Career Center

Nick Murray

The Ideal Career Exploration

As a self-described "injury-prone" child, Nick Murray ’10 developed an interest in medicine at a young age. Since then, his curiousity has led him to Gustavus' Bio-Chemistry and Neuroscience research. To help determine his career options, Nick spent his Interim Experience as a pre-med intern with the St. Cloud Hospital and CentraCare Health System. During January, Nick shadowed physicians with different specialties every day, providing insight into a variety of potential careers within the health care field. Nick was able to observe a wide range of patient care, including treatment for Parkinson's Disease, diabetes, brain tumors, myocardial infarctions, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, and much more.

Witnessing the treatment of a paraplegic patient suffering from osteodegenerative disease was a highlight of his interim experience. Nick was able to observe the extensive surgery involving multiple incisions to decompress five vertebrae as well as the post-operative process with the patient who subsequently regained the use of her lower extremities. "This event was unreal. I was intrigued by the entire operation and amazed of the human potential to cure another through knowledge and practice."

In addition to providing valuable experience in patient care, Nick also came away from his career exploration with the advice and insight of dozens of physicians with years of experience. With two years left at Gustavus, Nick plans to volunteer in the healthcare field while pursuing a degree in Biochemistry and Neuroscience with his sights set on medical school. The direction provided by the physicians guided Nick to the pursuit of a combination M.D./Ph.D., which would enable him to combine his passion for clinical neuroscience research and helping others through practicing medicine.

"An engaging winter of physician shadowing has shown me the other side of medicine that I never imagined as a patient or student. Furthermore, my aspirations to demonstrate my care for others have been affirmed by the warm and enthusiastic healthcare professionals I observed. In short, this was the ideal career exploration for me."