Student Success Statement

“I will persist until I succeed.”

Og Mandino

This quote is saying that you should always keep trying to succeed no matter what happens. I agree with this quote, you should always try your hardest and never give up. An example I could give is when I started drawing. I started drawing ever since I could remember but it wasn’t until I was around 8 until I wanted to improve and actually express myself with drawing. I tried really hard to self-improve and I was very proud of my work, I would always show it to my friends. Even though at the time I was terrible, in my eyes I was really good. Everybody I would show my drawings to would always compliment me and congratulate me but only because I was young and unaware. Eventually I caught on to their lies and wanted to improve greatly, so I started drawing complex things like realistic figures, intricate patterns, different perspectives, etc. My mistake was that I should’ve tried something simpler because I would insist that I was a master in drawing. Anyways the point is, no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get anywhere but all that practice paid off because when I got older and learned new techniques, I exponentially increased my drawing skill and am doing 100x better than before.

Perfusionist

Duties and Responsibilities: A Perfusionist is required to concentrate for long periods of time while keeping a record of the patient's vital signs throughout surgery. They must notify the surgeon immediately of any changes, and be prepared to respond quickly to the surgeon's requests. They must be detail-oriented, follow instructions thoroughly, and respond well to emergency situations. Perfusionists are required to work well under pressure, be able to work well independently, and may be needed for post-operative support concerning the patient.

Salary: $50,000

Education: Perfusionist training programs are given at academic health centers and medical schools and universities.  They emphasize hands-on, practical training.  Course length varies, but for the school to be recognized by the American Academy of Cardiac Perfusionists, the curriculum must include the supervised performance of 150 procedures to include 20 pediatric and infant cases.

Reflection: I would not like to be a Perfusionist because it seems like I would need a lot of patience and be good on the spot, which I’m not.

Student Success Statement

“Nothing in the world can take place of PERSISTENCE.

TALENT will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

GENIUS will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

EDUCATION will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

President Calvin Coolidge

30^th president of the US (1872-1933)

This quote from Calvin Coolidge is an impressive one. Basically what he is saying is that talent, genius, and education alone can only get you so far. What you need in order to get far in life is perseverance. I agree with this quote. I think that I actually have a lot of talent, a lot of intelligence, and a respectable amount of education, but I don’t have any perseverance. I could get anywhere in life if I just try hard enough which I never do. I have made myself content with being an average student who is barely passing some of his classes when he has the potential to be an A student. And just last month I was asked to participate in an art gallery and I didn’t enter anything due to procrastination. Imagine what I could’ve done if I just tried hard enough. So yeah I agree with the quote, these qualities will only get you so far, but if you have perseverance, you can get anywhere.

Patient Representative

Duties and Responsibilities: The Patient Representative's role is to provide the advisory committee and FDA insight on issues, problems, and/or questions pertinent to the viewpoint of patients and family members living with a specific serious or life-threatening disease. S/he serves as either a voting or non-voting member of the advisory committee. At the conclusion of each meeting, the Patient Representative will be encouraged to provide OSHI with a brief summary of his/her experience on the advisory committee and suggestions for enhancing patient representation, if any.

Salary: $20,000 - $40,000

Education: As a patient representative, you should work well with others have a calming bedside manner. You should have knowledge of basic medical office procedures and medical terminology. You need to be proficient in medical reimbursement billing and bookkeeping if your duties include handling medical office’s finances. You also need to be tactful, discreet, and trustworthy since you have access to confidential health information.

Reflection: No I would not, It looks like it is a lot of responsibility.

Student Success Statement

“Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.”

Matt Biondi

This quote means that if you are persistent and you keep trying even after you fail over and over again, you will eventually succeed. I agree with this statement because it is true that you will succeed if you remain persistent, even if you fail at the end you will still be successful because you will fail with the knowledge that you gave it your all and you tried and never gave up.

Osteopathic Physician

Duties and Responsibilities: An osteopath is a healthcare professional who practices a system of manual medicine that focuses primarily on the musculoskeletal system. Osteopaths recognize that the body, especially the nervous, circulatory and gastro-intestinal systems, can be affected by dysfunction in body structure and tissues. Osteopaths use touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to treat a patient. The aim is to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension and boost the amount of blood supply to tissues. They may also provide advice on posture and exercise in order to help patients recover faster and prevent problems occurring again.

Salary: $140,000- $300,000

Education: The educational requirements to become an Osteopathic Physician include completing a minimum of 90 semester units from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent abroad at the time of application; submit official scores to AACOMAS for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT); scores cannot be older than three 3 years; provide proof of legal U.S. residency; candidates without a BA or BS are rarely admitted; Two letters of recommendation; Enrollment as a full time student (international applicants only)

Reflection: I would not like to be an Osteopathic Physician because it seems like I would need to get over my discomfort of touching random people which sounds pretty unpleasing to me.

Student Success Statement

“The answers to these questions will determine your success or failure:

1.   Can people trust me to do what’s right?

2.    Am I committed in doing my very best?

3.   Do I treat people the way I want to be treated?

If the answers to these questions are YES, there is no way you can fail.”

Lou Holtz

What Lou is trying to say is that if you honestly answer these three questions and the answers are yes, then you will gain happiness within yourself and your life. I guess I agree with his “rule book”. I can honestly answer these questions and be content with my results. 1. Can people trust me to do what’s right? Of course they can. I am extremely trustworthy.

2. Am I committed in doing my very best? Uh… sure. Well maybe not. I guess I have to work on that.

3. Do I treat people the way I want to be treated? Of course I do. I learned at a very young age to treat people with respect and kindness so that you may be treated the same way.

Optometrist

Duties and Responsibilities: Optometrists examine patients' eyes, test their sight, give advice on visual problems and prescribe and fit spectacles or contact lenses when needed. They are trained to recognize diseases of the eye, such as glaucoma and cataract, as well as general health conditions such as diabetes. They refer patients to medical practitioners when necessary, as well as sometimes sharing the care of patients with chronic conditions. Most of these activities involve the use of specialist equipment.

Salary:  $129,385 - $203,230

Education:  The OD degree requires completion of a four-year program at an accredited optometry school, preceded by at least three years of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. Most optometry students hold a baccalaureate or higher degree. To be accepted into optometry school, you first must take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), which is given at Prometric Center Testing Centers. You can register for the OAT through the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). Once you have your OD in hand, you have to pass the licensure exam, which consists of both clinical and written portions. In most states, however, the written portion has been replaced with the exams given during the student's academic career by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO).

Reflection: I would not like to be an Optometrist because I am not really interested in this career.

Student Success Statement

“Never look to the ground for your next step. Greatness belongs to those who look to the horizon.”

Bud Greenspan

I think that this quote means that in order to plan out success, you should not try to think of what you are going to do now but what you are going to achieve. I think this is a nice quote and I guess I agree with it because it is a simple idea and an idea that is true. In order to gain success it is wise to have in mind the achievement that you will get instead of thinking about the tasks that you need to do.

Orthotist

Duties and Responsibilities: Orthotists design medical support devices and they measure and fit patients for them. The medical support devices include artificial limbs such as arms, hands, legs, and feet. Orthotists are often associated with Prosthetists because they are both similar professions.

Salary: $25,000 - $40,000

Education:    You might want to look into some colleges and universities that offer bachelor degrees in orthotic and prosthetic programs.  These programs include courses in anatomy, physics, mathematics, mechanical drawing, and the use of materials used in the making of devices.  After a year of experience a person may apply for certification.

Reflection: I would not like to be an Orthotist simply because it doesn’t interest me.

Summary of John F. Kennedy Video

In the video, John F. Kennedy explained that he wishes that every youth shall excel in both their mental and physical fitness. His reasoning was that a country is only as strong as its citizens. He also thought that mental fitness and physical fitness come hand in hand. I agree with what he is saying except for the last part. I thought it was a brilliant idea to have the youths of the nation to focus on their physical health as well as their mental health. If his plan would’ve worked out, imagine the difference it would’ve made on society today, I wonder why his plan didn’t follow through. Anyway I don’t agree with him when he says that mental health and physical health come hand in hand, but I’ve already said why in a previous post. But anyway, ways that I will stay healthy are to not do drugs, not eat junk food, and exercise at least once a decade.

Student Success Statement

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body; it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. The relationship between the soundness of the body and the activities of the mind is subtle and complex. Much is not yet understood, but we do know what the Greeks knew: that intelligence and skill can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and strong.”

Former President John F. Kennedy

Basically what I understand from this quote is that you can only be truly at your peak in mental fitness if you are at your peak in physical fitness. I disagree with this quote. I disagree because I don’t think that the only way to reach your peak mentally is to reach your physical peak. I believe that you can reach your mental peak without the need to perfect your physical health.  I’m not saying that you should give up on your physical health altogether, but it is easy to neglect your physical aesthetics when you are excelled in your mental state. This also is true vice versa; it’s easy to neglect your intelligence when you are excelled in your physical state. I am not saying that there isn’t someone out there who is peaked in both their mental and physical states, but I am saying that it is not necessary for the only way to have your mental state to peak only because your physical health is peaked.

Optician

Duties and Responsibilities: Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames.

Salary: $19,000 - $40,000

Education: Becoming an optician requires a high school diploma or an approved GED equivalent, followed by formal education and training or an apprenticeship.

Many opticians go to college for a two-year associate’s degree in optcianry, which involves coursework in basic anatomy, eye anatomy, algebra and trigonometry, optical physics and mathematics and administration. They also learn about precision measuring equipment and techniques and optical instrumentation. More advanced studies include classes on fitting contact lens and vision prosthetics.

Whether opticians study at a community college or university, it is recommended that students choose an optcianry program that is accredited by the Commission on Optcianry Accreditation, a nationally recognized professional board.

Reflection: I do not think I would like to be an optician. I don’t think I would want to be an optician because I saw that you need to be good at algebra and trigonometry, and I am not good in math.

Student Success Statement

“No student ever attains eminent success by simply doing what is required of him/her; it is the amount and excellence of what is over and above the required that determines the greatness of ultimate distinction.”

Charles Kendall Adams, American Historian

Basically what this quote is trying to say is that you will never get recognized as someone who is successful if you just slack off and do what is expected of you. You need to do more than what is expected from you in order to get acknowledged as someone who contains greatness, if you only do as the requirements ask of you then you will just be seen as normal or average.

Optical Laboratory Technician

Duties and Responsibilities: An optical technician is an eye wear specialist whose job it is to make prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. While many steps in the production process have been automated, there are some tasks that still require the expertise of a technician. The most fundamental role in manufacturing eyeglasses is the cutting of lenses to match the prescription written by the ophthalmologist or an optometrist following an eye exam. Secondary tasks include shaping of the lenses so that they fit into frames properly, customization of lenses to include dyes and coatings, polishing of lenses, the assembly of lenses and frames, and ensuring that the end product meets the highest standards of quality. An optical technician must be skilled in all of these tasks in order to be successful.

Salary: $15,000 - $20,000

Education: There are very few educational requirements for becoming an optical technician. Most technicians learn the required skills through hands-on training. Employers generally expect technicians to have at least a high school diploma. Most businesses will start the training process with basic tasks such as marking and blocking lenses followed by more advanced skills like edging, grinding, and cutting lenses. Throughout the training process, employers will be assessing a technician’s ability to notice minor imperfections as well as their ability to work with their hands. A technician must be able to ensure precision in all finished products.

Reflection: I would not like to be an Optical Laboratory Technician because I am not good at noticing minor imperfections nor am I good with my hands.

Student Success Statement

“Doing what is right, fair, and honorable, is more important than winning or losing.”

Chick Moorman

This quote means that it is better to play fair and with honor than to actually win or lose. As long as you are honorable and fair then it does not matter if you win or lose, it just matters that you played fair. Even if you do win but you were unfair and not honorable then the win doesn't even matter, it’s worthless. If you lost but you played fair and with honor then it is a lost worth winning because you stayed true and did not do wrong.

Ophthalmologists

Duties and Responsibilities: Ophthalmologists are medically trained doctors with specialist skills in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the eye and visual system. Most aim to become consultants, where the role combines the technical skills of a micro surgeon with the therapeutic and diagnostic skills of a doctor.

Salary:  $90,000 - $150,000

Education: Many medical school programs in ophthalmology advise students to enroll in pre-ophthalmology or pre-optometry bachelor's degree programs. These programs are usually rigorous and prepare students to take the Optometry College Admission Test. These programs usually contain at least one year of biology, chemistry, physics, math and physiology. Microbiology and statistics are also parts of most programs.

Reflection: I guess I could see a version of myself becoming an Ophthalmologist because I think eyes are interesting and if I was passionate in helping people see then I would definitely try to become an ophthalmologist.

Student Success Statement

“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself.”

Henry Ward Beecher

I think that this quote is meaning to say that you should always think of yourself in a way where you can always do better, you can always improve and you shouldn't excuse yourself as in you shouldn't ever let yourself slack off or give up. I do not completely agree with this statement because even though it is perfectly fine to always do your best and to reach for the stars, it should be known that it is healthy to give up or relax once in a while. I didn't say that it is okay to completely give up on everything, I just said to relax and take it easy once every blue moon or so.

Ophthalmic Technician

Duties and Responsibilities: An Ophthalmic Technician will test and measure eye function and tests patient's far acuity, near acuity, peripheral vision, depth perception, and color perception to diagnose and treat eye disorders and disease. An ophthalmic technician will also examine eye using a slit lamp, for abnormalities of cornea, and anterior and posterior chambers, and apply drops to anesthetize, dilate, or medicate eyes. Other duties include measuring intraocular pressure of eyes, testing patient's field of vision, including central and peripheral vision for defects, measure axial length of eye using ultrasound equipment, and perform other tests and measurements as requested by physician.

Salary: $14,000 - $25,000

Education: Students will need a high school diploma (or GED certificate) and two years of college prior to beginning ophthalmic training programs.  These programs may vary in length, but can take up to two years to complete.

Reflection: I guess if I was passionate about the subject, I could become an ophthalmic technician because I think that it doesn’t take that long to become one and the pay is pretty good.

Student Success Statement

“Goal setting is goal getting. Set and Get.”

Mark Victor Hansen

This quote basically means that if you plan your goals then there will be a higher chance of you achieving your goals. This is relatively true because you can’t really achieve your goals if you don’t plan them out first. 

Operating Room Technician

Duties and Responsibilities: The Operating Room Technician will usually be in charge of the following duties: Preparing the operating room, Making sure all necessary supplies and surgical tools are sterile and ready, Keeping track of all items used during surgery to make sure nothing gets misplaced, Providing other assistance during the operation, Delivering the patient to recovery, Cleaning up the operating room after surgery.

Salary: $16,000 - $22,000

Education:      A high school diploma or GED certificate is required.  Many vocational and junior colleges offer programs in operating room technology, and training may also be taken at large hospitals.  Programs vary between one year and two years.  Students receive training in medical terminology, physiology, and sterilization methods.  At the end of the training period students must pass an examination by the Association of Surgical Technologists to become certified.

Reflection: I would not like to become an operating room technician because it seems as if it would be an awful amount of work for just becoming the “assistant” and cleaning up after the main star. This seems pretty shallow but I feel as if obtaining this job would be equivalent to obtaining the supporting role except you have to do what prepare and clean up after the main star. i mean, just look how in that picture the "assistant" isn't even the center of the photo even though i searched for "Operating Room Technician" and this is what they gave me.