I would identify PIC MC
as a program
and as a board
that wants to help students
and aims to progress students
and their needs.
I found out about the PIC MC board experience
through a program I’m in called
the Southern Management Leadership Program.
It's a program
that develops entrepreneurs
and I was actually told about it
through my professor.
At the time,
I didn't really know what PIC MC was about,
but I saw that it had to do
with one of my passions,
which was biotechnology
and research and development.
My experience at PIC MC
as a student board member
was the best experience,
hands down,
I've had at community college.
It's kind of nerve wracking at first
because you're
the youngest person in the room
with people who
know how these meetings work
and know how board meetings work.
It definitely took me out of my comfort zone.
It was a necessary experience,
I would say,
because I learned how to speak
in front of a bunch of different people.
Being the only college student
in a room full of executives
is a little scary.
But it taught me that I'm capable of it,
even though I'm still a student.
You slowly catch up to speed
and then you gain
confidence in your own footing
because you deserve a seat
at the table as a student
and more importantly, as a future
change maker
and a leader in
not just the biotechnology industry,
but the STEM industry in general.
Through talking to the board members,
I’ve become more aware of opportunities.
PIC MC has a lot of resources
that can be benefit
students in terms of gaining skills
and partnership with companies,
private sector companies,
so they can be better prepared for jobs.
I want to be a physical therapist
and joining PIC MC,
I was able to connect with Dr. Wasserman,
and she connected me to
a physical therapist
that I was able to shadow with.
In this physical therapy office,
they also used
biotechnology in their exercises,
which was really amazing
because I had no idea
that even went into physical therapy.
I was able to shadow AstraZeneca,
where I got to learn from career experts
and what they do at their jobs.
I also got to hear about the path
they took to get to where they are today.
And another super cool aspect of
that was being able to see all the labs,
their data, their instruments,
everything that they use on a day to day basis.
I really got an insight
to what my future would be like.
I, as a student, was offered
unprecedented access
to companies in the 270 corridor.
I was proud to offer and host
workshops with seasoned
professionals and executives.
This allows for students
to gain a lot of skills
and which in turn prepares
a great workforce.
I definitely did grow a lot
during this experience.
I came out to
be a much better student now.
Hands down,
the highlight of my experience
at PIC MC was directly connecting
with a lot of the executives
and seasoned professionals
that became my direct mentors.
If you’re a future student looking to become
a PIC MC Student Board Member,
I would tell you to prepare to advocate,
prepare to speak your voice,
prepare to
continuously advocate for the students.
You're really entrusted to provide
a certain perspective from students.
When you do take it and you do capture
the student voices
and you present it to the board,
they're always willing and accommodating
to listen to your ideas.
PIC MC is always looking for ways
to help students.
Part of my experience
was giving feedback in ways
that PIC MC could be more beneficial
for students.
It's definitely a great experience
because you can tell
that all the board members are there
because they truly care about students
and their growth and development.
I also was able to assist in the creation
of a portal
for more students to learn about PIC MC.
Pick MC is one of those rare gems
that a lot of people
initially may have not known about,
but now it's become very widespread,
and it's something
you have to take advantage of,
especially if you're in STEM.
I am so glad
that PIC MC is part of Montgomery College
because it's a win-win for everyone.