Post #2

Leadership is a very important aspect in both the discipline of biology and Spanish. In biology, it is important to be proactive in terms of research. If there is an area of research that has not been explored heavily, it is necessary to take a leadership role. You have to attempt to secure grants, hire research assistants, and collaborate with other labs. In this sense, the paradigm that biology professionals share is one of collaborative leadership. Everyone’s research uses principles and methods that were developed by others, and oftentimes labs collaborate with each other when their research is similar. Each lab has a principal investigator who heads the lab, but everyone who works there has their own responsibilities delegated to them, and there is a definite sense of community among those who work in the same lab. Ethically, there are certain responsibilities when using human samples. It is important to not reveal any information about patients who have donated tissue samples to be researched. It is also important not to do research that might cross ethical guidelines established by the scientific community. Leadership is also important in the discipline of Spanish. Many Spanish majors become translators after graduation, and as a translator it is vital to be a part of the community. You are acting as a liaison between the English and Spanish speaking communities, and it is necessary to demonstrate authentic leadership. Ethically, it is important to treat everybody with respect. I work as a medical interpreter in a free clinic, and although the clientele are below the poverty line and often do not speak Spanish, they should still be treated like a patient in any other hospital. Regardless of your personal feelings on illegal immigration or other political issues, ethical leadership is critical in the discipline of Spanish interpretation.