Opening Doors: Joey Schneck Reflects On His Journey To Pre-Health Terps Presidency

To introduce myself, I would like to start with a short background about how I got here.

My journey with Pre-Health Terps started with a newsletter email from Maryland Made. I saw that there was a meeting for UMD athletes interested in pre-health careers and thought it could be a good opportunity for me. I did not know anyone else going to the meeting, but decided to give it a shot. I had no idea that one decision would influence the rest of my college journey. Making that decision has opened the door for me to be part of so many more opportunities, including being able to write to you all now.

Anyone who has been part of a pre-health track can tell you that other pre-health students can come off as quite competitive. Ironically, in a room full of Division I athletes, I have never met a group of people who are more willing to put aside the competition to help and uplift one another. The environment fostered by PHT has allowed me to continue to feel the passion I have for medicine and make lasting connections with others who feel the same way, while also providing guidance on becoming a medical professional.

Since my first meeting, I have served as Director of Recruitment and Engagement and, now, as President. I am extremely confident in this group's potential to become successful health professionals, and I am thankful to have gotten to be at least a small part of their journey.

As this year’s President, I address this letter to the current and future Pre-Health Terps, sharing my appreciation, gratitude, and encouragement:

Dear Pre-Health Terps,

By joining this organization, you are in store for an experience that you will cherish both during college and beyond. You will be surrounded by a family of people who are excited and passionate about health and medicine. You will have the opportunity to meet new people who could become some of your closest friends and cheerleaders. I remember battering all the upperclassmen with questions about what professors to take and which classes would be fun or interesting. Now being an upperclassmen myself, I hope I can pay it forward with any of the questions you all may have.

You are going to be challenged to become introspective, examining who you are and what your passion is. You are going to be asked to step out of your comfort zone, being asked to share your story and what drives you to pursue healthcare. While this may sound intimidating, trust that it will only benefit you as you figure out what path you want to take and prepare you for when you are applying to jobs and graduate schools.

This year, I am especially excited to introduce you all to some fun volunteering opportunities, as well as experiences where you will meet and talk with current healthcare professionals. I hope that you will always feel welcome to ask questions and use PHT as a resource to further your progress in reaching your goals.

This journey can challenge even the strongest of wills, but it is my hope that being in PHT will never make you feel alone. Branch out and sit with a new group of people at every meeting. Try to learn about a new healthcare career at every meeting. Give yourself the chance to take a leap of faith into a choice that will open up even more doors for you. Your journey may not work out how you think it will or how you hope it does. But believe me, it will all work out one way or the other.

I look forward to having the best year! See you all soon!

Best,

Joey Schneck