Sandra Maxwell
Power Words
Where were you born?
England
What school did you attend?
The Catholic University of America for my Nursing degree. I also received a BA in Biology/Psychology from Hood College, prior to earning my nursing degree
What gained you interest in the NIH?
I learned about the NIH through one of my classmates at Catholic University. As a local high school student, I attended a “Medicine for the Public” teaching at the NIH. Only came to a few sessions, but knew then that I wanted to go into some form of healthcare or helping field for my career.
What kind of work do you do at the NIH?
I am a Research Nurse Specialist and Regulatory Affairs Consultant
What message would you like to send to young Hispanics who are considering going to college?
Your success does not depend on your background, race or ethnicity. Success is determined by your own determination to not give up and to push through any obstacles and adversity you may face. It’s like the expression “It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s a matter of how many times you get back up”. So, if you feel called to pursue a career in the STEM fields, then I would encourage you to find a school that fits you. Before that and most importantly find someone in the field you are interested in that would be willing to mentor you or at least sit down with you and tell you about their story and how they got to where they are. And if possible, shadow that person for a day or week and see what the career/job really looks like and get a real idea of what that may look like for you.