediatrician, I will obtain my Masters in Physician Assistant Studies, and then specialize and be able to practice medicine that way.

PA’s also get to specialize just like a doctor. Once graduated from PA school, I’ll then choose a specialty to try and maybe stick with. Since my bachelors degree will be in Exercise Science, I am wanting to specialize in sports medicine. However, family medicine and gynecology are also top options.

Medicine has always been my number one career choice. I am so excited that I’ve found a career that allows for a work-life balance, good pay, my own autonomy, and many more perks. I chose to go into medicine because my biggest aspiration in life is to help as many people possible.

With the recent Corona Virus outbreak and now the continuing fight for black and brown lives, this has only solidified my career choice. As someone who receives the most joy when advocating and caring for people and patients in need, I find that this is my true calling. Whether you are black, brown, white, Asian, Hispanic, etc., I will always give my best foot forward.

I don’t say this often enough, but I am proud of the person I am. I was given the opportunity to form my own values and beliefs. I will continue to advocate for what I believe in and what I stand for.

PA has given me something new to look forward to and be excited about. I am pursuing a career in medicine, which has always been important to me. I think being a Physician Assistant is what I was made to do.