Alex Solis from the Kessler Scholars at Johns Hopkins University on the impact of research and asking for help
What does the Kessler Scholars Program mean to you?
Alex Solis was part of the inaugural cohort of Kessler Scholars at Johns Hopkins University.
Being a Kessler Scholar here at Hopkins has truly enriched my experience, not only by allowing me to form a community with like-minded individuals who have the greater Baltimore community at the forefront of their minds, but also through providing truly beneficial guidance in navigating undergrad as a first-gen student, as well as offering professional development to prepare me as I begin to transition to life beyond campus.
Have you participated in any experiential opportunities during college, and if so, what was your experience?
I was able to conduct research during my junior year under one of the Bloomberg Distinguished Professors in the Biophysics Department, and I felt like it really opened my eyes to learning beyond the classroom. It was refreshing to be able to actually analyze phenomena that I was learning about in my course, seeing it applied first-hand, and being able to make my own interpretations of what lay before me as a result.
This was a mindset that I carried with me as I interned in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine, working underneath one of the practicing scientists there, and this is where I think my interest in research skyrocketed. What was really special to me about this experience was the immersive nature that was required of me, allowing me to get an insider perspective on the nitty-gritty that is full-time research. All-in-all, I feel like I definitely grew from each experience, adopting a more intentional and critical mindset after the fact that I apply in my day-to-day life.
What are you looking forward to doing personally or professionally after graduation?
The short and sweet answer is med school but there’s more to it than that. The plan as of now is to take a single gap year before med school, with the goal being to come out on the other side more prepared mentally and emotionally for what I’ll face in med school. Right now, I’m in the process of preparing to apply to post-bac programs, looking at research and masters programs across the country, and trying to decide what would be the best fit for me. After that year, I hope to transition into med school, following that path until I reach my end goal, which is (tentatively) to become a surgeon!
What advice do you have for future Kessler Scholars?
The one thing that is said time and time again, and that I hope to echo, is to ask for help. Always ask, unabashedly ask, ask with intention. Being the first in your family to go to college is terrifying, but more than anything, it’s exciting! And the best way to embrace this new leap is to ask those around you for help and guidance. I feel like there are so many resources that you don’t really know about as you enter college [or] until it’s too late and the only way to mitigate that is to reach out to friends, faculty, and staff to try and put your best foot forward in this next chapter for you and your family.
Read more about the Class of 2024 and the impact of the Kessler Scholars Program, or connect with us at info@KesslerScholars.org.