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Briana Callis

855

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1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

My name is Briana. I am a single mom of 2 looking to enter back into the student realm to pursue my degree in clinical radiation sciences - sonography. This has been something that I have wanted to do for about ten years now and I am finally taking the leap of faith. I am most looking forward to learning and understanding this field and making an impact in the field of sonography.

Education

Virginia Commonwealth University

Bachelor's degree program
2024 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies
    • Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other

Capella University

Master's degree program
2014 - 2016
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, Other

Old Dominion University

Bachelor's degree program
2010 - 2014
  • Majors:
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Sonography

    • Dream career goals:

      Margaret J. Davis Scholarship
      Winner
      The current challenge that I am facing as a single mom in college is the balance of it all while also having to worry about how I am going to pay for school and my bills. I think us as women, having to choose between elevating ourselves for our children and still being able to be present with all the demands of taking care of the kids and the bills and everything else that comes along is hard. My goal is providing a better life for my children and I, but often times the challenge of money and time play a huge role in being able to do that. What I learned that shaped my passion for this career in Sonography is that we have the power to cultivate the life we want. Is it hard? Absolutely! However, it is important for our kids to see us work through the hard things. I want a career that is flexible, pays well, and that allows me to be independent while still impacting the lives of others. Most importantly, I want a career that makes my children proud and that I can be proud of everyday. I think it's important to have a job that you don't mind getting up for in the morning. I also believe in going after what you believe should be yours. I have wanted this career for about ten years now but was too afraid to pursue as a result of the fear of failure. I also did not want to be in a position where I was feeling like I was putting anything before my kids. I went through a tough divorce that also shaped my understanding of the purpose of having your own. What I learned is that my kids depend on me to be the best version of myself that I can be. Feeling unfulfilled in my current career was not the best version of me. So, I decided to make a change. My long-term goal for this career is to retire from it, but to also work my way up so that I am able to teach other moms in the field of sonography. I want to eventually open up my own ultrasound clinic as well. The field of ultrasound is a predominantly white female field. I am hoping to help break the barriers of that and add to the field by introducing young black girls and boys to this field as well. This was not something we were taught about or even knew existed growing up. I think representation matters and children need to know that there is more to the medical field than just being a doctor or nurse.