Bronco Spotlight: Alaa Sleymann
Bachelor of Science in biomedical science, 2020
Dental Assistant
As a dental assistant, my job is to help dentists with patients by preparing and organizing tools and rooms. I also take care of the patients, keep records and schedule appointments.
What is the most rewarding and the most challenging part of your job?
The most rewarding part of being a dental assistant is being able to help others. I enjoy being part of their experiences and love seeing their smiles transform. I get to be a part of easing their anxiety and building trust with our patients. This prepares for me my career as an orthodontist by being on both ends of the spectrum. The most challenging part of being a dental assistant is having to juggle multiple things at a time, especially when the office gets busy. It is sometimes challenging to fulfill all requirements in a short period of time all while trying to maintain a happy and safe environment for the patients.
Which of your skills had the biggest impact on your success?
The biggest skill that had the most impact on my success is perseverance. Entering pre-med is a very difficult field and requires studying full-time. There are many tough courses in this field that require one to be on top of their studies consistently to achieve top grades in all their courses. To enter the medical field, you have to be super competitive and having top grades is one of the ways to get there. Another skill that had the biggest impact on my success is having the best note-taking methods. Effective note-taking in classes that are especially short but super important is the most important skill one can have to ensure you have recorded the essential points during class which will lead you to success.
What advice do you have for others pursuing a career similar to yours?
One piece of advice I would provide someone who is pursuing a career similar to mine is to shadow medical professionals before entering the field to make sure this is the career you want to pursue in your future. Being a doctor is more than making money and more than a job. It is more about taking care of patients and putting them first. A healthcare professional is going to be diagnosing and treating patients. People's lives are in your hands and you have to be fully aware of that. Another piece of advice is to seek out trusted mentors and advisors to help during difficult times because there are some courses that are going to make you second-guess your career choices. These people will guide and help you remember why you started this journey in the first place. Lastly, have a vision board. Print out pictures, write things down on paper and place them on a vision board and always keep it in front of you. This will help you remember and guide you to where you are planning to be in a few years. These three pieces of advice will set you up for success.