Student Spotlight
Name: Heather Koch
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
High School: Shadow Mountain High School
Major at ASU: Psychology B.S.
Why did you choose ASU?: When it came time to start applying to college, I was torn between the comforts of my home town and my desire for change and adventure. However, after a long debate, I chose ASU because of what it had to offer in terms of it's Honors College, scholarship opportunities, and Psychology Department. ASU has a very established Psych Department, with countless research opportunities. With ASU's large student body, the honors college presented a personal college experience with small class sizes and additional resources.
What activities are you involved with?: WORK: I work at a neurologist's private practice in Scottsdale. I administer cognitive testing, shadow physician's appointments, take vitals, draw blood, and act as the liaison between the doctor and out of office patients. I started as an intern in January 2009, and became a paid employee in May 2009. It has been a wonderful learning experience, while also providing me with several research opportunities.
VOLUNTEER: St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. I volunteer in the Surgical Waiting Room, and have been there about 10 hours a month since May 2008. I am able to see all the work that goes into general and neurological surgeries, from pre-op all the way through recovery.
CLUBS:
1.) AED- Pre Health Honors Society: Recruitment Chair. AED has provided me with an ample amount of resources for Pre-Med classes, internships, jobs, and given me several helpful tips. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to meet students that are going through the same classes and challenges at I am.
2.) Camp Kesem: Camp Kesem is a free camp for children that have/had a parent with cancer. We fundraise all year long, then put on a one week camp in Northern AZ. In summer 2009, I was a counselor at Camp Kesem, and it was truly a life changing experience.
3.) Health Devils: Student representatives of the Pre-Health population at ASU that assist with recruitment and peer-advising.
4.) Barrett Mentor: Provides Freshmen students of the Barrett Honors College an opportunity to connect with older Honors Students to ask question, acquire tips, and discover on campus opportunities.
What is the best thing about being at ASU?: As everyone knows, ASU is a very large school. This great size often intimidates prospective students because they feel they will get lost in the numbers. However, with ASU's great size comes an unbelievable amount of resources and opportunities. I feel I can literally study anything, learn anywhere, or join any club through ASU. The internship opportunities are endless, along with community service projects. Therefore, becoming involved on campus definitely makes ASU feel much smaller, but in a comfortable way. Being involved in clubs designated for Pre-Health students has made my entire Pre-Med experience far from terrifying. The advising from peers and ASU staff has been far beyond what I had ever imagined, and certainly makes the ASU experience personal. The best thing about ASU is having the opportunities of a large school in combination with the personal resources and connections of a small school, but getting involved is the key to experiencing both.
What advice would you give to your fellow ASU students and prospective students?: Use what ASU has to offer... the resources are endless. Period. On campus involvement is the key to a personal college experience, especially at a school as large as ASU. Becoming involved on campus has completely changed my college experience for the better. I have met new people and have been exposed to new opportinities.