A blog by CAS/GPH undergraduate student Medha Nagasubramanian
Students considering NYU as the next step in their academic journey have likely heard the phrase “The city is your campus.” This can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. Literally speaking, NYU is not a closed campus: its buildings are integrated into New York City. So NYU students do not live in a bubble – we live side by side with doctors, lawyers, filmmakers, businesspeople, researchers, and all of the other people we aspire to be someday. Metaphorically speaking, NYU students learn not only in academic settings; we’re encouraged to explore the city, take advantage of the world-renowned institutions at our doorstep, and gain real-world experience that propels us towards our career goals.
In fact, it’s because of CAS’s career development resources that I just completed an internship in the neonatology department at NYU Langone Health. The Jack Carey Eichenbaum (JCE) Summer Scholars program is designed to introduce undergraduate and medical students to clinical research. As a Summer Scholar, I explored the field of neonatology (the study of newborn infants), was directly involved in a research project focusing on the impact of different protein sources on growth and the ability to feed in infants, and learned about the fundamentals of research methodology. I also had an opportunity to explore statistical analysis and present preliminary research findings.
I also gained clinical experience by shadowing healthcare providers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which allowed me to better understand the significance of the research project I was working on; I was able to see firsthand how the development of feeding ability was essential for infants, and why it was important to nurture this progress. In addition, I worked closely with physicians, nurses, physician’s assistants, nutritionists and other care providers at different stages of their careers; this allowed me to learn from their experiences about their career trajectories and personal experiences, and narrow my own career goals.
Prior to this experience I had been interested in clinical research, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it or to learn the necessary skills. But now, with a summer of real-world experience in the field, I not only gained skills that will help me pursue research in the future, but I also realize that clinical research is something I want to pursue a career in. And with these experiences and skills under my belt, I’m better equipped to discover and participate in the innumerable other opportunities that New York City, and NYU, have to offer me.