Hello again expert team of student doctor network, hopefully this is the last time I bother you for assistance. I have brain stormed a couple more topics and would appreciate your opinions if you have the time.
1. I've always loved to make/build things. I probably started like many others with LEGO, but I branched out to other things, mostly computers and personal fireworks and ignition system. Both involved intense focus. If I wasn't paying attention when building computers I could fry my motherboard which would cost another $50-$200 that I couldn't afford, while not paying attention when making fireworks could cost me a hand. Specifically making fireworks taught me a lot, briefly:
a) You need to have a wide breadth of knowledge and be cognizant of the fine details of the entire process. Of course this includes making the firework itself, but importantly this includes the laws around the process. There are some minutiae that some might ignore such as the color/size of the mortar tubing, however, not abiding by the law could cause some serious danger to others or legal suspicions if authorities were ever to come around.
b) I learned to respect both the process and the wishes of others even if I perceived them as detrimental. A previous partner of mine as well as my family voiced their concerns around the safety of my hobby and I was fairly adamant that everything would be safe. Although initially disheartened by having to limit myself, I understood where they were coming from. Accounting for their concerns would bring peace of mind to them as well as preserving the relationships we held which was/is much more important to me.
c) I learned how to be more creative and see things as more than how they appear (improvise). (Example: I didn't have a screwdriver on hand when I was making a box, I was lazy and instead used the filer on a nail clipper)
d) Most importantly, I learned to always take responsibility not only for my own well-being but for those around me when tinkering with potentially dangerous things. Luckily I did not have to learn this from firsthand experience; when I was more naive and getting carried away with this hobby my grandfather put the fear of god in me by telling me how he used to make fireworks with a friend and that one day that friend got careless and leveled his (the friend's) house, killing him and his entire family. I thought he was just trying to scare me but found an article that detailed the process and have been operating with EXTREME caution ever since.
I think I've used a lot of similar skills throughout my research career and palliative care volunteering.
2. I played trumpet for ~6 years (this included jazz ensembles and marching bands) throughout which I also learned a bit of piano & alto saxophone. Playing as part of a band taught me the importance of working as a team to create something more beautiful than something the individual could make (even solos are a team effort). There was also a lot of discipline and humility throughout learning songs. Learning to play a song was difficult especially if the band wanted to sound good. It required tens to hundreds of attempts. Humility was especially important when communicating with the director and staying in line with your designated part (there is a stereotype, that I will neither confirm nor deny, that depicts trumpet players as cocky and liking to show off, playing into this mentality would certainly spoil the soup as one would like to standout when they are supposed to blend in).
Again, thank you all for your feedback, please let me know if any of these are acceptable. If neither are, I might just stick with writing on my goals and current efforts towards integrating technology and medicine. I'm personally a bit skeptical for #2, playing an instrument or in a band seems to be fairly common, let me know what you think!
