Hi Everyone!
Well, as hard as it is to believe, this is my final blog post, as I will be graduating in less than two weeks! During my first semester at SCO, I truly thought I’d never get to this point. Looking back, the time really does fly!
This semester has been a wonderful one for me. I have been doing my final rotation at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Since I am about to enter a military marriage, being around active duty members of the military has been a really great experience. Not to mention, the USAFA campus is absolutely stunning—I get to drive past gorgeous mountains every day on my way to work. I have truly loved being in Colorado and will miss it here when it’s time to leave. When we first started hearing about all of the different externship sites across the country I was a bit skeptical about branching out and being somewhere so far away from my comfort zone, but it has been so fun exploring a new city by myself. I have been able to spend my weekends hiking, brewery hopping, and just exploring the sites! That being said, make sure to take advantage of the many externship opportunities that SCO provides! I could have gone anywhere in the country, and I know I still would have gotten a great clinical experience.
I’ve talked a lot over the past few years about not knowing exactly where I’ll end up after graduation. That’s still the case—I’ll find out over the summer where my fiancé will be stationed and where we’ll be living for the next few years. Until then, I’m fortunate enough to be able to move back to Pennsylvania and work part-time at an OD/MD practice doing their post-op exams. After that, I’ll begin a job search for something more permanent. As stressful as it is to not have a black and white plan, I’m confident knowing I can get a job wherever we are stationed.
I can’t believe that in a week I will be reunited with my classmates, some of whom I haven’t seen for an entire year! I’m grateful that we’ve gotten to share this journey together and that we will be able to come together once more before splitting off into the various areas of the country. I’m thankful that I have been able to share the SCO community with so many people, and I’m excited to see what the future holds!