Another example of the media's influence on my life is its depiction of the medical field. I have always aspired to have a career in medicine, and the media through its television program's provides me insight to this astounding area of science. Shows like "Trauma: Life in the E.R", and "911" depict the sights and sounds of hospitals and the practice of medicine. These programs allow me to be there on the cutting room floor, where life altering decisions are made with the hope of improving or maintaining another human's life. While these programs allow me to share in the experience of medical wonders the media pales in comparison to actually experiencing medical phenomena first hand. My father served in the United States Air Force as a medical technician for the last 20 years. He arranged for me to work at Luke Air Force Base's hospital as a Red Cross Volunteer for the summers of 2000 and 2001. This allowed me to experience the medical field first hand. I was able to see the inner-workings of the hospital and speak with the different specialists of medicine. This time helped me to realize what it felt like to actually be in the medical field, something the media could never do. So while I value the images and scenarios presented by the media, actually being there constituted a far greater experience.
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