Do It Scared: Adjusting to Life in Grad School - Kathryn Mierzejewski

 

As a prospective student, one of the ways I gained exposure to the field of genetic counseling was by conducting informational interviews with genetic counselors in a variety of specialties and roles across the country. One of the questions I asked in all of these conversations was if the genetic counselor felt that their undergraduate education and other job experiences had prepared them for their graduate school experience. I heard a variety of responses. Some felt that they were adequately prepared. Others felt like they underwent a big leap into their grad program, rather than an ideal smooth transition.

I asked this question in particular because I had a deep-seated fear about adjusting to life in graduate school and wanted to hear more perspectives. I was applying right out of undergrad and did not have any full-time work experience, so I worried about seeming less professional than others. I didn’t get perfect grades in college, so I worried that I would not be able to keep up in class. I had not worked as a genetic counseling assistant, so I worried about having less knowledge about the field than others did. Imposter syndrome is a very real thing! I also felt nervous about moving to a new city all alone and making a life for myself in Pittsburgh. 

Looking back on those feelings a year later, I would love to tell myself that I did not get where I am today by accident. I have found adjusting to life in the Pitt GC program to be personally and professionally enriching, and challenging in good ways. My cohort has such a wide variety of lived experiences, which means they all give the best advice and tell the best stories. This includes myself– I have learned that I also bring a unique perspective to the table. While our classes certainly aren’t easy, I feel so connected to my purpose for being here every day. I am much closer to my graduate school classmates than I was in my undergraduate courses and have learned how valuable those personal connections can be for support on a daily basis. I’ve also really grown to value the confidence-building model that our faculty here at Pitt intentionally employ. Experiences such as simulated patients and observational clinic days have allowed me to gradually build up my knowledge before I enter my clinical rotations this summer. 

Adjusting to a new city and Pittsburgh itself has been such a fun adventure. For example, I felt so energized by the idea that anywhere I went to eat next could be my new all-time favorite restaurant, and that I had so many new museums to check out. Now that I’ve settled in I love having friends from my hometown and my college come to visit so I can share my new home with them. This city and its people have been so approachable, down-to-earth, and welcoming. I have been able to make time for my hobbies (even adopting new ones) and pursue volunteer opportunities in the city. I am, of course, now a Steelers fan. 

One of my favorite sayings that I think really applies to the adjustment into graduate school is “do it scared”. You might not feel entirely confident and every day may not be perfect, but the important part is showing up and doing it anyway. My life looks very different from how it did a year ago and changes of this magnitude are never easy, but they are certainly worthwhile. I am so glad to be where I am today!