When Rachael Goldsmith 19 left Bethel, she had no idea what the first year after graduation would turn into. The biology major entered the workforce just weeks after returning from Guatemala, a semester she spent abroad to finish her Spanish minor, and the only thing she had officially decided was taking a break before heading to medical school.

She had no idea that shed eventually work three jobsas a medical scribe, barista, and clinical research intern. She had no idea shed be furloughed as a medical scribe due to the pandemic, or that a short time later shed be hired as a full-time research assistant for a COVID-19 treatment trial at Hennepin Healthcare Infectious Disease Research Department. She had no idea that shed be using her Spanish daily as she formed relationships with patients in the months-long trial.

Goldsmith ultimately had no idea shed love her job as a research assistant so much. Its really a dream come true, she says. I love this position. I wouldnt want to be spending my time doing anything else.

As the world waits for the development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine, Goldsmith and her team of fellow RAs are working on three different trials to treat the virus. One trial focuses on the inflammation accompanying COVID-19, while two other trials examine antibody treatments. She and her coworker work on treatment trials, and every other week, they rotate who enrolls patients in the trial and who collects and enters data into their system. They stay in touch with patients for two to three months as theyre in the hospital and then once they return home to see how they continue to respond to the medication.

Goldsmith had always been interested in clinical research, and that interest only grew during her time at Bethel. Through the C. Weldon Jones Memorial Research Scholarship, she studied breast cancer with Professor of Biology Paula Soneral. Because of this project, Goldsmith stepped right into the COVID-19 research processshe knew what questions to ask as well as how to work hard and efficiently. I think I had an advantage by understanding research as a whole, Goldsmith says. I was well-prepared to do a lot of work, and Bethels arduous biology and chemistry classes helped me understand the foundations of science really well.

Bethel also shaped Goldsmiths perspective of treating patients as human beings first rather than focusing on their role in a clinical study. Especially as she interacts with people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, she does her best to be gentle and a comfort to those in isolation from their families. Knowing that somebody is comfortable talking to me about how theyre actually feeling and how theyre doing is something that Im super grateful for, Goldsmith says. I was well prepared for this by going to a college that emphasized people as whole and holy humans.

And part of honoring their humanity is meeting them where they are, and Goldsmith is thrilled to use Spanish to connect with patients as they cope with COVID-19. While she hadnt taken this position expecting to use her minor, she has been grateful and surprised by how frequently the opportunities arise, and now she uses Spanish daily as she meets patients, checks in on them during their hospital stay, and then when she calls to hear how theyre recovering. Because of her time in Guatemala and taking Languages and Cultures classes, she was well-prepared to utilize her skills to make the Spanish-speaking community in Minneapolis feel seen.

While Goldsmith invests in her jobwhich serves individuals both on a personal level as they receive treatment and on a global scale as researchers aim to produce an effective COVID-19 vaccineshes learning how to appreciate this season between graduating from Bethel and starting medical school. Although she initially felt restless as she navigated three jobs and wondered what would become of her gap year, she has since realized that each of those jobs helped her find her purpose. There is truly purpose in the everyday and the mundane and the journey, Goldsmith says. To people who graduate and feel like theyre not in their dream position right away, all things come in time. For the first year, you will get through it, especially if you have plans to go back to school in the future. Theres purpose to the whole pre-med track even if I dont go to medical school. Its all part of growing me into the human and the person I am supposed to be.

Goldsmiths future is full of countless opportunities. Some, like medical school, are part of her planwhile other dreams are wilder and still somewhat hazy, like owning a bakery in France. Ive always loved cooking and baking, and if I could own a bakerya fun little mix of American classics and French pastriesthat would be my ultimate dream. It would be kind of a stretch, and Id push myself to my limits, but over something a little less stressful, like croissants, rather than healthcare, Goldsmith laughs.

However, she is certainly in no rush to continue her education or move across the world, especially as she finds great fulfillment in her role right now. I dont know how much time Ill be taking off with this job, she says. I really, really like this period of life right now. Im just excited to take my time.

See more here:
A Clinical Researcher's Guide to Finding Purpose in Everything - Bethel University News