Picture of Jess Deutsch with her roommates Jen Lublin ’91 M.D., and Robin Farley ’91 at a football game!
Jess Deutsch, ’91, is the Associate Director of Health Professions Advising at Princeton. She counsels undergraduates and alumni who are considering careers in the health professions and develops programming to enhance students’ preparedness. She is a member of the Committee on the Health Professions at Princeton and the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions.
HCP: How would you describe your Princeton experience? How has your perspective on your Princeton experienced changed since you graduated?
My Princeton experience was something I treasure. The chance to be independent for the first time in a place that is so filled with opportunities — that is something I appreciated at the time, and I still do. In English and American Studies, I had the chance to think about and write about ideas that mattered to me (in literature and life!), and I got to figure out what my real strengths, interests, and also what my weaknesses were. Princeton was a safe place to explore, make mistakes, and grow as a person. Probably most importantly, the friends I made here are my closest, best, most important people forever (including of course my husband, Ted, also ’91).
I worry that today’s Princeton students were under way too much pressure to get here. I think many current students are too burnt out to fully enjoy it the way we did. Also, because we didn’t really have the Internet (I think there was a little email system some engineers used!) or Facebook, we were not as much in touch with our high school friends or our families during college, so maybe as Princeton students we were even closer to each other?—we were all we had! Sometimes when I see students walking around on their cell phones I think they might be missing out on being fully present and immersed like we were. (But, I probably sound very “old school” in saying that.)
HCP:You have an amazing job: preparing Princeton’s future doctors for medical school! How did you end up on this career path? And what do you like most about your job?
It is something that just evolved. I was always interested in education, and in understanding young people’s stories and aspirations. I did graduate work in Education, and later in Social Work, trying to understand the way family, culture, and motivation influence human development. I developed a lot of experience in nonprofit organizations doing writing and counseling, and then wanted to be in a University setting. My father is a physician. While I always loved knowing doctors and knowing about the work they did and the relationships between doctors and their patients, I never wanted to be a doctor, because I am SO not a science (or, to be honest, blood or guts) kind of person. But I really do love the chance to work with students to prepare for this kind of a life. I kind of wandered into my position, but I love it and feel fortunate to be able to do it.
HCP: Do you have any advice for potential pre-meds who might be reading this? J
Of course there’s the stuff they have to do (classes, gaining experience, etc.) but what I really hope that pre-med students (and ALL Princeton students) do is take advantage of these college years while they have them, and not be so focused on the future that they forget to be here. I think they should walk around campus talking with friends, go to lectures about things they’d never heard of, and definitely go to lots of games, matches, shows, etc. so they can appreciate all the talent here and cheer for each other! Back to the pre-health students, I hope they come see me if they haven’t yet!
HCP: How would you describe your personality?
Well, you’d have to ask my kids, my friends, or the students with whom I work! But, friendly, open, creative – I hope! Maybe I over-think and over-worry, but I care about helping others and want to be someone who can make things happen. Princeton gives you great resources and the confidence to realize that if you are prepared and thoughtful, you can ask almost anyone almost anything – what’s the worst that can happen?!
HCP: How would you describe your style? What is one of your must haves for the winter season: makeup/shoes/clothes?
Oy. I wish my style were more worthy of Vogue coverage. But, I guess during the week I try to be “put together.” I wear a lot of brown, black and grey so I have to remind myself to add some color. “Must have…”? Well, I’d really like to find more accessories with a little leopard-print, but not “too much.” On campus, I’d say that Princeton style has definitely stepped up. When I was a student, we thought we were dressed up if we wore our P’91 sweatshirts right side out. Or, if we wore something that wasn’t sliced up Flashdance style. I hope my fashion sense has improved from all that.