We had the pleasure of getting to speak with a former MEDLIFEr, Michael, about his time as a MEDLIFE chapter e-board member and how that informed his choice to switch from a pre-med career path to engineering. Michael's story is a perfect example of how leadership and service can extend beyond the medical field, and how being involved with MEDLIFE doesn't just have to be for medical students. If you or someone you know is interested in MEDLIFE but aren't particularly pursuing a medical career path, hearing Michael's story could be the perfect example of how to get involved and still pursue your own interests. Check out the full interview below!
Michael Walker
MEDLIFE: Tell us your name and the school you attended.
Michael:
Okay, well, my name is Michael Walker, and the school I went to is Mississippi State University.
MEDLIFE: And what was your E-Board title?
Michael:
I was the Vice President of Recruitment. I went around campus setting up events, advertising for MEDLIFE, and explaining what we do. It was a lot of outreach and helping people understand how they could get involved.
MEDLIFE: How did you first hear about MEDLIFE? What initially drew you to it?
Michael:
I was a pre-med student for chemical engineering, and I knew there had to be some sort of med-related group on campus. I wanted to do a mission trip or something that genuinely helped people. I asked some of my friends in the biology building, and someone told me about MEDLIFE. At the time, I thought it was just a club on campus, so I signed up, got involved, and the rest is history.
MEDLIFE: Did you end up traveling with your chapter?
Michael:
No, unfortunately, I didn't. But I did organize a trip to Peru for us.
MEDLIFE: What was it like to organize that trip?
Michael:
Well, we had to get funding for it, because some students didn’t have the financial means. So, we created an online campaign and reached out to people, explaining what we were doing. Friends and family from back home contributed once I explained how the funds would be used. They were really happy to know the money was going toward a meaningful purpose, not just a club activity. And once everything was set up, it all just flowed from there.
MEDLIFE: So, you mentioned that you originally planned to go to med school. What was the turning point for you to decide to turn into engineering?
Michael:
I was very interested in med school. I took the MCAT, did shadowing, and all of that. But towards the end, I realized that I liked to organize and build things out for other people. I saw how organizations like Doctors Without Borders would struggle with broken equipment or disorganized systems. That made me realize I could contribute by designing better systems to help them work more efficiently. You know, less equipment breakage, more data and information to kind of give them a better idea of who to help and when. It was a turning point for me when I saw how MEDLIFE chapters did great work but faced operational challenges. I thought, I could fix that, I could help by improving those systems.
MEDLIFE: Do you think that MEDLIFE has influenced how you show up in your work or life today?
Michael:
Definitely. MEDLIFE helped me realize that there are many more people willing to help than we think. I always knew a lot of people in the world needed help, but I assumed only a few would be willing to help. Once I joined MEDLIFE, I saw my friends, chemical engineers, psychology majors, sociology majors, and pre-med students, come together to use their skills for something meaningful. It made me realize that there are people that are willing to help, they just don’t know how. That’s helped me in my workplace and life in general. I now try to show people how they can contribute, even if they’re unsure of their own path. Just showing them how can be enough to help them take the next step.
MEDLIFE: Do you think MEDLIFE is beneficial for people who are still unsure of their career path?
Michael:
Oh, absolutely. Even now, I’m doing this, but I will go back into med at some point. I know my younger sister would benefit from something like MEDLIFE. She’s studying radiology, but she doesn’t know if she should go toward medical school or nursing. She would love for her school to have a MEDLIFE chapter because she saw how it helped me and my friends. I think being part of a group like MEDLIFE would really help her solidify her choices.
MEDLIFE: What advice would you give someone who's unsure of their career path?
Michael:
I used to stress a lot about how to be a better engineer or doctor. But MEDLIFE taught me to focus on the “why” instead of the “how.” Once I focused on why I wanted to help people, it became less important to worry about how I would do it. Whether it’s med or engineering, the “how” will come later. Once I focused on the “why,” I wasn’t as stressed about whether I would get into med school or whether I’d be a doctor. MEDLIFE helped me realize that helping people is the most important part, and the rest will follow.
Like Michael said, for those interested in leadership and service, especially at the university level, the focus should start on the "why," and the "how" will follow. Giving back doesn't just have to be done through a medical lens. There are so many other paths one can take that can contribute to global health, poverty reduction, and breaking barriers to access, and MEDLIFE is the perfect way to explore these topics.
If you are passionate about global healthcare access, leadership, and service, consider joining or starting a MEDLIFE chapter. You can connect with like-minded individuals, build valuable life skills, and give back in a meaningful, sustainable way. To learn how to get started with MEDLIFE today, fill out the interest form below, download our brochure, or learn more about our school chapters here!