Nikita Amin, Theta Chapter - March 2020

What are you doing today and how did joining Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc. prepare you for this? Currently I work at VCU Health in Richmond, Virginia in the clinical microbiology lab as a medical laboratory scientist. We test for pathogens, including bacterial, viral, and fungal, in all body sites using a variety of testing platforms. We recently developed a laboratory developed test for the detection of the COVID19 virus that we launched this past week. I would say that the teamwork skills that I learned while in Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc. helped me prepare for this important time in my career.

What were your biggest challenges and struggles? My biggest challenges/struggles working full time were trying to balance a healthy work/life balance. My career is very important to me, but so is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including physical and mental. So, to balance that, I exercise regularly, make time for friends/family post-work and the weekends (when I'm not working), read, and travel as much as possible. The COVID19 pandemic has tested my work/life balance but I've learned that substitutions for this temporary time are helpful. Instead of working out at the gym, I've taken on learning yoga. Instead of hanging out with friends, I make time to FaceTime and check in on them regularly. Tough times don't last, tough people do! :)

What is your favorite part of your position/career/field? Right now my favorite part of my career, although stressful, is that my lab is in the front lines of the COVID19 pandemic. We developed a test that will give physicians answers faster, leading to prompt patient care. Everyday the pandemic is changing but nonetheless, I show up everyday for my community and I wouldn't have it any other way.

What do you perceive are the benefits of joining Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc.? The benefits of joining Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc. are endless. Not only have I met my lifelong friends, I've learned valuable skills that I will use in my life and career. I've learned patience, compassion, team building, leadership and networking skills, and above all else, the value of friendships.

What advice do you have for women that are attempting to follow your career path? Don't be afraid to do something out of the ordinary. Not many people know about my career path and the best way that I explain to people when they ask what I do is: "Do you know when you go to the doctor and they ask what's wrong, and take samples for testing? Well I'm the one that runs your tests to tell the doctor what's wrong!" My job is very behind the scenes but at the end of the day, very humbling. It's a job that caters very well to my personality and the kinds of things that interest me. So my biggest advice is find your interests and passions, and go for it! It will make work feel less like work and more like a hobby (that you're getting paid for!)

How do you measure your success? In terms of the COVID-19 pandemic in the laboratory setting, I measure success in getting test results out to our patients in a timely manner. Tests can fail, so being able to recognize that a test is working and physicians are going to get their answers ASAP for the sake of a patient, is how I currently measure success in the lab. At the end of the day, fast and accurate results could potentially save the life of a patient. In terms of life, I have small daily goals and bigger life goals. I measure success if I work towards those goals everyday. Gym regularly, read regularly, eat healthy, drink enough water, practice mindfulness are just a handful of personal goals that I try to work towards everyday. I'm not perfect, but they say that practice makes perfect. So, I may falter at these goals every now and then, but overall if I'm at least trying, then I consider that a success. In terms of bigger life goals, I maintain health in all areas of my life - including mental, physical, relationships, and career. I never enjoy doing the bare minimum. I try to go above and beyond my call of duty - so if that means checking up on a friend I haven't spoken to in awhile or picking up an extra project at work to enhance my career, I consider that success towards my life goals.

Be sure to follow Nikita on instagram, @nikita_amin to stay up to date on her future discoveries at VCU!