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Hi, I’m Andrew Parra and welcome to my e-portfolio. I’m currently a second year Sociology major, former Molecular Genetics major here at The Ohio State University. Within, you will find more about me in the about me section, as well as much more such as my accomplishments and recent projects in the other tabs. Please look around my e-portfolio and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you very much.

Year in Review

Having finished my second year at this point, I feel confident that I have found what I want to pursue in sociology and I am forever grateful for the help and support that I have received from my fellow scholars in making this transition. Having spent a full year taking classes in the subject, I truly feel like I am where I belong, and having a 4.0 gpa on the year definitely reflected the passion that I feel about the subject matter. I was able to discover that my particular interests are focused on the sociology of childhood and young adulthood. By volunteering at Star House, I had the chance to see some of the more direct impacts that sociology and sociological research can have. Star House was only able to receive funding and come into being because of research, and it was rewarding to me to be able to work with some of the young adults at the drop-in center and to truly feel like I was helping and to see the profound impact that the center had on their lives. It helped to affirm and strengthen my love of both my field and my interest in research. I’m excited to be going to Poland this summer for a study abroad and to be conducting research with survey data. It feels like I’m definitely headed in the right direction after a somewhat chaotic first year.

G.O.A.L.S.

As a member of the scholars community, I try to always remained cognizant and focused on the five foci of the Honors and Scholars G.O.A.L.S.

Entering my second year, I am really excited to be participating in the STEP program. I am hoping to be able to use the funding to help me with a study abroad trip. As someone interested in global affairs and social issues, I have been extremely fascinated in how the economic recession of 2008 affected Mexico and Latin America and has partially led to the influx of immigrants that we see in the country today, and how it has become such a hot button topic in the media. I would love to participate in either a study abroad program or a service learning program to see firsthand the situation, to learn more about Latin American countries and cultures, and to understand why we have seen such a large influx of immigrants from these nations, including the large wave of child immigrants from a few years ago. This is an area that hits particularly close to home for me given my Cuban heritage.

As someone who has always been passionate in research, I am eagerly awaiting to start my own line of original inquiry through research. I greatly enjoy being at such a strong research institution, and now that I have acclimated to my new major, I am excited to have the opportunity to participate in research.

Being at the University, particularly in an election year, has helped me to enrich my understanding of so many issues facing our state, our country, and the world. I have been able to participate in rallies for both democrats and republicans and have heard their arguments and opinions on how to address these social issues, those being my primary interest. By trying to expand my understanding and by allowing my point of view to be challenged, it has allowed me to greatly further my interest and has enriched my understanding of the issues.

One way that I have been able to address some of these social issues personally has been through community service. Through the Newman center, I have been able to participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities including food banks and clothing drives, participating at soup kitchens, and helping to clean up areas in the community. In addition, I have been able to volunteer at local animal shelters, and have seen firsthand how difficult it is for some people to have to give away their pets due to their personal circumstances. As I continue with my major, I hope to increase the amount of service that I participate in, to truly understand the impact of the social issues that I learn about in the classroom

 

Career

My main goal for my future is to have a career in research. My experiences in my courses on research showed me some of the amazing things that are being done on campus, and I am excited to know that the university holds so many amazing opportunities in the field of research and I hope to get involved in research as quickly as possible. Knowing that I will soon be conducting research with survey data during my upcoming study abroad in Poland has me very excited and I hope to take what I learn there and to begin laying the groundwork for creating an honors thesis.

Resume

Artifacts

Greenhouse a Greenhouse bThese are pictures of the Green house here at Ohio State.  Growing up, I often worked in my parent’s garden, and grew an immense appreciation for the process of raising a life form and the dedication that it takes. For a long time, I was interested in crop genetics before switching over to the sociology major. There are a lot of comparisons to be made between growing plants and research. It takes a lot of time for your research to grow and cultivate, and it takes a lot of work and time spent hands on. Being in the greenhouse reminds me why I love gardening, and it reminds me why I love research. But more importantly, the greenhouse is my artifact because it reminds me of home. I enjoy going to the greenhouse because it reminds me of those childhood moments, and it gives me a sense of peace. In addition, it’s amazing to see some of the rare plants that the university has cultivated. In many ways, this spot has become one of my most treasured places on campus

About Me

Facial

Hello, I’m Andrew Parra. I’m a second year Sociology Major, former molecular genetics major here at The Ohio State University. Currently I am a member of the Ohio State Biological Science Scholars, as well as a member of the molecular genetics club. I am extremely interested in research and working to discover new things.

Aside from academics, I’m looking forward to getting involved in the numerous service groups that Ohio State has to offer, in particular Buckeyethon. At my high school I enjoyed service work and that is something that I hope to continue during my time here at Ohio State. I am deeply invested in numerous social justice issues, such as addressing homelessness, food insecurity, civil rights issues, and poverty at large. This year, I had a chance to spend time doing volunteer work at the Star House, and it was very rewarding to feel like I was having a direct impact on some of the young adults who I was able to help and interact with

As you browse through the rest of my portfolio, you will gain a better understanding of my goals and interests, as well as learning about my academic and extracurricular experiences and how they have shaped into an academic, passionate, and overall holistic individual.