Hello! I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and I am a physics and astrophysics double major in the Environmental and Natural Resources Scholars program. I love skiing, kayaking, hiking, and bike riding. This year, I want to try new clubs and join some student associations that I would not normally try so that I can break out of my comfort zone and expand my horizons. I hope I can make new friends and learn something outside of the classroom. I would also like to get more involved in service. Academically, I hope to determine the career path I want to take as well as the type of undergraduate research in which I want to involve myself. Currently, I am interested in doing astrophysics research as a career, but I am open to other career options. As for Honors and Scholars, I hope to learn new skills that will help me learn more about my environment and allow me to grow more as a leader. Specifically, I want to learn about the environmental issues affecting the Columbus area through service activities and camping trips. Overall, my ultimate goal for my OSU career to take the experiences and knowledge I gain from ENR as well as the other clubs I get involved in and apply them to my career, no matter what I end up doing.
Month: August 2016
Year in Review
Below are some photos that I believe nicely illustrate my first year in ENR and at OSU.
TRUE FACT: Learning How the Bus System Works Creates a Lasting Bond
This picture is from the last day of class in the fall semester. A group of my friends celebrated my friend, Serena’s birthday on this day. This was the first time that we went to the Short North alone on a busy night. We only knew to go to the Short North because of the trip we took in September with the entire scholars group. We definitely messed up a few times trying to find the right COTA bus and we made the mistake of going to the wrong campus bus stop, therefore missing the campus bus that we needed to get on. However, we learned a lot about transportation in Columbus as well as on campus, and we all agreed that the night was one to remember. I have never laughed so much in one dinner outing, and I am so glad that I got to share this learning experience with some of my now closest friends.
Expanding Horizons and Learning that I Shouldn’t Get on Certain Friends’ Bad Sides
This experience was the best one for me. Throughout the year, ENR has pushed me to try some new things and learn some new skills. As a result, I have always learned more about campus and I walk away feeling much more connected to the university. I have always wanted to try archery, and I was so excited to hear that ENR was having an archery event with the Archery Club! This experience was very formative for me in the sense that I could try something that I found I was surprisingly good at, and relate it to my past experiences. I am so thankful for this event, since I found that my past golf experience makes me a quite good archer, and since I was able to meet and truly hit it off with the members of the Archery Club. It was all-around a great experience.
Stop, Drop Your Target Bags, and Take a Picture
ENR has certainly taught me that there are certain moments in life that you just have to capture– through photos that is. I have always had an appreciation for nature, but this scholars group has heightened it to the point where I want to capture and save aspects of this Earth. I think that now, taking pictures makes me more aware of my surroundings, and I am able to remember the places I’ve visited and the experiences I’ve had on this great, lovely planet. My friends and I were walking back from Target (on a very cold February night I might add) and saw this image at the tail-end of the sunset. It is a truly gorgeous picture, and we just had to brave the cold to take it. So, we ran in to the tower, dropped off our groceries, and ran outside to get these pictures. Of course we brag about them, and I think that I ran faster than a sprinter in a 200m dash. Worth it.
Stay on the Trail, but if the Trail is Moss then Feel Free to Pop a Squat
ENR has only intensified my hiking passion. When on a trip with another club to West Virginia, Serena and I discovered that the entire trail area was covered in newly-grown moss. Since it had been so cold, it was refreshing to see the first signs of spring, and we had no problem sitting on the wet ground and rolling around in the moss. I think that before coming to this school, I would hike, but I would never really want to get dirty. Now, when on hikes, I stop at certain plants to look at them, take more adventurous routes that most-likely end up covering me in dirt, and find moss to sit in. Honestly, because of this program, I have way more fun hiking, as I have a new sense of discovery and challenge. I am never unsatisfied with a hike now, because I make it worthwhile.
Columbus To-Do List
Columbus To-Do List: Part 1
I have chosen to explore German Village this semester. I am most looking forward to visiting the book loft because I want to experience a new way of shopping for and reading books. From this assignment, I hope to take away some knowledge of a culture that I have not experienced before. I want to learn about the businesses in the neighborhood and how they operate, the lifestyle that the residents carry, and the different ways that foods that I know are prepared and served. So far, my roommate, Taylor, and I have visited Thurman’s Cafe. When we walked in, we immediately noticed the unusual decorations in the dining area. The walls are covered will one dollar bills; it appears that it was a tradition that customers would draw a picture or leave a note on a dollar bill and give it to the owners to put on the wall. We spent time reading the notes and drawings and were pleasantly surprised to find intricate artwork, funny jokes, and pieces of advice on the bills. We also noticed that the ceiling was covered in old beer boxes, and the other decorations, like a deer head and a parking meter, were decorated in the same, cunning fashion as the walls and the ceiling. We concluded that this restaurant reminded us of a typical man-cave, and the food was no different. Thurman’s is known for its oversized, “manly,” burgers, so it was no surprise that are sandwiches and fries were just as huge. Nonetheless, our meals were well-portioned for the price, and the flavor was fantastic. We thoroughly enjoyed the fun, boyish atmosphere in this restaurant as well as the casual and efficient service. We learned that a restaurant can be more than just food- it can be the owner’s personality. We were truly entertained and delighted by this experience, and I would recommend it to all of the meat-lovers and well-humored people out there.
Columbus To-Do List: Part 2
For the rest of German Village, we went to the park, the Sausage Haus, the Book Loft, and Pistacia.
At the park, Taylor and I took a walk, admired the plant life and dogs, and attempted to climb a tree. The weather was very nice and there was a good amount of open space to walk and enjoy the park. There were plenty of benches and places to sit by trees. Also, the park was very clean. From this experience, I learned about a new park to take the dog that I will have when I live off campus. I think this park will be a good one for my future dog because there were other, friendly dogs that could be potential friends and there was a great deal of pen space for running and playing. Overall I was impressed with this park and would recommend it to a friend.
At the Sausage Haus, we enjoyed some lovely cream puffs. The restaurant was rather crowded so we did not eat inside of it. We did see the authentic atmosphere on which the restaurant prides itself. The serving staff was dressed in traditional German clothing, music native to the country was playing, and the eating space was decorated and designed to look like a typical pub in a German village. One confusing thing that I noticed though was that in the restroom, there was not any music playing. Rather, the restaurant had famous quotes from American movies playing with their German translations. Though we ate outside, we definitely enjoyed the cream puff. It was pretty big, but it was much better than most cream puffs I have eaten. From this experience, I learned more about traditional German food and culture. I was given a visual of German design, fashion, and famous dishes. I would recommend this restaurant to a friend if he or she is looking to experience new food and atmosphere.
Next, we went to the Book Loft. This was by far my favorite place in German Village. This book store is designed like a cozy loft in a German village or town. It has many levels and rooms, making me feel like I was on an adventure to discover each portion of the store. Each room houses books of a specific genre. However, the shop takes each room one step further with music and decorations specific to each genre. I felt immersed in the nature section, as the room had plants and calming music to go along with the feeling one gets when in nature. Each room was also interesting because I found relevant books that I have not seen in traditional book stores. The Book Loft also had artwork, a large selection of calendars, and unique cards and other trinkets for sale. In addition, there was an adorable patio with benches and tables for reading outside of the store. It was very fun to explore what the Book Loft had to offer. The only aspect of the store that I did not like was that it was quite difficult to find a specific book that I was looking for. There was such a wide selection and the only labels were the ones that identified book genres; I found it hard to get a book I was looking for because I felt like I did not know where to look. I would recommend this store to a friend only if he or she is not claustrophobic and is not looking for anything in particular. I think this store is meant to be explored and enjoyed for what it is, rather than a place to run an errand.
Finally, Taylor and I went to the Pistacia cafe in German Village. This is a close second to the Book Loft. I love sweet foods, especially macaroons and coffee. I love artistic and aesthetically pleasing cafes even more. Pistacia catered to both of these preferences. Taylor and I walked in and were immediately impressed. The place was clean, the menu was easy to read, and all of the desserts and drinks were neatly placed and looked delicious. I also liked that there were food options for people with dietary restrictions, which were also clearly labeled. We got an assortment of macaroons and some iced coffee. The macaroons were excellently made, and there were so many different flavors to pick from. Although the place was packed, Taylor and I were still able to enjoy our experience. The glasses, plates, tables, food, and decorations all flowed to create a refreshing atmosphere. This was definitely a cafe that I will recommend to my friends and come back to. I also learned about a new place to show my family when they visit, as they like desserts and coffee as well.
In addition to exploring the culture of German Village for ourselves, Taylor and I watched an interesting documentary about the town to get more history about it. German Village was established when German immigrants built the town in hopes of earning money. Their motto was “neighbors helping neighbors,” and they were in an initially remote part of Columbus. Probably one of the most influential impacts German Village has had on Columbus and the country is the idea of kindergarten. Columbus residents were impressed by German school systems when they immigrated to the US. Americans soon adopted the kindergarten system, which is commonly known today. In addition to this, German immigrants established the brewery district in the city of Columbus, bringing new drafts of beer for the consumer and new jobs for the workforce. Even more, German Village introduced an array of Lutheran and Catholic churches to the area. In sports, famous left-handed pitcher, Eddie “Cannon Ball” Morris, played in German Village, and the area became famous for South Paw. More recently, German Village residents have impacted the Columbus community socially by shaping the gay community. The residents in the Oktoberfest celebration in the 1980s supported being openly gay, which made wave in the social view of the LGBT community in Columbus.
Career
Currently, I am in the career exploration stage of the career planning process. I believe I have a firm understanding of my personality as well as the field I want to pursue a career in. I have known for a while that I want to work in the physics field. This is a very broad field, as there are many different types of physics in which I can specialize. Additionally, the techniques and traits that physics majors own can be applied to many different fields such as business, environmental and natural resources, and engineering. I know that I am a thorough, creative, and analytical individual, and I know that I want to currently specialize in astrophysics. However, I have a deep appreciation for the environment and I would love to find a career that incorporates both the ideas of outer-space taught in astrophysics and the notion of sustainability that I have learned through my experiences with the environment on Earth. Still, however, I am open to many other specializations in physics, such as optics and plasma. My current task, now, is to discover some specific careers that fit my interests and personality.
I learned some interesting information about myself through the RIASEC workshop. After taking the O*Net test, I found my code to be IRA. This means I am the more investigative, moderately realistic, and slightly artistic when it comes to my career personality. As an investigative person, I am someone who likes to solve problems and acquire knowledge for the pure sake of knowledge. I agree with this given trait, as I often question everything and work on a problem until I know the answer. As for realistic, I am considered a “doer;” I like to take risks and perform physical work. I agree with this too just because I have always loved the outdoors and work with machinery and computer programs. Finally, for artistic, I am creative and intense with my emotions. I agree with artistic as well because I believe complex problem-solving warrants creative thinkers and dedicated workers. I think I have been able to do so well in math and physics because I become invested in a complex problem, and I am able to think creatively to work through it.
The website, O*Net, recommended careers in physics, environmental science, agriculture, and aerospace engineering based on my code. These career fields are definitely in line with my current plans. In fact, a career in astrophysics was suggested on the website. Unfortunately, however, these fields are vast and though they are reassuring of my current plans to go into physics and environmental science, I still do not feel as though I am any closer to knowing what specific job I can apply for that incorporates the two worlds of space and Earth. On a brighter side, these suggested careers are in line with my current academic plans. I know that in my undergraduate journey at Ohio State, I want to complete a double major in physics and astrophysics with a minor in Spanish, participate in research projects in both earth science and astrophysics, and acquire internship experience at a science center in either my hometown or Columbus. As for graduate school, I currently want to specialize in astrophysics at an institution in either Southwestern US or in Colorado. These suggested careers are a gateway for me to discover positions within them that encompass both the environment and astrophysics. Because of the possible careers presented to me, I know about some careers that I can delve into via online research and in-person conversations with my professors and people I know in those career fields. I know have an aid in pin-pointing specific positions that best-suit me that I can use throughout my academic journey.
Now, with the information I have gained from this workshop, my next steps are to look into current research projects, student organizations, and clubs on campus that interest me. With my involvement and activism at Ohio State, I can begin to consider specific issues in the world that are pressing to me and use the things I am involved in to make connections with individuals who have careers in those fields. At the same time, I want to have conversations with my professors about how they got to the career they are in now. In general, my goal is to simply make connections with people who are in the workforce right now through the things in which I get involved. For example, I am a member of the OSU Astronomical Society, so by talking to the graduate students and professors that run the organization, I can learn about careers in astrophysics and how I can pick out what aspect of astrophysics I want to study. I want to continually learn about career options, so that I can make an informed decision when it comes time to pick a job to apply for.
Artifacts
Mentor: Chelsea Cancino
Class Rank: Sophomore
Major: Environmental Science with specialization in Ecosystem Restoration
Questions:
- How did you decide on the major you have chosen?
Before coming to OSU, Chelsea was homeschooled for eight years. She had a flexible curriculum, which allowed her to pick courses of her interest that other students in public schools could not take. One of such courses, ecology, piqued her interest and kick-started her journey in environmental science. From there, Chelsea went on outdoor adventure trips with various organizations to feed her passion for the sciences. On one of her trips- a 75-mile canoeing trek- Chelsea discussed possible careers in environmental science with a mentor. Specifically, they talked about ecosystem restoration. After Chelsea learned that she could transform her love for ecology into a career from this experience, Chelsea was inspired to enter OSU as an Environmental Science major with a specialization in Ecosystem Restoration.
- What is your backup plan for your career in case your first plan does not work out for some reason?
Chelsea’s current plan for her career is to work with a restoration consulting agency, in either the public or private sector. She does not know whether she wants to work with a private agency or with the public, government agency, since she enjoys aspects of both sectors. In order to decide, however, she aims to gain experience in both sectors in her undergraduate years. Currently, Chelsea is an intern with the Climate Reality Project. This organization is helping her gain knowledge in the field of ecosystem restoration as a whole, but she wants to intern with an agency in the private sector. To do this, she aims to stay specific with her major and obtain a minor in Earth Sciences. She believes that this will improve her chances of becoming an intern with an environmental consulting agency, which is in the private sector. With her internships and degree once she graduates, Chelsea’s plan is to get a job with either a private environmental consulting agency or the EPA, the governmental agency, as a restoration ecologist. If this does not work, however, Chelsea’s back-up plan is to either work as a geologist or an aquatics director for the aquatics program she currently works for in Cincinnati.
- What advice do you wish someone gave you your freshman year?
When she first started at OSU, Chelsea’s transition from home to college was generally smooth. For her, the first year meant a fresh start since she was very involved in her high school and she no longer had a club attached to her name. Unfortunately though, Chelsea still faced a few issues during her first year. She struggled primarily with time management; she signed herself up for too many clubs and organizations and quickly found that she could only involve herself in the things that mattered to her, not just the things she liked. So, she cut back on her involvement so that she did not spread herself too thin. However, Chelsea was still a very busy person on a tight time schedule. It was easy for her to become stressed. This year, after making some adaptations to her routine to reduce stress, Chelsea wishes that someone would have told her to be physically active as much as possible, get enough sleep, and to caffeinate correctly if she could not get enough sleep. Physical activity helps Chelsea release her stresses from the day and helps her maintain focus for the homework, internships, and clubs she is involved in. Getting enough sleep gives her enough energy for the day, but if Chelsea cannot get enough sleep, she has learned when to drink caffeine so she still has the energy she needs. For example, she drinks high-caffeinated tea and only drinks it in the mornings. This way, she is not brought down by a sugar crash from coffee and she is not up all night with an excess of energy.
- What type of volunteer hours, internships, etc. have you done since you have been a student at OSU? How did you first get involved with them?
Chelsea is currently involved with the Climate Reality Project, in which she is a coordinator. She learned about this project through a guest speaker in one of her classes during her first year. It interested her because the organization seemed to actually make a difference in environmental policy. She is also a member of SPDA, which is a board of recreation activities. She currently takes trips to other universities to see how they run their recreation programs and facilities in order to improve those of OSU. She got involved with this when she was volunteering for them during her first year. Next, Chelsea is the vice president of the Morrill Tower Activities Board. She plans on events that happen at OSU, most of them being large-scale like West Fest. She got involved with this because she likes to learn about the big events that happened on campus and be a part of them. Finally, Chelsea is an ENR Scholars mentor. She wanted to become a mentor because she wanted to positively impact the freshman and help them make the most of both their college and ENR Scholars experiences.
- What advice do you have for making the most of the ENR program?
To make the most of ENR, Chelsea urges those involved to take advantage of all of the events that the program offers. She believes that ENR gives students opportunities that they would not normally have otherwise. ENR is also very affordable and it allows students to get experience with camping and the outdoors that they may not have gotten at home. With the events the program offers, Chelsea has made some of her closest friends at OSU and forced herself to go outside of her comfort zone to discover her sense of adventure that she now applies to her academics. She advises that students in the program also simply start conversations with others because they are all living together and they have similar interests, as they are all in the same program. To Chelsea, by taking advantage of the flexibility of the program, the ease of social interaction, and the events that are offered, she has made the most of ENR and guarantees other students will make the most of the program if they do the same.
Chelsea’s experiences and advice helped and inspired me to think about my first year from a different perspective. I found that she and I share similar personality traits, though we have different interests. It was helpful to see how she is getting involved in the things that feed her passion, as I can relate to her dedication and busy lifestyle. From our conversation, I learned that a small amount of self-organization can go a long way. Instead of being involved in 15 clubs that she likes, Chelsea is only dedicated to the clubs, internships, and programs that pertain to what matters to her. This kind of thinking made me reconsider my involvement and OSU now and if I believe I really have a passion for what I am doing now and if I am truly going to take away valuable experience to apply to my life in the future. I now know that, for the future, it is sufficient to have one internship and a leadership role in a couple clubs if I am acquiring the knowledge I need to be successful. Also, with Chelsea’s day-to-day organization, I learned that small actions, like exercising and drinking tea instead of coffee, can truly make a difference in my stress level. Finally, our conversation taught me how simple it is to make the most of the ENR program, as everything I need is right in front of me; all I need is to step out of my comfort zone. Thanks to Chelsea, I can begin to make sure I do just that each day- as it has worked for her to this point in her life.
About Me
Hello! I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and I am a physics and astrophysics double major in the Environmental and Natural Resources Scholars program. My two main interests since my childhood have been space exploration and outdoor adventure. I have always enjoyed looking at the stars and reading about space and exploring the forests and wildlife in the United States. My favorite outdoor activities are skiing, kayaking, hiking, and bike riding. This year at OSU, I want to try new clubs and join some student associations that I would not normally try so that I can break out of my comfort zone and expand my horizons. I am love to learn in a hands-on environment, so I believe that involvement with clubs on campus will help me retain the information I learn, since I am not learning in a classroom. I hope I can make new friends as well. I would also like to get more involved in service as it will help me know how to make a lasting impact in my community and others in the world. Academically, I hope to determine the career path I want to take as well as the type of undergraduate research in which I want to involve myself. Currently, I am interested in doing astrophysics research as a career, but I am open to other career options. As for Honors and Scholars, I hope to learn new skills that will help me learn more about my environment and allow me to grow more as a leader. Specifically, I want to learn about the environmental issues affecting the Columbus area through service activities and camping trips. I have not learned much about the topic of sustainability in the environment, so I think that becoming aware of environmental issues will help me become more sustainable as a person and improve the sustainability of everyday procedures and places on Earth. Overall, my ultimate goal for my OSU career to take the experiences and knowledge I gain from ENR as well as the other clubs I get involved in and apply them to my career, no matter what I end up doing.