I've always been interested in learning, whether that was exploring different cultures, different foods or something I was passionate about. When I was in university, I took classes that I found interesting, such as World War II history, Positive Psychology, and even a class all about the human heart. One summer I studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, experiencing their culture and people, traveling to new places and of course learning about myself in the process. When I eventually graduated, I sought out a job at an academic teaching hospital in Boston, one of the meccas of healthcare in the US. I wanted to learn from the best of the best. In those first few years of my career, I learned a lot about ultrasound; enhancing my skill set, learning to perform difficult exams and taking care of complex patients. After a few years, my eagerness to grow and have new experiences motivated me to take another registry in ultrasound, diving deeper into vascular ultrasound and eventually cross-training into the vascular department. Eventually I got the itch for another change and started looking into moving abroad. One summer abroad wasn't enough for me; I have always wanted to live in another country and really experience a culture different from mine. So after months of research, mountains of paperwork to get my credentials approved, a thorough job search, and a lengthy visa process, I accepted a position and moved to Auckland, New Zealand in March 2023. 

My new position was at the largest academic teaching hospital in New Zealand, in the public sector. I grew a lot as a sonographer and built upon the strong foundation I already had from working in Boston. Ultrasound programs are postgraduate degrees in New Zealand and Australia, so the more thorough education translates to very motivated sonographers who are highly trained. Working under those higher standards enhanced what I already knew, furthering my understanding of ultrasound and increasing my confidence. I brushed up on high-risk obstetrics, picked up endometriosis scanning, and developed a deeper understanding of transplant evaluation and vascular hemodynamics. 

It was bittersweet — I loved New Zealand and had met amazing people — but it was time to return to my family, and I came back inspired and eager to keep learning. I was so inspired by and motivated by all of the growth I experienced in NZ that I actively sought a role where I could continue educating myself. I accepted the position of Sonographer Clinical Practitioner, also known as an Advanced Practice Sonographer. In this role I pre-dictate cases, teach educational seminars and assist in quality assurance. I learn from the radiologists every day, getting more information about the medical side of things and how it relates to what we are doing in ultrasound. I am able to share that knowledge with the sonographers I work with and mentor. I’ve also become more active in the ultrasound community, volunteering with the SDMS and seeking out educational opportunities. 

Knowing myself I can’t sit still, I am now pursuing my Master of Science in Health Professions Education at Boston University. I want to learn how to better educate our staff, keep learning fun and interesting and how to give and receive feedback. I’m excited about understanding the concepts behind teaching, how adults learn differently from children, how to better educate in clinical settings, and anything else I can take away from the program, such as conducting research or different aspects of public and global health. 

All is to say, I consider myself a life-long learner, and I have gained something from every experience I’ve had. Whether that was attending a conference, watching a webinar, or even trying out a job in veterinary ultrasound, I have learned something in each thing I have done, all of which has made me a better sonographer. I know not everyone will be as excited for learning and seek out opportunities like I have, but my hope for other sonographers is to find that thing you are excited about and find ways to learn more about it. Whether that is attending your first conference, signing up for a webinar, or diving deeper into a subspeciality, there are so many ways we can continue to advance our careers. Our field is continuing to grow and evolve as technology advances. We as sonographers should also evolve and learn throughout our careers. Ultimately the more passionate and educated we are about our job, the better care we provide our patients.