Inside the ER: EMRAP Round 2 (Overcoming Obstacles)

As I have talked about before, I struggle with approaching doctors and being more social in the ER. As long as I do my job, I think that I am doing great things with my internship. However, there are times when there is no one to be consented for my clinical research, and this is a great time to socialize with medical staff. Yet, I am always so scared and shy because I feel that I would just be hampering their time. So, over the past few weeks, I have been trying to change that. During downtime, I walk around and ask doctors if I can shadow them. Some would decline politely, others would say yes but forget, and some say yes and take me everywhere. By shadowing doctors, I am able to be more confident with myself and am able to pass the time more quickly during slow days in the ER. At home, I would think of potential questions that I can ask the doctors when I shadow them, and this has been a great help for me. Also, when I am feeling shy, I use one of the audits to walk around and observe the medical staff; by doing so, I am able to make myself present and more visible. Being more visible is key because eventually someone says hi! I have met new nurses and doctors this way, and I am more comfortable to approach them now. I also would go into the break room and chat with whoever is on break; I learned that this is a great way to talk to people without being a burden on their work or their time. During the summer, I used my downtime to study for my MCAT, when I should have used it to network and shadow the medical personnel. Now, I am learning how to communicate with the medical personnel, and I hope that I continue to develop my confidence and networking skills. 

Inside the ER: EMRAP Round 2 (Getting to Know Your Colleagues/Mentor)

Over the summer, I became very close to Nimra, one of the contingent chiefs. She served as my mentor that guided me through certain requirements for my job. However, she left EMRAP to work in the ER as a patient care technician, and I am so happy for her. A patient care technician is someone who helps nurses with daily tasks, such as taking blood and taking care of the patient’s needs. I have asked her for advice regarding the technician job because I have been considering getting a similar position for my gap year. She told me that I needed to get CPR/First Aid certified in order to apply for the job. Thanks to her, now I will be taking a course during winter so that I can apply for a patient care technician job in the ER.

Hiba is the best!

During these past few weeks though, I have become extremely close with Hiba, the other contingent chief. She has shared her experiences with me regarding her MCAT, her applications to med school, and EMRAP in general. She is always around during my shift, and we get coffee and chat about her med school application process and also about life in general. She has given me advice regarding my re-taking of my MCAT and also about my job at EMAP. She is pushing me to be more social with the doctors and nurses because I always see her greeting so many staff that I do not know. I would love to be a contingent for EMRAP during my gap year, and she has been showing me how to do that. She has taught me how to be more confident during my consent processes. She also has taught me how to engage others, and she has pushed me to take on more tasks at EMRAP. For instance, I am doing an extra audit that only Jake and I are doing because Hiba advised me to “make the most of the internship.”  Moreover, she has been a great friend as well! We have watched Boy Meets World during downtime during my shifts, and we bond over food and coffee! She has been a great mentor, and I hope that she gets into medical school! I admire her humbleness, intelligence, and perseverance. She is often quiet, but that is because she thinks about what she wants to say before saying anything. She is so much fun to be around because she talks about social justice and she also talks about movies that I would really love to watch. Hiba also is willing to try new experiences, and I am glad to help her out regarding certain situations. Thank you Hiba!

Hiba and I coming up with fun names for the EMRAPers

Inside the ER: EMRAP Round 2 (Environment)

After coming back from a hiatus from EMRAP, I realized how much I missed being in class and being at work with my fellow EMRAPers. The environment does not seem to too different as similar faces are still around the Emergency Department. I feel as though the ER is more welcoming now because I am recognized by some nurses and doctors. I often chat with a nurse named Bill about life or about interesting cases in the ER that I’ve missed, and he always comes up with some witty answers. Though, one thing I do need to work on is to be more confident and to build a network in the ER; I still feel intimidated by doctors—maybe it’s their white coat or maybe the fact that they always look so busy.

As for diversity, it’s very interesting to note the demographics of the ER. At first, I always thought that there was a majority of white people in the department, but I have seen different races as well! They often celebrate each other and learn from each other by bringing food and sharing them with everyone. My favorite event was when some nurses brought in different snacks for their meeting so that they can experience each other’s food and learn some bit of culture. Also, the people in the ER are hilarious and are talented! The other day I witnessed some doctors singing in the break room, and when one couldn't sing, he just started to dance. It was very entertaining, and I realized that little moments like that are what keeps the long days very short for medical staff. 

In terms of surroundings, our classroom use to be in this one room where it was always cold. We always had to fix the temperature every time! However, there was a day when our room was occupied, and we needed to have class at a different room. This new room was more spacious and less cold, and maybe because of this change, we seemed to participate more in discussions and other activities. Also, because we have gotten to know each other for some time know, class seems to be more fun! People are more talkative and are willing to get together outside of class! People have intellectual discussions, which is a great way to learn and also broaden one’s horizons. I’m really glad to have this internship because it serves as a break from my classes!

Overcoming Obstacles

One difficult obstacle I had to overcome was the fast pace at which my coworkers and the paid employees of Fox Sports Radio work at. The language and technology aspect of the radio industry was definitely hard to grasp at first, and I had to learn and study the software programs at home before I could work at the speed that was normal. Learning the technology of the radio station was crucial to my success, and directly correlated to understanding the job and providing the talk show hosts with everything they need, information wise.

CEO For a day

If i was CEO for the day of my workplace at Fox Sports Radio, I would be in heaven. I would love to get on the air occasionally, lead the talk show hosts in their conversations and direct the producers in the right direction of the way I would want the sports talk to go. The cohesive unit that I worked for all depended on the "CEO" or the boss of the whole station, and the compatability of the boss and the employees is critical in this industry. I would make sure the shows were running smoothly and make sure everyone is getting along, on the same page, and is prepared. There is no room for surprises on the radio and the hosts most always be prepared for any questions or information they might need at a seconds notice.

Looking Back - David Rosenthal

Looking back at my internship at Fox Sports Radio Los Angeles, I could not be happier with my experience. I gained valuable information and experience in an industry in which I now wish to pursue my career in. My boss told me that my internship is a highly coveted one, and the girl who had it last year was offered her own talk show, albeit in Colorado, but right out of college. I am in contact with my boss and supervisor now and pursuing all potential opportunities that could arise out of this. I am so grateful I had the chance to work and intern at Fox this summer.

Reflection

I am currently writing this almost 2 weeks after I wrapped up my internship at the Los Angeles Kings sales and service department. Looking back, although a bit cynical, I tend to think about all that I hoped to learn but never got the chance to. However, as I reflect on the experience more and more, I've become a bit more optimistic regarding all that I took away from my time at those offices this summer. This opportunity was no ordinary circumstance, and I was incredibly grateful to even of had the chance to work for a professional sports team. In reality, I shouldn't have gone in there with such sizable expectations. I was still only 19 years old with little knowledge or experience in the areas of sales or office work. But, it was a stepping stone. And as cheesy as it sounds, it's true. Over the course of the summer, I was introduced to the workings of spreadsheets, sales calls, boss/employee relationships, and much more. So, after absorbing all these helpful resources and experiences, I've realized I have no reason to complain about all the tedious and stale work of an intern, but rather to appreciate it.

300 Continental Blvd
El Segundo, CA
The offices of the Los Angeles Kings

Highlight of the viewing party outside Staples Center during
the King's Stanley Cup run.