Meet Jessica, a driven pre-med student at UC Berkeley pursuing a double major in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Nutritional Sciences. From leading pro-Israel activism on campus to shadowing healthcare professionals in rural Ghana, Jessica exemplifies passion and determination.
Enjoy our Q&A with Jessica below:
What are you currently doing?
I am an undergraduate pre-medicine student at UC Berkeley pursuing a double major in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Nutritional Sciences. I am on the board of SSI (Students Supporting Israel) as the head of recruitment where I am involved in pro-Israel activism on campus, an opportunity I will always be thankful for. I went to Ghana last summer for 6 weeks to shadow at clinics in rural areas. I loved experiencing the different culture and enlightening myself on the healthcare system in Ghana and how that can further my understanding of medicine.
What accomplishment are you most proud of from the last 2-3 years?
The accomplishment which I am most proud of is staying determined to achieve my dreams and becoming independent over these last two years as a student at UC Berkeley.
What are your goals for the next few years?
My goals for the next few years are simple: go to medical school to further my passion for a career as a travel surgeon. Most importantly I want to stay happy and hopeful for the future along the way.
What are the 1-2 most important things you learned from your experience at AJA?
One of the most important things I learned at AJA is that community, especially a Jewish community, is vital in feeling supported throughout any stage of life. Another important thing I learned is that feeling challenged in class means that you are moving in the right direction.
The AJA provided an outlet for me to truly live up to my potential.
What was your favorite assignment or learning experience at AJA and why?
My favorite learning experience at AJA was the Passion Project in 8th grade. At the time I was intrigued by forensic science and was able to create my own escape room, something that I absolutely loved doing with my friends and teachers during middle school. I got hands-on experience in leading a project which I had envisioned. This is not something that most middle schoolers are able to accomplish, but the AJA provided an outlet for me to truly live up to my potential. It took work and dedication and I was met with nerves for the final “ted-talk”. This taught me how determination to your work and passion pays off in many ways including being able to speak to a large audience and create a viable game that others can play.
What advice do you have for current AJA students about life after AJA?
The AJA community manages to make life there comforting yet challenging, a crucial combination for this vital developmental period in life. The advice I would give current AJA students is to chase your dreams because you CAN accomplish them if you truly believe in yourself and have a good support system through friends, family, and teachers. Life after AJA will be whatever you make it, so make it count. Take classes that intrigue you and find something that makes you excited for your future professional self and then chase that feeling. Make friends that will support your goals and balance your work with fun!
