Chutavion Walker (he/him)
Clinical Data Coordinator at IU Comprehensive Cancer Center
What did you study, and what has your career journey looked like?
"I studied human biology with a concentration in Human health and disease, with a minor in psychology. Throughout undergrad, I held a plethora of different jobs and roles that have equipped me with the ability to be diverse in my career journey. Ranging from mentorship and interpersonal relationships to different areas of research, I have tried my best to step outside of my comfort zone to be able to have many unique transferrable skills for any future job that I may hold until I get to my end career goal. I currently am working at IUSM as a Data coordinator for the cancer center."
What IU experiences do you feel contributed to your success, both inside and outside the classroom?
"Inside the classroom, I had to push myself harder than a lot of my counterparts because it was a little harder for me to grasp some scientific concepts that I would be learning during undergrad. Therefore, I had to advocate for myself and ask for help when I needed it. Whether that was going to office hours or setting up additional hours with professors to get more of a one-on-one interaction, I had to ensure that I was establishing a relationship with my professor to not only show them but also myself that I was capable of my studies. Outside of the classroom, I found community in many different clubs and organizations that were on campus. Some of the ones that have had the most impact on my journey as a premed student were MAPS, the FASE program, and the Dean Advisory board for DEI really helped me facilitate different ways of engaging with my community and helped me find support there as well."
What advice would you give to a student navigating career choice?
"To take your time, and to smell the roses. It is not a race to get to that end career goal because that career is always going to be there as long as they have aspiring people (like yourself) in that field. Therefore, take some time to explore your interests, step outside your comfort zone, and do things that you would not normally do because those experiences are what make your career goal worth it in the end."
What is one thing you wish you would have known when beginning your career journey?
"That it would always, always always work out. No matter what, when you have your communities and networks there to support you, then you know that whatever hardships you may be facing will be worth it because it builds you to be a better version of yourself who becomes more resilient through every adversity."
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