Jared Leonard '16

Jared Leonard '16

Name: Jared Leonard                                             

Graduating Class: 2016

Major: Biology

Your Story:

Before coming to Gustavus Adolphus College, I lived in Richfield, Minnesota where I’ve spent most of my life. Entering a four-year university as a first-generation college and experiencing the incredible diversity in fellow students’ backgrounds was an eye-opening and humbling experience, which helped me reflect and learn about potential majors and careers that would work for me after graduation. After some work experience and speaking with a variety of healthcare professionals, pharmacy was the one that most aligned with what I sought in a career, with its availability, patient interaction, and the incredibly dynamic and exciting changes coming to the profession. Further pursuing work experience within the pharmacy only helped cement my decision, pushing me to apply for schools in the fall of my senior year.

 

Top Five Activities/Experiences: (in no particular order)

  1. Being a Collegiate Fellow here on Campus.
  2. Serving as an editor to both of Gustavus’ Literary Magazines, Firethorne and Razor.
  3. Interacting with Faculty and Staff on campus in trying to understand various options regarding career development and what to do after graduation.
  4. Taking classes outside of my major in order to gain a better understanding/new perspective.
  5. Reaching out and experiencing what various healthcare professionals do in their careers and how the demands might pull/push you away from that profession.

 

Advice:

  1. Work and volunteer experience are just as important as grades and test scores, so don’t be afraid to try and connect with healthcare professionals in order to try and get yourself immersed in the field.
  2. Read up on the various requirements and pre-requisites that certain professional schools have, and utilize the many resources available on campus to help you sort out what you need to do.
  3. Branch out. Learn about what you love to do outside of a job. Pick up a trade or craft that helps you cope with stress and provides you with an outlet. Engaging in things outside of your major offer different perspectives and give you a better perspective.

 

Future Plans: Attending the University of Minnesota, start Fall 2016

                                                                                                                                                                             Updated: 5/18/2016 HB