Maya Chandler: When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens

Over ten weeks during the summer of 2022, I worked as a genetic counseling intern with the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) at the Greenwood Office. Working in one of the nation's leading genetic centers alongside clinical and laboratory genetic counselors and interacting with a wide variety of patients provided new and enriching experiences, albeit emotionally draining at times. My most memorable experience, though, was getting the opportunity to intern at GGC in the first place.

For background, I knew I wanted a healthcare career; however, I only had a concrete plan for post-graduation once I decided to pursue genetic counseling during my sophomore year. Although twenty years old is not an unreasonable or unrealistic age to figure out what my future career will be, I had to immediately start searching for graduate programs and applying for junior-year internships, which was daunting and overwhelming.

I applied to the genetic counseling internship at the GGC Greenville Office for the summer of 2022 but unfortunately did not receive it. Rejection was an unfamiliar, uncomfortable experience for me. I remember receiving the kindly worded yet devastating email that I was not selected to continue with the interview process for the internship. I had felt my dream to be a genetic counselor was unattainable since I did not have a backup plan. I underestimated my competition for the position—and assumed I was undoubtedly qualified. 

As the famous saying goes, "when one door closes, another door opens." The director of the diagnostic laboratory at GGC had declined an intern for the summer of 2022, leaving an empty spot I would soon fill. In May, I began working as a genetic counselor intern. My role was to accompany genetic counselors at patient appointments in the clinic and work behind the scenes with genetic counselors and technicians in the diagnostic laboratory.

Although I applied to the genetic counseling internship to later become a clinical genetic counselor, I was exposed to another side of the career: laboratory genetic counseling. Throughout my ten weeks, I worked on a project to analyze the diagnostic and clinical utility of rapid whole-genome sequencing. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, rapid whole-genome sequencing maps a patient's entire genetic makeup quickly and accurately to deliver a diagnosis as fast as possible.

With genetics, a diagnosis is rare because you're often working with a small section of DNA that contains genes that researchers may be unfamiliar with their function or associated disorder. I had the privilege of working alongside genetic counselors and laboratory technicians in their journey to shorten the diagnostic odyssey and change patients' lives.

This was when I realized that genetic counseling is the field I'm meant to be in, and I'm grateful I didn't let rejection stand in the way. I could have wallowed in self-pity and never allowed myself to be uncomfortable in a new experience. I could have given up my dream to be a genetic counselor. I could have squandered my passion for making a difference in the lives of patients affected by genetic disorders. Yet, I didn't allow myself to do any of that.

Instead, I begin applying for other internships. I filled out countless applications and anxiously waited for any sign of good news. Eventually, I landed an internship with GCC and finally achieved a long-awaited goal. I would have been happy with any internship at that moment, but I had no idea how life-changing my internship at GCC would be.

I found people who believed in my abilities and helped foster my knowledge and passion for genetics. On the first day of my internship, I was greeted by directors and genetic counselors who would soon become my mentors. Anxiousness and fear of a new experience quickly turned into enthusiasm with the guidance of my mentors and a lot of personal reflection and growth.

I made invaluable connections with patients, which taught me how to take rejection with grace, dignity, and laughter. Because a diagnosis can be rare, many patients continuously receive rejection from healthcare providers. I met countless patients with life-altering disorders and congenital conditions, but I never met a patient without a smile on their face. I felt personally connected to patients and families while sitting face-to-face in a small examination room. Hearing their stories of navigating life with a genetic disorder and their journeys toward a diagnosis altered my outlook and put my experience with rejection into perspective.

Although the genetic counseling internship at the Greenville campus would have certainly provided valuable educational experiences likewise to my internship, I was able to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families within my community in Greenwood. Receiving a rejection email for a long-awaited internship was just the push I needed to overcome my fear of failure and be open to unexpected experiences—and always have a backup plan.

Maya Chandler is a biology major with chemistry and psychology minors, expecting to graduate in the spring of 2023. She interned at the Greenwood Genetic Center Greenwood office for ten weeks during the summer of 2022. Maya plans to attend graduate school for genetic counseling in the fall of 2023.