VINCENT HO

     I entered UCI thinking I was going to be a pharmacist since I was extremely passionate about chemistry coming in. I still am passionate about it, but it was ultimately not the career that fulfilled me at the end of the day. This realization occurred to me in my third year of undergrad and I was scrambling to figure a career path that matched my ideas. Through the network of AED, I was able to explore numerous professions of the health field, ranging from optometry, dentistry, MD, DO, and physical therapy. I've at least volunteered or worked at those respective careers, all because the people in AED guided me in acquiring those positions. I ultimately found my love for physical therapy and the profession's determination to be deemed the "masters of movement". I honestly would not have been in my situation without the exposure of being involved in AED. Their network is extensive with experienced alumni to help mentor and guide you into the health profession. The opportunities offered to members are not only good to improve yourself on your resume, but mentally and professionally towards higher education. And by far, the support system of other members with you is indeed the best part of the organization through the many difficult times I had throughout my undergraduate career. Ultimately, we practice what we preach and from their guidance I was able to completely switch career paths away from pharmacy in a year and get accepted to one of my top choices in PT schools which was USC—the number one ranked program in the nation for physical therapy. Whenever I look back at what I've accomplished in my undergraduate years, I am always reminded of how much everyone gave to me in order to be where I am today. The ideologies and friends that I made from AED continue on even today, as I represent myself as a UCI Alumni in their professional school dedicated to take care of human beings.