Being a member of the STEM Exploration and Engagement scholars program gives me sense of security and reassurance that I am on the right academic path. Being with like minded individuals is a reminder of  how much I love the field of science and being involved in it at the highest level that I can. With the requirements and expectations of the scholars program I am constantly being academically, socially, and intrapersonally stimulated to foster valuable skills and experiences. Nonetheless, a requirement that I believe aided in personal growth for my first academic year was completing the interview paper.

To an extroverted person talking to complete strangers may seem like an easy task but for an introverted girl who comes from a small hometown this was a very dreadful task. For some reason I initially didn’t believe that I would be capable of  getting an upperclassman, graduate student, and professor all to agree to an interview with some freshman that they’ve never seen before. Nonetheless, as I set deadlines for myself to ask for each interview I realized that the worst scenario would them saying “no”.

Although, this wasn’t first interview paper it was the first one that I did with strangers and the experience of fearless exposing oneself to rejection is vital because it is inevitable especially in the field that of science that I am looking to pursue. Overall, gathering research about my interview topic, asking for the interviews, and conducting the interviews allowed me to grow personally and as a student. Personally I believe that this experience allowed me to be less apprehensive about stepping outside of my comfort zone, have a bit more confidence in myself, and it taught me that hearing “no” is okay and simply a part of life. Academically, I have during my high school career done plenty of topic research for countless papers. However, knowing that I can handle researching and complying information to use in a written form in college gave me academic confidence as well.

In conclusion, writing this interview paper helped me grow personally and academically and I am thankful for the experience because it was simply the beginning of many personal and academic challenges to come. However, with this experience I can be prepared for whatever is thrown my way as well as feel comfortable enough at the university level ask for help.

Photo provided by: https://sites.google.com/a/methuen.k12.ma.us/marsh-tech-lab/science-interactives

Me and my co-workers, whose images have been blurred out of respect.

My very first job was at a local church summer camp. I was just fifteen years old and was partially responsible for about thirty kids ranging from the ages of five to seventeen years old. Nonetheless, I was excited to make my own money and be able to contribute something to my community. While at the summer camp I was able to learn a lot about myself including my career aspirations, what I expect of an employer, what an employer may expect of me, and what I like and dislike in regard to employment.

Initially, I was satisfied with the job as I am able to follow routines and adhere to authority pretty well. However, what I was not expecting at a summer camp was to be thrown outside of my comfort zone as I was use to being around children. This was a different type of responsibility that was requiring more than me just play with the children in game, but creating, perfecting, and presenting the game. During this process I realized that I can often overthink things and can be a bit of a perfectionist. Nonetheless, with the help of my co-workers it all worked out fine and I am glad for the experience.

Unfortunately, my experience was off put by the unprofessional interactions and experience I had with my supervisor and the church’s pastor. As an employee of course you want to be respectful and helpful but when you are being taken advantage of and treated unprofessionally I feel that it is important to advocate for yourself. Likewise, I am proud that I was able to do so at fifteen years old and respect myself enough to not be subjected to such a work environment.

However, what I grew to enjoy about the camp was silent reading hour we would have everyday. While assisting the children while they read I quickly realized that many of them could not read very well, even though they were in the third or fourth grade. Such a reality was disheartening and that is what gave me motivation to give my all to those children and the job.Nonetheless, I realized during a field trip we had taken to the skating rink that I more than likely would not be interested in a career in early childhood. Although I enjoyed momentarily interacting with children and positively influencing them I don’t believe that I would want to have a career in that field.

Overall, I cherish that experience not only because it was my first employment experience but because I was able to learn so much from it and handle it professionally even though those around me (even the adults) to not carry themselves as such. Nonetheless, what I enjoyed most about that job was my ability influence, support, and improve the lives of those children.

Some the children putting chalk on the pastor’s face on a fun summer day

The young adult group and I in front of the Samaritan’s Purse shower units upon arrive to Texas.

   I am someone who enjoys volunteering in every way, shape, and form. In the past I have helped with soup kitchens, Salvation Army bell ringing, fundraising for a local art gallery , and even a few mission trips. Being a part of Dueber United Methodist church I was exposed to various volunteering opportunities including going to West Virginia to paint various homes, making bandages for a developing hospital in Sierra Leone, and helping with Dueber’s annual back-to-school give away. This year around April I began to migrate from our church’s youth group to our young adult group since I would be graduating the following month.

   I began to hang out with the members of the group and soon enough we began discussing what type of mission trip we could go on this year. Our group’s coordinator Karen got in contact with an organization called Samaritan’s Purse, who are involved with the hurricane Harvey clean up across the nation. We decided that we would be a perfect team to go to Texas and help the resident’s in Rockport.

   Soon enough we were packing for the trip by June 2018, and we left a week before my birthday (June 30th). We drove for twelve-four hours in a medium size truck and made a few stops in Kentucky, Arkansas, and then stopped for the night in Memphis, Tennessee. The following morning we woke up at 4:00AM to travel down to Rockport, Texas, which took twelve more hours. Once we arrived we met with our team coordinators, the other volunteers, and went to our rooms to unpack before dinner.

   On our first day I was very excited and ready to lend a helping hand. A few hours went by and I began to be attacked by what seemed like hundreds of mosquitoes but I muscled through and continued to pull off the wooden board from the home I was working on. The first day in the heat of about 92 degrees Fahrenheit we were able to tear down half of the boarding on the house and take down most of the damaged walls inside of the home. As the days went on I was moved back and forth from two different houses because there was a shortage of volunteers. Initialing I was apprehensive but soon realized that all that was expected of me was to be willing to help not to know exactly what I was doing all the time. While working on these homes I learned how to mix cement, pour cement, lay boards for a deck, install windows, and even build walls.

   We were only in Texas for a week and during that week I would find myself constantly reflecting upon my decision to leave the comfortable of my home, go miles away from my family, and room with a bunch of strangers to do very strenuous work. There were various answers to that question including, experience, my dedication to volunteerism, gaining teamwork skills, gaining leadership skills, and so much more. This trip also allowed me to realize certain activities that I do and do not enjoy doing. Working on these homes made me realize that a career that demands being outside all the time such as construction would not be best for me. However, I realized that I do enjoy building things, installing things, painting , and putting things together. Overall, I recommend that everyone go on a mission trip at least once, even if you aren’t interested in volunteering because it gives you the opportunity to broaden your skill set and gives you experience in various areas such as communication, travel, and much more.

The young adult group and I working to remove the wooden board from the first home we worked on.