Students Experience The Lives of Medical Students and Shadow Practicing Physicians During Winter Internship Program

Three students who are on their way toward pursuing careers in the medical field had the opportunity over Winter Break to spend a week networking with Albany Medical College students, shadowing local doctors, taking CPR training, and experiencing firsthand what it will be like for them when they pursue their dreams of attending medical school. Sydney Sciocchetti, Robert Woodson, and Jessica Kuder, who are all in the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), were interns through the Achieve program at Albany Medical College in January after being recommended by CSTEP Director Diane Molloy.

Robert is majoring in Science with a concentration in Biology and spent a day during his internship shadowing a neurohospitalist at Saratoga Hospital, accompanying her as she saw patients. “The potential for personal growth was like nothing I have experienced before,” Robert shared. He reflected on meeting with medical students and physicians at Albany Medical College earlier in the week saying, “Everyone in the room was smarter than me and they’re doing something that I’m passionate about which was an incredible experience.” Robert plans on attending medical school to become a neurologist.

For Sydney, a Nutrition major, shadowing an endocrinologist in a clinical setting and an anesthesiologist at Albany Med, opened her eyes to both fields. “It was very interesting. I didn’t realize how much your endocrine system plays a role in your entire body. Also, anesthesiology is a lot more than what I thought it would be.” She also learned more about the medical school admissions process. “Coming into this process I thought applying to medical school was only about grades and the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores, but Albany Medical College emphasized it’s also about who you are as a person and how you’re contributing to the community. I feel very confident about where I am in my journey.” Sydney plans to become an R.N. and is considering continuing on to medical school. 

Students Robert Woodson and Sydney Sciocchetti during CPR training at Albany Medical College.

Sitting in on an Anatomy class, touring Albany Medical College, and taking an MCAT Prep workshop were highlights for Jessica, a Liberal Arts: Psychology major who plans to enter the neuropsychology field and conduct psychology research. “I really enjoyed the Anatomy class,” Jessica said. “Having the opportunity to handle human organs was intriguing. Unique experiences like these are what influence students to commit to the challenges of medical school. I feel that the many seminars we attended helped us get a better handle of what it takes to be accepted, as well as the demands that are in store for us on this journey."

This is the first semester that CSTEP students have gone to Albany Medical College for the internship program. Diane Molloy said that CSTEP plans to have another group participate in May. “This internship was an initial trial of bigger cooperation among the (C)STEP programs throughout the Capital Region,” she explained. “We are following up by hosting a Youth Climate Summit in March. It isn't about learning new things, it is about opening up possibilities for our students and encouraging them to raise the level of their educational expectations."