Categories
JustJobs Scholarship Scholarship

Rebecca Nagurney, majoring in Bioengineering, is a JustJobs Scholarship Finalist

[B]efore I started college, I knew that I wanted a degree in the medical field. I went through many surgeries and spent a lot of time in the hospital throughout my childhood. I have spent months between a hospital bed and a wheelchair, and that had put a major strain on my family.

I was diagnosed with hypophosphatemic rickets when I was 2 years old, and I have been a patient at the Alfred I. duPont Children’s Hospital in Wilmington Delaware since then. After seeing and experiencing the amazing work of doctors and medical professionals, I decided that I want to become one of them so that I can help sick children. Being at the hospital many times over the years, I have seen many sick children and I have met some that were not able to go home. I think the procedures and devices that are used and being developed are extraordinary. I want to be a part of the teams that help develop devices and perform procedures that heal and cure the children.

While I was going through my surgeries, I was determined to do well in school. I kept a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and my freshman year of college. I explored many majors offered at PSU and I finally decided on Bioengineering. I did not want to graduate with a degree which would limit my involvement in the medical field. With this degree I am able to go to medical school, pharmacy school, teach, or design medical devices. There are so many opportunities available to me when I graduate.

When I graduate with this degree, not only will I have an amazing career that I will enjoy, but I will also be able to make a difference in the world. If I take the path of becoming a pediatric surgeon, I want to be able to comfort families and their children by letting them know that I have a first-hand experience with what they are going through. Kind, gentle, and compassionate bedside manners were what made my hospital stays bearable for me and my family. If I choose the path of designing medical devices, I would like to design something that would minimize pain and scaring for the patients.

My scars are constant reminders of what I went through. Now, I do not mind them but years ago I was very embarrassed by them. I hope that in the future when I become settled with my career, I can travel to developing countries and provide them with proper medical treatments. I want to make a difference and PSU is helping me do that with their brilliant professors and degree programs. Graduating with a degree in Bioengineering will be the major stepping stone in my life that will help me help others.

JustJobs.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Rebecca Nagurney as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for her essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.