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At this juncture in your life, what would be your ideal
career and why?
I
am most interested in a career in psychoneuroimmunology. Scientists
who work in this area study the biological connection between
the mind and immunological factors relating to health and
healing. This is my ideal occupation because it includes my
two criteria for a career: I would be doing something to benefit
society and performing a job that is enjoyable, challenging
and meaningful to me.
Throughout
the ages, scholars have tried to find ways to alleviate human
pain. Although multitudes of procedures have been tried, none
have been completely successful. Drugs can relieve pain temporarily
or ease the symptoms of a disease. Antibiotics can cure some
illnesses but not every one and not instantaneously. Regardless
of the outcome of disease and treatment, the patient may have
to endure a great deal of pain. The mind, however, can be
a powerful tool. If people could learn to rehabilitate themselves
quicker with a positive attitude, we could, on the practical
side of things, reduce hospital stays and increase productivity,
and, in general, lead longer, happier, and healthier lives.
I want to be able to help people ease this possibly unnecessary
suffering.
This
career promises the type of in-depth medical research combining
a multidisciplinary approach that greatly appeals to me. If
the neurological or genetic basis for why some people heal
faster or more effectively than others could be discovered,
then we could develop similar ways to treat others. People
who recover faster and more fully from certain diseases than
the average person could be studied using a variety of psychological,
immunological, and neurological tests in an attempt to detect
any unique characteristics they might possess.
Many
people have hypotheses about different aspects of this subject,
but much more investigation needs to be done before we know
anything for certain. I want to be one of the individuals
involved in basic research to advance our knowledge in this
area. Despite the fact that research on these topics is in
its infancy, I am very optimistic for its future impact on
human health and well-being. As I look forward to becoming
a pioneer in this area, I am prepared for what might be a
long and sometimes frustrating search. Yet I also envision
groundbreaking discoveries or on a more realistic scale, solving
smaller pieces of a larger puzzle which may lead to a long-awaited
breakthrough.
I
know how difficult and also how rewarding research can be
because both of my parents are researchers, and I have done
research projects for my science courses. The most important
thing, of course, is that humanity may benefit. Such a pursuit
of knowledge would be incredibly satisfying because of its
potential to help so many. To me, the call to a lifetime of
this work is irresistible.
**
Comments by Admissions Officers who assisted in the Creation
of this Course **
* This essay could have been good, but few personal details
are related.
* This essay is ultimately rather dull. Very little of the
author's personality comes through. I am sure the author will
turn out to be a dedicated student, but the essay doesn't
convey to me anything about what he will bring to the class.
* Yawn. "Reduce hospital stays and increase productivity…",
Did I stray into a health insurance seminar? Wake me when
it's over, and not a moment before.
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