Career Genogram

Scott
Kim
Katherine
Kim
Yang
Kim
Soonza
Kim
Jay
Kim
Kristine
Kim
Amanda
Kim
Jonathan
Kim
Zachary
Kim
-6 Year Medical
School Program at
Boston University
*BA = Medical Science
*MD

-Residency at Duke
University

-Urologist
Triangle Urology
Associates
(private practice)
-University of Southern
California
*BS: General Studies

-University of California
Long Beach
*Curriculum & Instruction

-Homemaker
-Wake Forest
University
*BA = Psychology

-Student
-Durham
Academy
Upper School

-Student
-Riverside High
School

-Student
-Medical School
*MD

-Residency at

-General
Surgeon
-Pharmacy
School

-Pharmacist
-6 Year Medical School
Program in South
Korea
*MD

-Residency in U.S.

-Pathologist
-OR Nurse
Career Genogram

Summary

In fifth grade we learned about the eye, the circulatory system and the respiratory system. We
even got to dissect a cows eye and a pigs heart, and I havent had as cool of a dissection since.
It was that year that I realized I wanted to become a doctor. I thought everything about the
human body and how it worked was fascinating. I also loved the idea of being able to help
people through my love of science. I loved dissecting and enjoyed watching Dr. G, medical
examiner, on the Discovery Health channel. I could also liked to watch veterinarian surgeries,
and did so without any uneasiness. In fact, I found anything having to do with surgery exciting.
So, naturally, I announced to my mom that I wanted to be a surgeon when I grew up. When I told
my mom this, she mentioned that if I wanted a family I might want to rethink my career options.
It was then that I told her I could still have a family. I just needed to find a man who had no
problem with me being the main provider. I remember telling her that gender norms meant
nothing to me.

Unfortunately, during the second semester of my freshman year, I began to develop symptoms of
narcolepsy with cataplexy, except I had no idea that there was a name for the overwhelming
exhaustion and disrupted nighttime sleep. Luckily, I was diagnosed no more than a year and a
half later, at the beginning of my junior year in high school. However, after a year of taking three
to four different medications, I realized that I would probably never be able to be a surgeon. Not
only could I never be on call during the night, but I also wouldnt be able to operate because my
hands shake due to a side effect of the medication. This realization was crushing for me at the
time, but my dad mentioned that I could always work with a machine, removing the need for
steady hands.

So, I entered Wake Forest University as a pre-medicine student. However, after having a year
without most of my accommodations, I was definitely feeling defeated. However, I picked my
self up and began to look at healthcare professions that would allow me to still stay in the
medical field, while also ensuring that I could have a lifestyle more suitable to my needs as a
narcoleptic. So, that is when I found out about the career path of a physician assistant. I didnt
have to take physics and I would only have to go to two years of PA school, instead of four years
of medical school. I could specialize in sleep medicine, allowing me to be someone who not only
has answers but who also knows what it is like to be the patient as well.

Inconveniently, after having researched the curriculum for the two years of PA school as well as
the undergraduate requirements, I have had to realize for some time now, that the healthcare field
might not be in my future. I learned at the Narcolepsy Annual Conference that it take people with
narcolepsy an average of seven to ten years to graduate from undergraduate school. I understand
that this information probably varies due to finances, how bad each persons narcolepsy is, and
what is it each person was pursuing. So, even without that information I know I would be in
school for at least six years in order to graduate and take all of the prerequisite programs. Even
then, there is no guarantee I would make it into PA school because of the competitiveness of the
profession. Its difficult for anyone to get into PA school, so it is going to be VERY difficult for
a person with narcolepsy to be accepted. I know that I could intellectually thrive in PA school, I
just dont know if my health and sanity can handle it. Ive been sleep deprived as an individual
with narcolepsy, and I remember that putting my health first was one of the steps that ultimately
Career Genogram

enabled me to break free of my depression.

As a result, even though my genogram basically screams healthcare and science. I think I will
ultimately be someone who breaks away. Luckily, I love learning for the sake of learning. So, I
have a large variety of interests that involve many different disciplines. I have also changed so
much as an individual in the past two years. I think it also helps that I am learning to accept my
narcolepsy instead of fighting it or pretending it doesnt exist.

My mom and my boyfriend both keep telling me that they could see me as a teacher or as a
school psychologist. I have always had a passion for tutoring, and when I was in high school I
learned what is was like for the first time in my life to struggle academically. I am a little hesitant
about becoming a teacher because I really dont see myself as one. If only I knew why. Even in
high school, I was trained on how to teach young kids how to read. I learned about the illiteracy
problem we have in America and how the average third grade reading level is used to predict
how many prisons a state needs to add in order to compensate for future prisoners. I have also
always seen education as an opportunity. It doesnt matter who you are or how much money
your family has. As long as you learn the material, the opportunities that open before you are
endless.

So who knows? I guess I am more like my mom that I realize! I am currently keeping an open
mind, and I have begun to look into the education field. I am interested in the career field of a
school psychologist or as a part of a wellness program at a college or university.

So, I will at the very least be able to pursue my love of science, by helping people not only
become physiologically healthy but also psychologically. I can help people learn how to be
happy and what tactics might make learning more efficient. While I tutored I loved finding new
ways to explain the same concept, especially if a student of mine was having a difficult grasping
my usual explanations. Every mind works differently after all.

Lastly, the only reason why I am still standing and still persevering is because of the support I
got from psychologists and school counselors. So, if I can do the same thing for at least one
individual I will know that I made a difference. Life is hard. So, if I can use my past experiences
as well as my training to help others I cant think of a better way to spend my time.