Picking and pursuing a degree requires some exploring for students. Alumnus Emanoil Shafik explored various opportunities at CSI, and attributes his leadership and strong academic foundation to the College’s resources.
From earning his Associate’s degree to his current profession as a practicing podiatrist, Shafik is continuing to broaden his knowledge and experience in his career path. Although he earned his AS, BS, and MS at CSI, he also attended Yale University to complete his Master of Public Health degree, which is beneficial for students who are interested in both podiatric medicine and public health. He also studied at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, where he finished podiatric med school and is now a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) at the Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), serving as a Podiatric Medical Resident in RUMC’s residency program.
As a DPM, Shafik trains and learns how to treat and diagnose lower-body injuries and conditions ranging from ankle or foot injuries and even a broader range of problems like disease, infections, and congenital defects.
In his experience in the field, Shafik has been through a lengthy journey like any career path in science and is also pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA), where he hopes to develop his skills even further in Healthcare Management. Throughout this long journey, the value he holds for CSI’s resources and support has been pivotal in shaping his career. Specifically, he emphasized how important it was to be able to shadow local podiatrists. The passion that Shafik also holds for his profession, which allows him to help and impact people directly, is a reflection of his time spent in Student Government.
“My experience as Student Government President at CSI cultivated my dedication to service, which seamlessly aligns with the values of patient-centered care,” he said.
The diverse student body and the inclusive atmosphere are some of the key qualities that have made Shafik’s experiences at the College invaluable to him. It helped him develop his interpersonal skills, which are essential to patient care, and other tools that he needed through dedicated professors and the right coursework.
“The College provides all the necessary premedical coursework required for admissions to programs such as MD, DO, or DPM, and choosing CSI was one of the best academic and financial decisions I’ve made.”
Along with the strong academic foundation, Shafik recognizes CSI for the sense of purpose it gave him, and the opportunity it gives to all students with remarkably affordable tuition. With student loans being a major obstacle for college students across the U.S. and having the opportunity to finish his studies debt free, Shafik has seen the difference financially in his professional and personal life.
Other than the time spent on his podiatric work studying, and keeping others healthy, Shafik also makes sure to keep good track of his own health by working out four to five times a week.
Besides that, he explained, “When I’m not studying or at the gym, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife and our three-year-old husky. Together, we enjoy a peaceful and balanced lifestyle.”
Shafik credits many resources like the ones mentioned at CSI or others like résumé workshops and admissions guidance. All of these were key reasons for how he took his career one step further and how students taking different or similar routes can achieve the same goals.
By Kyle Cicero
