Posted by Lieutenant Commander Vanessa Lofton (Counselor) in Counselor’s Office - Cadet Parker-Cawlyns Check In
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Carmen already was starting to like Vanessa. Her room was comfortable, and there was a sort of calming aura around her. She briefly wondered whether she was trained to project comfortable feelings, or if she was just naturally like this.

Carmen thought for a moment about Vanessa’s question. “I would like to accomplish…” she started, before trailing off, one hand going to her ear to fidget with one of her hearing aids. She took a breath, and started again. “I want to help people. That’s why I want to be a doctor. Starfleet is where I think that I could help the best. As long as I’m helping people, healing people, saving lives–that’s where I want to be. I guess that’s not really an accomplishment, per se, but I think you understand.”

-Cadet Parker-Cawlyns

Vanessa smiled, thinking back on her own reasons for becoming a psychologist, and nodded. “I do,” she responded. “It’s a noble calling, and, sadly, one you’ll get called on to use too often in the fleet.”

She sipped her hot chocolate and sighed at the warmth and flavor. “I love hot chocolate. It’s my vice. Are you specializing in any field, or going the general medicine route?”

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS

“I’ve never had hot chocolate, thanks to a life-threatening caffeine allergy.” Carmen had wished to try chocolate when she was younger, but by now she was used to the fact she’d never have it. She gave a little shrug before responding to Vanessa’s question. “I’m trained to do just about everything, but if I were to choose just one practice, I’d be a physical therapist. I spent a month as an intern as one years ago, it was what really cemented my desire to be a doctor.” It hadn’t been an official internship, she had lost half of her left foot in a shuttle accident when she was fifteen. She was sent to a clinic to help her adapt to the bio-synthetic prosthetic, and had pestered the doctors and nurses with enough questions that they gave in and let her follow their internship program. She was good at it, too. She had spent a some time working with a Caitian who had lost both their entire right leg and their tail. They had practically given up, but Carmen was able to help them practice and gain strength with their new limbs, and help them to want to continue on and heal, and even get back to running races.

-Cadet Parker-Cawlyns

“That is unfortunate,” Vanessa said softly. “I’ve heard good things about carob as a caffeine substitute, but haven’t tried it in a chocolate milk replacement.” She tapped her finger to her pursed lips a few times. “Interesting thought.”

“I haven’t checked out the Challenger’s physical therapy setup, but most ships I’ve been aboard have a good, if small, area. Those facilities are usually only for short-term rehabilitation; anything longer term is handled on a starbase or planetside.”

She set her cocoa down on the saucer and lay her arm across the back of the sofa. “Physical therapy tends to be a solo endeavor, one on one with a patient. Most of your work aboard ship will be as part of a team, whether it’s in sickbay or on an away team. How well do you work in a team? What role do you find yourself taking?”

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS

ooc: Wow, you’re really making me think about my character! I hadn’t even thought to consider most of your questions! I actually took the 16 personalities quiz for Carmen so I could get a better idea of what she would be like! (she’s a ESFJ-A)
ic: Carmen shifted herself into a more comfortable position on the couch while she gathered her thoughts. “I’m good in a team, but I’m not much of a leader. I can do my job in a team as long as everybody else does theirs.”