Dennis Boakye

Author: Dennis Boakye

My Journey as a Career Peer Educator (CPE) : Lessons, Connections, and Growth

As I reflect on my time as a Career Peer Educator (2024 -2026), I realize that the role has been much more than helping students with resumes or answering career questions. It has been an opportunity to connect students with resources, opportunities, and people who can help them take the next step toward their goals. Through appointments, workshops, tabling events, newsletters, blog writing, and informational interviews, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the many paths students can take after graduation and the importance of helping them navigate those possibilities.

One of my most memorable experiences this year was working with a student over the course of a term to create a personalized career plan. Together, we identified career interests, developed timelines, gathered application materials, explored resources, and established regular check-ins to track progress. Seeing that student move from uncertainty to confidence reinforced the value of individualized career support and reminded me that meaningful career development often happens through consistent guidance rather than a single conversation.

Another memorable experience came from tabling in the Stietz and YoungChild Atrium. Many students stopped by to ask quick questions, learn about Career Center resources, or share career-related concerns. These interactions showed me that while many students are interested in career development, they may not always have the time or confidence to schedule an appointment. Meeting students where they are, has helped me understand the importance of outreach and accessibility in career education.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a CPE has been creating content for fellow students. Some of my favorite articles included The Hope and Joy of Hospice: Chapter 1 – The Application Process, Your Path to Medicine Does Not Need to Be Perfect, and What Recruiters Really Look for in Interviews: Insights from Emplify Health Career Services. Through these articles, I was able to share experiences and advice from professionals while making career information more approachable and relevant for students.

Professionally, I have grown in several important ways. First, I have become a stronger communicator. Whether conducting appointments, interviewing professionals, writing articles, or presenting information, I learned how to translate complex ideas into practical guidance that students can use. Second, I developed stronger networking and relationship-building skills through informational interviews with alumni, graduate students, healthcare professionals, and recruiters. These conversations expanded my understanding of career pathways while teaching me how to build meaningful professional connections. Finally, I gained a broader understanding of career development resources. Through my work supporting the Health and Medical Professions (HMP) and Physical and Natural Sciences (PHN) career communities, I discovered countless tools, databases, programs, and opportunities that I now feel confident sharing with others.

Looking back, I am most proud of the resources I helped create and the connections I built along the way. The Career Center has given me opportunities to grow as a professional, mentor, writer, and communicator. More importantly, it has shown me how impactful it can be to help someone take one step closer to their future. I am grateful for the students, staff, alumni, and professionals who shared their experiences with me, and I know the lessons I learned as a Career Peer Educator will continue to influence my own career journey for years to come.

As I prepare for my own next steps after Lawrence, I leave this role knowing that some of the most meaningful work happens when we help others recognize possibilities for themselves.

Dennis Boakye ’26 is a senior with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Mathematics. Dennis is the current career peer educator for the Health and Medicinal Professions (HMP) and the Physical and Natural Sciences (PHN) career communities at Lawrence University. Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn.

Exploring the Operating Room Through Forage’s Surgical Tech Job Simulation

As someone interested in healthcare and patient care, I chose to complete this simulation because I wanted a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes in the operating room. While many students are familiar with physicians and nurses, the role of a surgical technologist is often less visible despite being essential to patient safety and successful surgical procedures. This simulation gave me the opportunity to explore that role in a structured, low-pressure environment and made the surgical setting feel much more approachable and less intimidating.

The simulation focused on the responsibilities of a surgical technologist throughout the perioperative process, including the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of surgery. I learned how a surgical technologist’s responsibilities change across these phases and how maintaining organization, communication, and sterility contributes to patient safety. The program also introduced key medical terminology, common surgical supplies, and the workflow of an operating room team. Rather than simply memorizing information, I had to think critically about real-world scenarios and apply what I learned to make decisions similar to those a surgical technologist might face.

One aspect I particularly enjoyed was seeing how different healthcare professionals collaborate during a procedure. The simulation highlighted the importance of teamwork, preparation, attention to detail, and anticipating the needs of others. These are skills that extend far beyond the operating room and are valuable in many healthcare professions.

I would recommend this simulation to students interested in medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, surgical technology, or any healthcare career involving patient care. It is especially useful for students who want exposure to the clinical environment but may not yet have shadowing or hospital experience. The simulation provides a realistic introduction to surgical workflows without requiring prior medical knowledge.

In an interview, I would discuss this experience as an example of proactive career exploration. I will explain how the simulation strengthened my understanding of perioperative care, patient safety, and interdisciplinary teamwork. I will also emphasize how it reinforced the importance of preparation, communication, and critical thinking in healthcare settings. Completing the simulation helped me better appreciate the role surgical technologists play in supporting both patients and the broader surgical team.

Here is the link to the Surgical Tech Forage Simulation

Practicing Patient Care and Communication in a Pharmacy Simulation

I recently completed the Walmart Pharmacy Technician Job Simulation through Forage, because I have always been interested in healthcare, but the pharmacy environment sometimes seemed intimidating from the outside. There are so many responsibilities happening at once, patient safety, communication, insurance issues, medication handling, and teamwork, that I wanted a better understanding of what pharmacy technicians actually do on a daily basis. This simulation made the field feel much more approachable and realistic rather than overwhelming.

One thing I appreciated was how practical the activities felt. Instead of only reading about pharmacy work, I had to think through real-world situations and decide how I would respond. The simulation focused heavily on communication, professionalism, patient safety, teamwork, and problem-solving. I practiced how to respond calmly to frustrated patients, how to prioritize tasks during busy moments, and how to recognize situations that should be escalated to the pharmacist. It also emphasized empathy and attention to detail, which are extremely important skills in healthcare settings.

Another part I found valuable was learning how much pharmacy technicians contribute to patient care beyond simply filling prescriptions. The simulation showed how technicians help keep workflows organized, protect patient privacy, support pharmacists, and notice potential safety concerns before they become bigger problems. I also liked that the scenarios encouraged initiative and collaboration instead of expecting you to know everything immediately. It reinforced the importance of asking questions, communicating clearly, and working as part of a healthcare team.

I would recommend this simulation to students interested in healthcare, especially those considering pharmacy, nursing, medicine, public health, or other patient-facing careers. Even students who are unsure about healthcare careers could benefit because the simulation develops transferable skills like communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and professionalism. It is also beginner-friendly, so you do not need prior pharmacy knowledge to understand or enjoy it.

In an interview, I would talk about this experience as an example of proactive career exploration and skill-building. I would explain how the simulation helped me better understand patient-centered care and taught me the importance of staying calm, empathetic, and detail-oriented in fast-paced environments. I would also highlight how it strengthened my understanding of teamwork and patient safety, which are skills that apply broadly across healthcare professions.

Here is the link to the Walmart Pharmacy Technician Job Simulation

What Reviewing Interviews Taught Me About Communication

Before this assignment, I mostly thought about interviews from the perspective of the person answering questions. Reviewing asynchronous interviews through Big Interview completely changed that. Watching multiple responses back-to-back made it easier to notice what immediately captured attention and what made answers difficult to follow. The strongest responses were not always the most polished or formal. Instead, they felt genuine, organized, and easy to connect with. The students who stood out usually explained a real experience, gave enough context for the listener to understand the situation, and spoke with a sense of purpose instead of sounding overly rehearsed.

One thing I especially noticed was how important structure becomes in recorded interviews. In a live conversation, interviewers can ask clarifying questions, but in asynchronous interviews, the recording has to speak for itself. Answers became confusing when people jumped straight into details without explaining the bigger picture first. On the other hand, some responses worked really well because they balanced storytelling with clarity. A few students also did a great job connecting their experiences back to the role or skill being discussed, which made their answers feel more meaningful instead of just descriptive. I also became more aware of things that are easy to overlook when recording yourself, such as pacing, lighting, eye contact, filler words, and nervous habits. Even small adjustments in those areas made interviews feel more professional and engaging.

After reviewing these interviews, my biggest advice for students completing asynchronous interviews is to practice communicating naturally rather than trying to sound perfect. Interviewers are not expecting flawless delivery. They want to understand how you think, communicate, and reflect on your experiences. Watching your own recordings can definitely feel uncomfortable at first, but it can also be one of the best ways to improve. Instead of focusing only on mistakes, students should pay attention to what is already working well and build from there. Peer feedback is not about criticizing someone’s personality; it is about helping each other grow into stronger and more confident communicators.

Your Path to Medicine Does Not Need to Be Perfect

For many pre-med students, the journey toward medicine can feel overwhelming. Between difficult science courses, extracurricular commitments, research, clinical experiences, and the pressure of the MCAT, it is easy to believe that every step must be perfect. One bad exam can feel catastrophic. A lower-than-expected GPA can feel like the end of the road. Social media and online forums often reinforce the idea that future physicians must have flawless academic records and endless accomplishments.

But during a recent informational interview with a current medical student, one message stood out clearly: the path to medicine is rarely linear.

Growing up in an underserved community in Oakland, California, the student witnessed firsthand how limited access to healthcare affected families and communities. Long travel distances to clinics, difficulty accessing specialists, and unequal healthcare resources shaped their understanding of medicine early on. A pediatrician who served the local community became a major source of inspiration, demonstrating how medicine could be used not only as a profession but as a form of service.

That sense of purpose remained constant throughout the student’s journey, even when the path became difficult.

A Nontraditional Journey to Medical School

One of the most powerful parts of the conversation was the honesty surrounding academic struggles.

The student shared that during college, they were placed on academic probation twice and at one point had a GPA around 1.6 for a term. The transition to college was difficult emotionally and academically, leading to periods of intense self-doubt and uncertainty about whether medicine was still possible.

However, instead of giving up, they continued pushing forward.

Over time, their grades improved, eventually earning a place on the Dean’s List during senior year. After graduating, they completed a post-baccalaureate program at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where they strengthened their academic foundation while gaining additional research, volunteer, and clinical experiences.

Their story serves as an important reminder that growth matters.

Many students assume that one difficult semester, one low grade, or one failed exam permanently defines their future. In reality, medical schools often value resilience, maturity, upward trends, and personal growth just as much as statistics.

As the student explained during the interview, “Your story is a lot more important than your grades.”

That perspective can be difficult to believe in highly competitive pre-med environments, but it reflects an important truth about medicine itself. Physicians are expected to adapt, recover from setbacks, and continue learning throughout their careers. The ability to persevere through challenges can become one of the strongest parts of an application and an even stronger part of one’s identity.

Rethinking the MCAT

Another major topic during the conversation was the MCAT, a source of stress for many pre-med students.

The student openly shared that they scored a 503 on the MCAT and even retook the exam, receiving the same score. Despite this, they still received multiple medical school interviews and acceptances.

Their advice focused less on perfection and more on strategy, consistency, and discipline.

Rather than obsessing over memorizing every detail from textbooks, they emphasized the importance of practice questions and learning from mistakes. According to them, practice questions became “gold mines” for identifying weaknesses, improving reasoning skills, and building long-term understanding.

They described a study approach centered around:

Watching lectures or reviewing content
Completing practice questions regularly
Identifying mistakes carefully
Using flashcards, especially Anki, to reinforce weak areas
Returning to difficult concepts repeatedly until they became manageable

One of the most impactful parts of the discussion involved the difference between motivation and discipline.

Many students wait to feel motivated before studying, but motivation naturally fluctuates. Some days feel productive and energizing, while others feel exhausting and discouraging.

The student explained that discipline is what carries people through those difficult moments.

“If today you can only give 50%, give the 50%.”

That mindset reflects a healthier and more sustainable approach to pre-med culture. Instead of expecting perfection every single day, students can focus on consistency over time. Progress in medicine, research, and academics often occurs gradually rather than all at once.

The student also emphasized that studying for the MCAT is not a linear process. Some days may feel incredibly successful, while others may feel discouraging. However, growth becomes more visible over weeks and months rather than from one day to the next.

What Medical School Is Actually Like

For many students, medical school is often imagined as endless studying with little room for personal life or balance.

Interestingly, the student challenged that perception.

While acknowledging that medical school involves a massive amount of information and constant learning, they described the experience as more manageable than many people expect. Their medical school curriculum includes patient interactions, clinical reasoning sessions, ethics discussions, physical examination training, and community-based experiences.

Beyond academics, they also discussed the importance of maintaining hobbies, friendships, and personal wellness.

Students at their institution participate in intramural sports, outdoor organizations, volunteering opportunities, and social events. The student themselves described going to the gym regularly and playing pickup basketball as important outlets for stress management and maintaining balance.

At the same time, they were honest about the challenges.

Medical school moves extremely quickly. Organ systems and major concepts are covered in rapid succession, leaving little opportunity to completely disconnect for long periods of time. Even breaks often involve research, STEP preparation, or continued studying.

For that reason, the student emphasized the importance of developing a “work hard, play hard” mentality while maintaining consistent routines and realistic expectations.

Lessons for Pre-Med Students

The conversation offered several important lessons for students pursuing medicine:

1. Your path does not need to look like everyone else’s.

Gap years, post-baccalaureate programs, academic setbacks, and changing timelines do not eliminate the possibility of medical school.

2. Discipline matters more than temporary motivation.

Consistency, even on difficult days, often matters more than short bursts of intense productivity.

3. Academic setbacks do not define your future.

Growth, resilience, and upward trends can become some of the most meaningful parts of a student’s journey.

4. Medicine is not only about academics.

Service, community involvement, communication, empathy, and perseverance are equally important parts of becoming a physician.

5. There is still room for life outside of medicine.

Although the workload is demanding, maintaining hobbies, friendships, and personal wellness remains essential.

Final Thoughts

The journey to medicine is often filled with uncertainty, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt. It is easy for pre-med students to compare themselves to others and assume they are falling behind.

However, this conversation served as a reminder that many successful medical students once felt the same fears.

There is no single “perfect” route to becoming a physician.

Some students will take gap years. Some will need time to rebuild academically. Some will struggle with the MCAT. Others may completely rethink their study habits, confidence, or timelines before eventually reaching medical school.

What matters most is continuing to move forward.

For students currently navigating the challenges of the pre-med journey, perhaps the most important takeaway from this conversation is simple:

Your current struggles do not determine your final destination.

Medical School Application Resources

Getting into medical school, and thriving once you’re there, is not just about your GPA or how hard you study. A huge part of the journey is finding a school that truly fits you. In the United States alone, there are over 150 accredited MD-granting medical schools (and even more when including DO programs), but in the end, you will only spend four (or more) years at one. That makes your choice incredibly important, not just for your education, but for your well-being, growth, and overall experience as a future physician.

Medical training is rigorous no matter where you go, so being in an environment where you feel supported, aligned with the mission, and genuinely excited to learn can make all the difference. Below are some valuable resources to help you navigate the process, explore your options, and ultimately choose a medical school that’s right for you.

Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)

One of the most essential tools for navigating the medical school application process is the MSAR by the Association of American Medical Colleges. This database allows you to explore detailed information on MD-granting medical schools across the United States, including GPA and MCAT ranges, acceptance rates, tuition, mission statements, and even insights into each school’s curriculum and student life. Instead of applying blindly, MSAR helps you build a smarter, more strategic school list tailored to your strengths, goals, and interests, whether you’re aiming for research-heavy programs, community-focused schools, or specific geographic locations. It’s a powerful starting point for any premed looking to make informed decisions and maximize their chances of success.

U.S. News Best Medical Schools Rankings by U.S. News & World Report

This platform ranks medical schools based on factors such as research activity, primary care output, faculty resources, and peer assessments. While rankings should not be the sole factor in your decision, they can provide a helpful overview of how schools compare in areas you may care about, especially if you’re interested in research, primary care, or specific program strengths. Used wisely, this tool can complement resources like MSAR by helping you identify programs that align with your academic goals and career interests, while still encouraging you to look beyond rankings to find your best fit.

IN SUM:

Generally, one of the most important official resources is the AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service), run by the Association of American Medical Colleges. This is the centralized application system used by most MD programs in the U.S. Beyond just submitting your application, AMCAS provides detailed guides on timelines, personal statements, coursework entry, and letters of recommendation. Familiarizing yourself with AMCAS early can help you avoid common mistakes and stay organized throughout the entire application cycle.

For osteopathic (DO) programs, the equivalent platform is AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service), managed by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. If you are considering DO schools, or even just want to keep your options open, this resource is essential. It offers application tools, school information, and guidance specific to osteopathic medicine, helping you understand the differences in philosophy and training compared to MD programs.

If you’re looking for honest student perspectives, the Student Doctor Network is a popular forum where applicants, medical students, and physicians share advice, experiences, and insights about schools and the application process. While not everything on the platform should be taken as the absolute truth, it can give you a realistic sense of what students are thinking, common challenges, and how others are preparing for interviews and applications.

Another valuable tool is Choose DO Explorer, which provides detailed data on osteopathic medical schools, including GPA and MCAT averages, acceptance rates, and mission statements. Similar to MSAR for MD schools, this resource helps you build a balanced and informed school list if you are applying to DO programs.

Finally, don’t overlook the importance of each school’s official website. While databases and rankings give summaries, medical school websites provide the most accurate and up-to-date information about curriculum structure, research opportunities, dual-degree programs, and student support systems. Taking time to explore these sites can help you better understand a school’s culture and whether it truly aligns with your goals.

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