Scholarships allowed me to pursue my passion for ultrasound
By: Ivy Williams
BSDMS Class of 2019
I definitely did not take the traditional path to get to Bellin College. In high school, I was interested in ultrasound but I was accidentally pushed in the wrong direction. I was told that UW Oshkosh would be getting a bachelor’s program for ultrasound, but it really was for x-ray. I had to choose to transfer out or change my major. I thought that changing my major would be easier, but I was wrong. Once I got into my core classes, I realized that I was not as happy as I thought I should be. After many discussions with family and friends, I decided to take some time off to figure out what my next move was. I decided to look into ultrasound programs in my area. There are not many options for Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs in the state, so I chose one close by. I was thankfully accepted into their program and thought that was the end of my journey. One day I was scrolling through Facebook when an ad popped up for a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Bellin College. When I was in high school, I did not think that I could afford a private school on my own, so I did not do too much research on Bellin College. Even when I first started looking at their ultrasound program, I was not sure how I was going to afford it. I emailed the Admissions Team to learn more about the program and what the cost would be. One of them convinced me to attend an information session, which was the best decision I made. All of my questions were answered and by attending the information session I found out that Bellin College offered a ton of scholarships. After that, I knew that I could afford to attend and decided I had to go to college here.
I chose Bellin College because I fell in love with the top of the line technology, the small class sizes, the friendly atmosphere, and the unique program. The technology that is available for students to use is amazing. I have never seen so much high-tech equipment in one facility and they let us use it constantly. I love having the smaller class sizes because you really get to know everyone in your classes and there’s a lot more one on one time with the professors. This really helps with learning, especially if you have questions or do not understand a certain topic. Everyone at the college is so friendly. I cannot walk through school without having conversations with a few people. Bellin did a wonderful job creating their ultrasound program. They truly care about our wellbeing and want us to be extremely marketable upon graduation. We take an ergonomics course early on, teaching us proper body mechanics while scanning and stretches and strengthening exercises to help prevent injury. This is important because sonographers have a high risk of injury in their shoulders and backs. I have noticed an improvement in my shoulder since we started and I am thankful we have the knowledge to help us prevent injuries so we can scan for a long time. We also take four boards before graduation, which is unique to only a few colleges across the nation. Because of this, I predict that we will have people fighting over who gets to hire us at graduation.
Once I became a student at Bellin College, I had this urge to be involved on campus. I was not really involved at my other college, so this was different for me. The first opportunity that came my way was to be a class representative for Student Senate. I enjoy being able to give back to the students on campus and host fun events. School can get stressful and it is nice to offer small events to take our minds off of classes, even if it is only for a short while. I am now the outreach coordinator and get to talk to people about fundraising opportunities. Recently I was inducted into the medical imaging honor society and voted president-elect. I am really excited to be part of this prestigious club and to represent the advancement in medical imaging. Bellin College also gave me many opportunities to volunteer. I attended many Hands on Healthcare events and I also volunteered at Find Your Inspiration, a career exploration event for 8th graders put on by the local Chamber of Commerce. These events are my favorites because I get to teach students about ultrasound. My passion for ultrasound has grown tremendously since I began my education and I love being able to show off how amazing my future profession is.
Recently I began working at the college as a Student Ambassador and Student Concierge. Both of these jobs get me talking to people, which is something I love to do. As an Ambassador, I meet and talk with prospective students about the different program options offered at Bellin. I also have opportunities to travel to schools in the area to talk to students of all ages about ultrasound and Bellin. As a student concierge, I assist students and visitors that need help around the campus and occasionally I give tours. I enjoy showing off how amazing Bellin’s campus is.
As I enter my second year in the ultrasound program, I am really looking forward to clinical. This is an opportunity for me to show off my knowledge and to learn as much as I can from my instructors. I have the chance to scan real patients, which is scary but also exciting. I have been asking several questions and have absorbed so much new information from my amazing instructors. I can point out and scan so much more than I could at the beginning of the semester. I have also learned lots of tips and tricks on how to get the best images possible, which has made me a better sonographer. It is amazing how far I have come in one year and I am so excited for the journey ahead.
