Interview a Purdue Student: Lauren Bellamy
Tell us about your interviewee. Include ALL of the following information:
· Full name (no nicknames, please)– Lauren Bellamy
· Phone number and Purdue email address– Phone number: (208)371-1429 Email- bellamyl@purdue.edu
· Name of college and major– Developmental and Family Science (College of Health and Human Sciences), Political Science (College of Liberal Arts)
· Date the interview took place– September 17th, 2018
· Their expected date of graduation– Spring of 2020
Why did you choose this major? Describe the process by which you decided on it.
Lauren has always been interested in Developmental and Family Sciences, wanting to understand how children interact with the world. This being said, she was going to be graduating a year and a half early, so she decided to add a double major. She picked political science because it would “pair well” with her first degree; her ultimate goal being performing research that can influence local politicians.
What are typical major classes like in terms of content, format, and instructor’s style of teaching? For example: emphasis on labs/lecture/discussion, small vs. large class sizes, etc.
For her Developmental and Family Sciences degree, the majority of the classes consist of very standard classes with only about a fourth of the credits needed for a major being major specific. Lauren decided on a concentration in child development. The remaining classes are a mixture of electives, selective and a capstone project (either a study abroad, an internship or a research project). For her political science degree, there are few lectures with the majority of her classes being discussion based. The biggest size class she has been a part of consisted of about 150 people maximum.
What has been your favorite class? What did you learn, and why was it your favorite?
Lauren’s favorite class was Women in Public Policy. This is due to the fact that this class continuously touched on new topics each week, while also connecting and building on past topics, and the class was also discussion based. She learned how to connect and understand women to different political topics while approaching the same issues from different perspectives.
Which classes have been the toughest? What made them tough?
The most challenging class for Lauren was her Nutrition class. This was due to the fact that the class was a very self-led class, requiring lots of self-discipline. This was for her Developmental and Family Sciences degree second science requirement.
What skills and abilities do students need in order to be successful in this major?
The most beneficial skill and ability that will help a student get an upper hand in this major would be a personal interest in the area that they are studying. Having an interest in a certain topic, the person is likely to have some knowledge of some of the topics and will then not be as reliant on having an introduction to a topic.
What are you planning to do after graduation? Do students in this major typically need or want to go to graduate school? What types of careers do students with this major typically go into? After graduation, Lauren’s goal, is to do research that will inform politicians and institutes on issues and legislation related to children and their wellbeing. Her main focus will be on influencing local politicians, with the possibility of building up to larger scale members of the government. Graduate school is not required with her research interest, however, after working for a few years, she is open to the idea of returning to school for a PhD if she discovers that that would be beneficial.
What extra-curricular opportunities related to the major have you experienced, or can you recommend? (Examples could include campus activities and organizations, internships, research, or study abroad opportunities.)
For her Developmental and Family Sciences degree, she is involved in College Mentors for Kids as well as being a committee member that deals with any concerns that other people in this same major have. For her Political Science degree, Lauren participated in the debate team for her first few years here at Purdue, Purdue college democrats club, and Purdue student government (specifically the diversion and inclusion board).
Ask one additional thoughtful question of your own. Write the question here; then answer it!
Question: What is the ideal type of research you would like to participate in once you have started working?Answer: She would like to design programs for research. This includes correcting surveys and research that is being done with children, but that do not properly reflect the specific needs of children compared to the needs of adults.
After the interview, reflect on this: Are you still considering this major now that you have learned more? Why or why not?
When deciding to interview Lauren, I was interested in her political science major. One thing that was brought to my attention that I would have noticed otherwise, is how political science may serve best as a second degree. It seems to serve as a tool to bridge people with different focuses, for example connecting children and their needs to politicians. While I am very much still interested in this major, I might begin to look into it as a minor rather than a second major. This is due to the fact that I already have an interest in double majoring in Spanish. I personally do not see myself being able to connect these two majors in a way that they would be anything more than a support tool.
Career Interview
Interview Questions
Tell us about your intervie
wee. Include the following information:
Name: Casey Wallace
Phone #: 317-260-9799
Name of Employer: OrthoIndy Northwest
Official Job Title: Staff Physical Therapist
Email Address: caseywallacedpt@yahoo.com
How the interview was conducted: Skype
In your own words, how would you describe your job/position and what you do? What’s a typical day like? If there isn’t a typical day, describe the tasks/activities that you spend a major part of your time on.
On a day to day, Casey spends about five to seven hours with patients. A session with a patient typically involves measuring the patient's progress from the last session, doing various stretches and exercises with the patient and setting and discussing goals and small activities that the patient can do at home to improve their progress. Once the patient has finished their session, she typically works on adjusting or creating the patient's treatment plan and occasionally doing paperwork related to insurance.
What do you enjoy most about your job? What do you dislike? What would you most like to change about your occupation if you could?
Her favorite aspect of physical therapy is the interaction with other people. Especially since she sees her patients on multiple occasions, she is able to really get to know the people she is working with. Additionally, she really enjoys the regular movement that her job requires. She has never really liked sitting around all day. This job allows her to stay active for large portions of her day. She dislikes when the patient hasn’t done any of the exercises at home that they’ve discussed and then gets frustrated about not making as much progress as they would like to see. If she could change one aspect of her occupation it would be incorporating more of a mental health aspect to the sessions.
If you were hiring a person for your job, what would you look for? What particular strengths, qualifications, and/or personal qualities do you believe contribute most to success and happiness in your line of work? Why?
Casey said that the one of the most invaluable characteristics that a physical therapist can have, in her opinion, is empathy and the ability to communicate well with others. Empathy really allows the physical therapist to understand what the patient needs and what they may be struggling with. She said that empathy has really helped her understand in what specific areas the patient is struggling with and focus on those aspect the next session. Communication is very helpful in this line of work because not only does she communicate with her patients throughout the entire session, but she also works alongside other physical therapists and consults with them frequently.
What were your childhood interests? What did you think you would be when you grew up?
Growing up, she was really interested in physical activities like sports and activities that allowed her to be with people, waitressing for example. When she was younger she thought she would be in some sort of protective service, like a police officer or an EMT.
What was your major in college (if you attended)? How well did your education prepare you? Does your work relate to any experiences or studies you had in college?
Casey was initially a psychology major, but then changed a biology major with a minor in psychology. Biology really helped prepare her for graduate school and gathering an understanding of the fundamental concepts that she learned in physical therapy school. Graduate school is what really prepared her for the actual workforce and would she would use in her day to day as a physical therapist.
Describe your career path... What was your first full-time job? What career changes did you make? What led you to your current occupation? What decisions did you make along the way?
Casey graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2008 and later received her doctorate of physical therapy in 2011. Her first full-time job was at Community North Physical Therapy and then later moved to OrthoIndy in 2015. At OrthoIndy she is able to work with more athletes, a specific area of interest in physical therapy, and what ultimately led her to move to OrthoIndy.
What have been the biggest influences on your career? And who has helped or influenced you along the way (mentors, co-workers, family members, friends...)?
Early on in her life, her mom had the greatest influence her. She always encouraged her to help others the best she can and to whatever she is passionate about. Professionally, other physical therapists that she has worked with have been very influential and helpful. Over the years, she has learned to ask those who have more experience for advice or input.
What sacrifices have you had to make for your career? What would you do differently? What do you value most now?
While she doesn’t regret anything, she feels like she has to sacrifice her love for travel to be really successful in this career field. However, she has found that while she can’t travel for work, her occupation does financially allow her to travel during her vacation.
Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn?
The first moment that comes to mind for Casey was her first economics in test in college. She’d failed that exam and the professor explicitly pointed, during class, at her grade and said, “this person, this person needs to drop out of this class.” Not only did Casey realize that economics was not her strong suit, but was pushed to accept criticism and move forward. She learned that success does not come easily and that it more often than not has to worked for.
What advice would you give a recent college graduate about your occupation? About life in general?
The advice that Casey has for recent college graduates is that learning does not finish once you have graduated from school. Some of the most valuable things that she has learned about her profession and life in general has come from her peers and mentors that she has met throughout her entire career. She has found that it’s often these people the teach you the most valuable lessons.
Ask one additional thoughtful question of your own. Write the question here:
Question: What is your ultimate goal when you’re working with your patients?
Answer: When it comes down to it, Casey really just wants to help her patients return to their lifestyle with less pain and limitations.
Attend a Special Event: An Evening with the Old Masters
Tell us about your event. Include ALL of the following information:
Official name/title of the event: Evening with the Old Masters
Date and location: On November 5th in Loeb Playhouse in Stewart
Sponsor associated with the event: Old Masters Organization
Describe, in your own words, the purpose of this event, who was in attendance, and why you chose this event as one of your activities.
The purpose of this event was to learn from a panel of distinguished Purdue alumni about “Leadership of a Lifetime.” The featured alumni, who have proven to be large influencers in their career fields, includes: Matt Booty, Andrea Chavez, Dr. Susan Lozier, Scott Niswonger, BJ Penn, Tarrus Richardson, Julie Schnieders, Patricia Stroup, Julie Wainwright, and Richard Rand. I choose this event because I wanted to learn from the best. I wanted to learn how these individuals have come to be so successful in their career fields and how they have overcome any challenges that they have faced along the way. During my time at Purdue, and beyond, I want to be a leader and take advantage of any opportunities I might encounter.
Name at least THREE interesting and/or new things you learned at this event.
- One of the most beneficial things you can be is open to know and try new things. This has the power to open a vast amount of doors in the future.
- Everything big and successful once started as a small idea. The key is to start small, start with an idea, and keep taking on step after another and just keep going.
- What can set you apart? Not following others, but rather learning from them and playing to your strengths and staying true to who you are.
What information did you learn that might help you in your major or career decision-making process? This information can be positive or negative in nature, since it could help you consider a possible major/career or totally rule it out.
I’ve learned that finding what I am passionate about will be the key to finding the right career and major. Once I have incorporated that passion into my day-to-day, success will come naturally. This event has taught me that when considering my career path, doing what I love should be the priority rather than getting caught up on the salary or a title. I’ve also learned that that change will be uncomfortable and it will come right when you just get comfortable. This has taught me that I must eventually get comfortable with the uncomfortable if I want to succeed and move up in the career field that I choose.
After the event, reflect on this: Are you still considering the theme of this event as a possible major and/or career? Why or why not? Use information gleaned from class or any of your inventory results to support your answer.
The theme of this event, “Leadership of a Lifetime,” is something that I will carry with me in whichever career path I choose. The knowledge these distinguished alumni have shared with me will help me in all aspects of my life, especially in my professional life. I will use these tools to climb the stairs of success.
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