Honors students got an inside look at medical careers this month by connecting with
Tampa Bay physicians at the Future MD Career Fair.
On Nov. 12, the Judy Genshaft Honors College Tampa Student Council invited pre-med and health-focused Honors students to the event, where student organizations
such as and the shared information about their work on campus. The council also organized a fundraising
activity featuring handmade bracelets and a game of 鈥淥peration,鈥� with proceeds benefiting
the American Heart Association.
Ava Tucker, the council鈥檚 professional development co-chair, said it was rewarding
to see health-focused students from across campus come together.
Bulls for Moffitt students speak with attendees at the Future MD Fair.
鈥淚t is such a privilege to put on an event that connects so many on-campus student
organizations,鈥� Tucker said.
After a period of peer-to-peer networking, four Tampa Bay area physicians led the
main program, sharing their paths to medicine, career challenges, plus the moments
that drive and sustain them.
Honors College alum Zayn Mohamed, now an interventional radiology resident at the
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, encouraged students to explore widely as undergraduates.
鈥淜eep an eye out for what you enjoy 鈥� that鈥檚 something I did while at the Honors College
and at USF,鈥� Mohamed said.
Board-certified behavior analyst Tiffany Seapaul emphasized that changing direction
is normal.
鈥淭here were a lot of things I thought I was going to be interested in, and then I
volunteered or did an internship and found out I didn鈥檛 like them at all,鈥� Seapaul
said. 鈥淗ave an open mind and use your time now to explore as many options as possible.鈥�
Panelists also offered advice for students entering the medical field.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e not passionate about medicine, you cannot survive it,鈥� said Dr. Alamelu
Murgappan, a board-certified neurologist in private practice. 鈥淥nce you鈥檙e a doctor,
you鈥檙e a doctor 24/7 鈥� to patients, family, friends; you have to be able to balance
it all.鈥�
Tiffany Seepaul, board-certified behavior analyst, and Emily Jones, physical therapist.
Physical therapist Dr. Emily Jones agreed that internal motivation is essential.
鈥淭here will be things that weigh on you in the clinic, so that passion needs to be
there,鈥� she said.
After a guided discussion with two student hosts, the conversation opened to audience
questions. Students networked with the physicians, one another, and the participating
organizations.
More than 100 students attended, and because of the event鈥檚 success, the Honors Student
Council hopes to host a similar event next year.
鈥淧lanning this event with Student Council has been an amazing opportunity to grow
as a leader and give like-minded students the resources they can use for their future
careers,鈥� said Emily Meeker, professional development co-chair.
To learn more about upcoming student events, visit the Honors Student Councils page.