This past weekend I went on my third HOSA trip.
Before I talk specifically about this year’s trip, I feel that it is important to talk about what the HOSA trip is in itself. HOSA, also known as Future Health Professionals (I know you’re wondering how “HOSA” stands for that, don’t worry, they just changed the name. It used to be “Health Occupation Students of America.”), hosts a State Leadership Conference every year in Atlanta. The conference is a chance for students interested in healthcare to learn more about careers, meet other students, and compete. The Georgia chapter of HOSA is also the biggest in the country, so the conference is usually pretty cool.
That being said, this year was the first State Leadership Conference since COVID struck. I’ve attended the conference two times before, meaning I knew the excitement around the trip and the potential it holds. I was pretty excited to know the conference would not only be held but that it would be an in-person event.
As an officer, I’ve worked for months in our own chapter to spread the word about the event and also pique some interest. Also before the conference, I chose what I would compete in and also prepared for it. I decided to compete in Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking, meaning I had to research and write an essay (pretty easy considering all that I’ve done for IB?).
I squeezed writing the essay in between work and IB stuff, and before I knew it I was loading the bus.
The trip in itself was packed with activities and memories, but to quickly list some of the things I did/attended:
- Attended orientation
- Attended opening session
- Advanced to second round of my event (top 15 baby!)
- Prepared my speech
- Gave my speech
- Went to informational booths about universities, careers, and programs
- Met people campaigning for office
- Attended a workshop about the road to medical school
- Partied and met people from all around the state
I’m sure there’s things that I missed, but that’s all that popped into my mind.
My event in itself was mentally challenging and promoted growth. To be honest, I totally bombed my speech. Not only was I nervous, but I felt rushed and let myself get intimidated by the judges. Sure, I was embarrassed, but also it was something I could look back on and not only laugh at but feel content in the way it forced me to move on and grow.
The State Leadership Conference was bittersweet, as I know it’s likely to be my last. Still, I can smile at the way I have changed with each conference and also the influence I’ve had on my chapter in that regard. I hope some of the younger students carry on some traditions I’ve started, and who knows, maybe you’ll hear about some of them in someone else’s CAS blog?
The Cons of Writing 