Podcast Summary: Balancing Priorities: A Humanities Major's Journey into Medicine

Podcast: Hillsdale College Podcast Network Superfeed
Show: Beyond the Bubble
Date: May 7, 2025
Host: Chloe Knoller (B)
Guest: Caroline Kopersky (C), Physician Assistant, Hillsdale alumna

Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Caroline Kopersky, a Hillsdale College graduate who majored in Spanish and Economics before embarking on a career as a Physician Assistant (PA). Caroline shares her unique educational path, the reasons behind her choices, how a liberal arts background prepared her for medicine, the importance of balancing life and career ambitions—especially for women—and gives practical advice for students pursuing healthcare professions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caroline's Background and Path to Medicine

• Family & Education
  • Grew up in Syracuse, NY; family from Virginia
  • Four siblings also attended Hillsdale (01:17)
  • Graduated 2015: Majored in Economics and Spanish
• Career Path
  • Realized freshman year she wanted to become a PA
  • Attended PA school in Columbus, OH, then worked in urgent care for four years
  • Moved back to Hillsdale in 2023; now works in telehealth from home

2. Choosing Her Majors

• Motivated by the aftermath of the 2008 recession to study Economics
• Chose Spanish for practicality (tested into advanced level, interest in study abroad)
• Valued interdisciplinary learning and a "liberal education" (02:11–03:10)
• Quote:

  "I really like the idea of a liberal education and, you know, being, being well rounded." (02:58)

3. Deciding on the Physician Assistant Track

• Influenced by her father's career as an anesthesiologist; he discouraged medical school due to its length and inflexibility with family life (03:17)

• A friend suggested exploring the PA profession

• Chose PA for flexibility, shorter training, and better work-life balance (03:20–05:00)

• Reflects that her choice allowed her to be home with her children without full-time daycare

• Quote:

  "I haven't had to send any of my kiddos to full time daycare, which I'm really grateful for and grateful for my dad's advice... he was right for me personally..." (04:43)

4. Hillsdale Education's Role in Preparation

• Felt well-prepared for PA program, both academically and as a well-rounded thinker

• Example: Used knowledge from general education—a classmate didn’t know what a proverb was during a neurological exam practice (05:07–06:08)

• Grateful for the breadth and depth of Hillsdale’s curriculum

• Quote:

  "I've just been grateful for... my Hillsdale education, because I do feel like I was very well prepared for PA school and just for life in general..." (05:51)

5. Balancing Campus Life and Building Experience

• Involved in Greek life, taught swim lessons, worked as a theater photographer

• Volunteered at the Hillsdale Hospital ER, later worked as a nurse’s aide post-graduation (08:36)

• Gained patient care experience required for PA school

• Quote:

  "...some of my best stories of my whole career were actually from working [at the long-term care facility], and just really enjoyed getting to know the patients..." (09:00)

6. Academic and Experiential Choices

• Took 40 science credits rather than majoring in a science; chose humanities for personal interest (11:41)
• Acknowledges it’s less common, but absolutely possible
• The key: Met all prerequisites for PA programs through careful planning

7. Advice for Future Medical Professionals

• Does not regret her non-science major path; encourages students to follow passions, with caveat to carefully track PA program prerequisites (12:55–14:27)
• Tip: Create a spreadsheet for program prerequisites to streamline application process
• For clinical experience:
  • Found nurse’s aide work valuable for communication/bedside manner
  • Recommends ER tech or EMT roles for greater clinical skill-building
  • Values all forms of volunteering, especially service-oriented or medical missions trips (14:40–16:11)
  • Programs often appreciate well-rounded applicants with service backgrounds

8. Work-Life Balance for Women in Medicine

• Shares the flexibility of PA careers, various specialties have different schedules (16:42–20:04)

• Her schedule: three overnight telehealth shifts per week, optimizing time spent at home and with children

• Highlights that nursing and nurse practitioner roles also offer similar flexibility

• Cautions women to carefully consider career demands, but says creative solutions exist for work and family balance

• Quote:

  "There are just lots of creative ways to make it work... So I feel like most careers in healthcare in general kind of do carry this flexibility of being able to still pursue a career, work full time, but also kind of balance it with having a family if that's something that you want." (19:57)

9. Final Reflections and Parting Advice

• Would make small changes (get more sleep, work as an ER tech rather than nurse’s aide), but overall feels well-prepared by Hillsdale

• Endorses the "strength rejoices in the challenge" mindset fostered at Hillsdale

• Encourages students to seek healthy challenge but also prioritize self-care (20:17–21:17)

• Quote:

  "The phrase we all know, strength rejoices in the challenge, like it really is true. And there really is a lot of benefit to be gained from challenging yourself at Hillsdale. And I do think that really does pay off later in life." (20:45)

Memorable Quotes

• On Liberal Education:
  "I really like the idea of a liberal education and, you know, being, being well rounded." (02:58)

• On Parental Advice and Career Choice:
  "I haven't had to send any of my kiddos to full time daycare, which I'm really grateful for and grateful for my dad's advice... he was right for me personally..." (04:43)

• On Being Well Prepped:
  "I've just been grateful... for my Hillsdale education, because I do feel like I was very well prepared for PA school and just for life in general..." (05:51)

• On Healthcare Flexibility:
  "There are just lots of creative ways to make it work... most careers in healthcare in general kind of do carry this flexibility..." (19:57)

• On College Challenge:
  "The phrase we all know, strength rejoices in the challenge, like it really is true. And there really is a lot of benefit to be gained from challenging yourself at Hillsdale." (20:45)

Timeline of Major Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:15 | Caroline’s background and academic path | | 02:11 | Choosing Spanish and Economics as majors | | 03:17 | Decision to pursue the PA profession | | 05:07 | Hillsdale’s role in preparation for PA school | | 06:15 | Campus involvement and early clinical experience | | 08:22 | Gaining clinical patient care hours | | 11:41 | Majoring in humanities vs. sciences for healthcare careers | | 12:55 | Advice on choosing classes and preparing for PA school | | 14:40 | Volunteering, internships, and valuable pre-PA experiences | | 16:42 | Flexibility and encouragement for women in medicine | | 20:17 | Final reflections and advice |

Takeaways for Aspiring PAs and Humanities Majors

• Major choice can be flexible: Focus on meeting prerequisites and give yourself permission to study what you love.
• Early, sustained patient care experience is key—seek out roles with strong clinical exposure.
• Service and volunteer work are highly valued, not just for program applications but for personal growth.
• Healthcare careers can offer significant flexibility, especially for those seeking work-life balance.
• Challenge is foundational to growth, but self-care (like adequate sleep) is essential for sustainable success.

Conclusion

Caroline Kopersky’s journey illustrates that non-traditional paths into healthcare—like majoring in humanities—can be just as rewarding and successful as more conventional routes, provided students plan carefully and play to their strengths. Her reflections highlight the enduring value of a broad-based education, the importance of self-knowledge in career planning, and the numerous ways that medical careers can adapt to personal and family aspirations.