ASHLYEE HICKMAN
Living Editor
Pepperdine student by day, phlebotomist-in-training by the time class lets out, freshman Alex Pennekamp works his way to the top. Although he takes classes at two different universities simultaneously, Pennekamp still finds time to attend convocation sessions in the evening— after a nap, that is. Though Pennekamp’s day is literally packed, he looks forward to the obtaining the ultimate goal: becoming Dr. Pennekamp. With hope, determination and a venti cup of stamina, Pennekamp presses on toward his passions.
What are some hardships that you’ve faced at Pepperdine?
When I started working at the hospital not having a car was getting hard.
What do you do with the UCLA medical program?
I’m in two different programs at UCLA. The first is an internship and volunteer job. So far I’ve worked with liver transplants for the first three months. The rotations switch every three months, so now I’m in pediatrics.
When working with liver transplants were you ever grossed out?
Just the initial shock of seeing those kinds of things grossed me out, but once I got to know the inner workings of the health system and understood how it works I built a tolerance toward it.
What is the second program?
The second is a phlebotomy class I just took at UCLA. Right now we need to do 40 hours of clinical work so I can try and get my license.
And you still go to class?
It’s been kind of hard to get to conversation and other scheduled events because of my time commitments. I used to have to get up at four in the morning to get to UCLA. This semester I go to class at Pepperdine for 17 hours, do 18 hours for my phlebotomy class, eight hours of clinical work and sometimes I have to volunteer, too. It’s been really interesting trying to balance. It’s been getting kind of hectic.
How do you have time to spend with friends?
I still hang out with friends. It’s still fun to go out and have fun. I just appreciate it more because I don’t have that much time to do it as often.
What’s your next step after Pepperdine?
Hopefully if everything goes according to plan, I really want to go to UCLA for med school. If not, maybe USC or somewhere in New York.
What makes you want to study to be a doctor?
Ever since I’ve seen the inner workings of the healthcare system I’ve found that there are so many things that need to be changed or improved. I’d really like to do that.
During crunch time, which seems to happen often, what keeps you sane?
It’s just that light at the end of the tunnel. Knowing that everything I’m doing is for a reason. Everything is interrelated and it’s all pretty much going towards that end goal. It’s easy to stay on track because I know everything builds on each other.
03-01-2007