Katie Tahtinen '18

Name: Katie Tahtinen 

Graduation Year: 2018

Major: Biology

Your Story: I grew up in Duluth, MN and I fell in love with Gustavus after touring and getting a feel for its’ small-campus family feel! I was all over the place with what I wanted to do when I got to Gustavus. I had some inclination that I wanted to go into healthcare, but I was weighing out OT, PT, MD, PA and many other options when I entered. Coursework, research experience, using the career development center and shadowing all pointed me in the direction of being a PA. One final shadowing experience with a PA who I really clicked with finally solidified that this was the path for me and I was very excited to get started. I applied to PA schools during my senior year at Gustavus.

The most valuable part of Gustavus was all of the connections that I was able to make. Not only did I make life-long friends, but I had numerous professors who believed in me and wanted me to succeed. Through my volunteer experiences in the Elders program and Gustie Buddies, I was able to work with a wide range of individuals. Through these programs, I have met people who will be a part of my life forever including a man at the local assisted living home who I now call my “Gustavus Grandpa.”

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

1. Januarty Interim Pre-Health Career Exploration at HCMC in Minneapolis, MN

2. Mayo Innovations Scholars Program

3. Leadership position in Elder’s Program

4. Gustie Buddie’s Volunteer

5. Writing Center Tutor

Advice:

1. Shadow, shadow, shadow and shadow early! It’s easy to do research online and even talk to people about what different careers are like but you don’t get the real picture until you see it in action! After shadowing a PA, I knew that I could see myself in their shoes and that it was something I was excited about doing!

2. Take advantage of all of the opportunities that Gustavus has to offer. I believe that Gustavus was always abounding with opportunities both in and out of the classroom. The small campus allows students to do everything from researching closely with their professors to volunteering in their community to stepping into a wide array of leadership roles! Do what interests you! Just make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything!

3. Study hard, grades do matter to some extent for getting into grad school but don’t forget to have fun! Gustavus has so many opportunities to meet new people and pursue things that interest you! I made some of my best friends at Gustavus and they were an integral support system throughout my four years there!

Future Plans:

This past summer of 2019 I began PA school at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. PA school is very intense as you learn so much information in such a short amount of time. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but I know that Gustavus prepared me well for that. I have 22 more months in the program after which I am debating pursuing a career in geriatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry or some other specialty that I might not even know about yet! One of the best parts of being a PA is I can bounce around and do all of the above if I choose to!

9/13/2019 HB