Autumn 2019 started out with a change in career goals for me. I switched over to the Fisher College of Business for a marketing specialization and explored an entirely different atmosphere to what I was used to in the STEM world. After spending the first couple months adjusting to the big change and planning out my schedule for the next two years, I knew I also had to push my resume to mirror someone in a business field. So, I started planning for my future experiences. I had a goal of securing an internship for the upcoming summer, and joining business related clubs to introduce myself to my classmates. I ended up interviewing for an on-campus job in October which even helped my cause as it was for a position in Telecounseling. Every shift I practiced my speaking skills as I talked to prospective students and informed them about life on campus and what was offered in their desired program. I was very nervous during the first couple of weeks because it was a little out of my comfort zone, however I was also excited because I knew how much I could grow from it, and I really enjoyed my coworkers. I also got to enjoy my last semester working on the STEM LC. After multiple events and meetings, our group finished 2019 with a list of achievements and memories, and welcomed in the new class of scholars to add to our family. Academically, I had a great start to my enrollment into the business school as I received Deans List for the semester and was accepted into the Marketing specialization in late October.

During that first semester, when I wasn’t changing my major or joining new clubs, I was also having an amazing sophomore year. The semester started off working with the OWL program again, but this time as an OWL-C. We  had a successful move-in day, and I met so many amazing people. Weekends were filled with another great football season and trips downtown with friends. After trips to the Ohio Theatre, I added Dear Evan Hansen, Les Misearbles, and Anastasia to my Broadway show list, and even took a trip down to Playhouse Square in Cleveland during winter break for Mean Girls. I ended the year signing off on the big decision to rent a house with my friends for next semester, and counted down the last seconds before the next decade.

As 2020 began, I crossed off my goal for the summer. I accepted a position with Cedar Point as a Marketing Guest Services and Special Events Intern for their 150th season. Thanks to my involvement with the STEP program, I planned to use this internship as my transformational experience and worked with my STEP advisor to plan out my proposal. I continued to develop my skillset for the corporate environment by applying to different leadership experiences and events hosted by companies I was passionate about. I was accepted to be a part of the Kohl’s Sophomore Career Expo in Wisconsin during April before the semester took a turn.

My 20th Birthday approached before Spring Break, along with a heavy midterm season. After finishing my last hours studying in Thompson, and heading home for break, I never would’ve thought that it would be the last time seeing that library for the semester. If these last few weeks of my sophomore year have taught me anything, it’s appreciation. Appreciation for government officials taking precautions quickly, appreciation for professors who understand the mental toll of this unprecedented time, and appreciation for healthcare workers as they work nonstop to help those affected. But mostly I’ve appreciated this time with family, as my mother didn’t believe she would get time with both of her daughters home after my sister graduated this spring. Although I am thankful for the smooth transition I experienced during moving back home for the semester, I felt the true weight of this situation after my grandmother passed away and our large family couldn’t attend the funeral due to social distancing guidelines.

Eventually my sophomore year ended, and I submitted my last final. Looking back at my year so far and seeing the changes and the growth, I can say despite the challenges I’m proud of what I have achieved. I’m hopeful of the inevitable changes to come during these next months and know that we will get through this.