healthcare and medical professions

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

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.

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

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.