G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness

As an International Affairs Scholar this goal is most prominent to me. Being in the scholars program itself has given me a deeper sense of self and a larger global perspective. The class I took for my scholars’ program, autumn 2014, along with the discussions at the programs bi-monthly meetings helped to engage me with world issues and make me a more informed global citizen. Along with my scholars class I have taken a History of East European Countries class and a Russian History class that have introduced me to new cultures. I traveled to India in May 2015 with IA scholars after taking a class on Indian culture that previous spring semester. This trip was my first foreign experience and really opened my eyes to the similarities between people who live such different lifestyles. It was easy to identify the differences between American culture and Indian, but what I found most striking was how similar these people were to me and my companions, how they had similar worries and thoughts as me. I plan to study abroad in France this summer and am ecstatic to be immersed in French culture. I think traveling and experiencing new cultures helps give people larger perspectives and open their minds, and that it is only with large perspectives and open minds that we can hope to tackle the problems facing the world today and tomorrow.

Original Inquiry

This past fall, I attended a “Getting Started in Research” information session. It got me interested in the possibility of getting involved in research, something I was not considering before. I plan to pursue research opportunities fall 2016. One event I attended for my scholars program, spring 2015, was over the Byrd Polar Research Center at OSU. This event really sparked my interest and I plan to research more into either visiting this center or seeing what opportunities the center has for students. I am interested in climate research and would like to get involved with it in the future. I plan to use the Denman Forum to find research opportunities. I am pursuing a Chemical engineering degree and have created numerous systems and devices for classes. For example, spring 2015, my team and I designed and programmed an Advanced Energy Vehicle.

Academic Enrichment

I am currently pursuing a Chemical Engineering degree with a French minor. My overall goal is to work as a Chemical Engineer in the consumer products sector with a job that allows me to travel often to foreign countries. French is the second most prominent language in the world and I hope by knowing a foreign language my opportunity for travel will be more likely. I am studying abroad this upcoming summer in France. While there, I am taking a French for Science and Technology course that teaches vocabulary and grammar related to the engineering and science industries while introducing students to France’s scientific history. This class will help me become better able to express myself in a professional manner and more aware of the French engineering field.  I have taken several GE courses that have introduced me to different cultures, and helped make me a less ignorant global citizen. Something that I hope I can use to relate to team members working as an engineer.

Leadership Development

I believe leadership is not about what one says, but, about what one does. Lead by example is my leadership motto. I work as a server and am constantly doing my best to stay busy and find extra work to be done when I have down time. I hope my actions inspire others to seek out extra duties in contrast to being idle. I think hard work is a priceless trait to have and is a trait I plan to carry with me in the future. I am a part of the French Club at OSU and plan on running for a leadership position within the club next year. As an engineering student I am constantly put into teamwork positions and I find that I naturally fall into the leadership role and have built my leadership abilities over the past two years with the various group experiences that I have encountered.

Service Engagement

I am of member of the Society of Women Engineers and find several volunteer opportunities through this organization. For example I volunteered at a career fair the organization held and I am participating in a 5K to help fund a local middle school’s STEM program. The club has an after-school program with a local school to help engage students in STEM activities and I would really like to become a part of that in the future. I was introduced to Chemical Engineering through a STEM outreach program and would love to influence others to find STEM fields like I did. Girls are extremely underrepresented in the engineering field and I would like to become involved in outreach programs to introduce girls to STEM fields. I am excited to be taking part in an upcoming event put on by the College of Engineering that makes to restructure children’s toys to be able to be used by kids with disabilities.