Setting the Stage

8/30/21

In the past weeks, I set the stage for my ISM journey. I built my online presence through LinkedIn, and set up a professional space for networking. I learned through LinkedIn that there are so many professionals in the neurological field in the Dallas metroplex area, which reassured my nerves in finding the right mentor. I also created my mission statement which will act as a subconscious reminder of the quality of work I always should display. I established my goals of exhibiting innovation and optimism in all my research, and I will hold myself accountable to that standard at all times. Furthermore, on the topic of my digital presence, I created my digital profile. At first I thought it was going to be a simple, straightforward task, however I was unaware of the importance of the aesthetic of a website. A website must not be bland, even the color choices play a significant role in the effectiveness of your message. After having a difficult time trying to find the right color scheme, I finally found one that was professional as well as appealing to the eye. I also found myself really enjoying making my website because I was working toward developing a place to demonstrate my hard work, and further help me network. Finally, this week I gave my first ISM presentation. I was extremely nervous as I usually don’t feel comfortable talking about myself, but I believe it went well. I need to work on delivering presentations in a relaxed manner, rather than being overwhelmed by my audience's reactions. So far I have set the foundation to be successful in ISM, now it’s time to dive deep into the research portion of my journey.