I can’t say that college has changed me, my thoughts, my beliefs or actions, though has merely made me more aware of what I truly desire; what I aspire to do with my career, family, values and personal life. I have become cognizant of how others perceive me and how I perceive myself. I am working towards completing my bachelors degree in Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University, and have reflected on how fast the time has truly gone. Only a few years ago was I entering the vast unknown of this massive university, though now I wish I could go back and relive the experience. The growing pangs have impacted me positively, providing me with the necessary tools in order to succeed once I leave this sacred institution. Whereas once I wanted to explore and try every new experience imaginable, never satisfied with my life, I am content now with the simpler things in life. I am a laid back individual, which I don’t believe has ever changed, and know when to give my all to the situations which require my best. I often find myself giving my best to situations where it is not needed, for I am only satisfied when I give my best effort. I am fascinated by science and engineering previously impossible ideas, and thus have dedicated my future career towards such a field. I surround myself with a diverse friend group, for it is diverse ideas which drive the world further and inspire the most innovative thoughts. I am most comfortable when I am with the ones I love, and tend to spend as much time as possible with my family. When given the time, I also jump at the opportunity to spend a day on the lake fishing, at the ballpark, golfing or simply sitting around a fire with friends, for it is the smallest memories which equate to the most memorable, and the ones which make me truly happy.
Year In Review
Upon review of the past year, I have met many wonderful individuals, been involved in a fantastic service organization, and grown mentally and as a leader. Through participating in the second year of the International Affairs Scholars program, I have developed a greater world view, been exposed to different cultures and ways of living, and interacted with differing ideas and viewpoints on foreign affairs and world events. By volunteering at Buckeye Food Alliance for the entire Sophomore year of my college undergrad, I have further solidified my efforts to combat food insecurity amongst greater Columbus residents, including Ohio State undergraduates. I have been accepted into the Biomedical Engineering Major as an undergraduate student, and have begun to look into possible career specializations in the field; whether it be tissue engineering, cell growth, prosthetic development, biomechanical applications, or biotransport refinement. I have attended many intellectual events on United States foreign policy, government structure, and political inter-workings. Attending Biomedical Engineering seminars on topics ranging from tumor growth to prosthetic hand technology, I am fully immersing myself in my major, while maintaining and International focus outside of my course work.
Career
Having worked at The Marketplace on Neil for the Spring 2017 semester, and intending to work at the location through graduation in Spring 2019, I am gathering valuable skills that I can apply to my future career. Critical problem solving for a specific request made by a customer will be vital in my career as a Biomedical Engineer, as I will often have to modify a device design or manufacturing procedure in order to satisfy a customer request. Valuable time spent building teamwork skills is also transferable, as I will be working with fellow engineers with various backgrounds and disciplines, and will have to gather different opinions and skill sets to best utilize each individual for the given project. Time efficiency is another transferable skill that I am building up, as I will be working under loose deadlines and specific quota numbers set forth by superiors.
Artifacts
One of my prized artifacts from the Spring 2017 semester is the official Columbus Blue Jackets playoffs rally towel. Having been a Jackets fan for most of my life, and steadily attending a handful of games within the past 2 seasons when not watching on TV, the Blue Jackets embody the heart and soul of Columbus, Ohio. The gracious, belligerent, and die-hard people which constitute the fan base speaks a testament of the Midwestern culture – we are stubborn and gritty, loyal and honest, unwavering and proud.
Artifacts
Spending both semesters of my Sophomore year volunteering at Buckeye Food Alliance, per the second year Capstone project, has been memorable and presented ample opportunities for me to grow as a socially/internationally aware person. Buckeye Food Alliance is a food pantry serving Ohio State undergraduate students, 15% of which identify as food insecure. I helped reallocate food items, walked students through the food pantry, and participated in miscellaneous projects, such as installing industrial refrigerators so that the pantry can offer fruits and vegetables. As required by the capstone project, I attended and presented my project at the First Annual International Affairs Scholars Second Year Symposium. Attached below is my poster, which outlines more in depth my activities, motivations for choosing the project, and the international significance of food insecurity.
G.O.A.L.S.
In the area of global awareness, attending various International events helped broaden my understanding of United States foreign policy, Chinese foreign policy, GDP inequality, different cultures and laws, etc. Through my participation in the IA program, I have gained interdisciplinary experience through engaging with peoples of other cultures, races, and nationalities. I have gained a greater worldview outside of a Western perspective, and have stayed well informed on happenings and events.
In the area of academic enrichment, I am enrolled in a Biomedical Engineering Fall 2017 course which focuses on Tissue and Cellular Engineering. The class features a lab component which will build off of lecture knowledge to successfully culture human cells, while requiring meticulous attention to detail the entire semester.
In the area of service engagement, the conclusion of the second year capstone project transpired shortly before the end of the Spring 2017 semester. I volunteered at Buckeye Food Alliance, a student-run food pantry for Ohio State Undergraduates in the basement of Lincoln Tower. Being engaged in community service my entire Sophomore year was unbelievably rewarding, time consuming, and proposed unique challenges. Focusing on food insecurity amongst undergraduates was also a unique service area, as the food pantry arose due to the Ohio State Center for Student Life’s 2014 survey finding that 15% of OSU undergraduates identify as food insecure.
In the area of leadership development, working at The Marketplace on Neil has developed valuable customer service skills, problem solving abilities, planning techniques, and culinary skills. I have had to assume a leadership position numerous times, either while teaching another coworker how to properly follow health code, cut peppers, or prepare a food item, or addressing a customer who is curious about ingredients in a recipe, preparation techniques, or Marketplace procedure.
Artifacts
For BIOLOGY 1113, my lab group and I created a poster which focused on the bacteria anthrax. The poster project was a semester long effort between the four total members of the group, and required extensive accommodations in order to meet and complete the project. Having an interest in biology, and going into a career centered around the medical field, I was keenly interested in how any bacteria functions within the body and works to disable host cells. The poster presents an anthrax infection from the mode of infection, the symptoms it creates, and how the anthrax bacteria works on the molecular scale to disable the hosts immune system, hijack the macrophages, and travel throughout the body through the blood stream to infect more host cells.
G.O.A.L.S.
I first became interested in International Affairs in High School, as I had grown up with a domestic mindset and small worldview of everyday life. The idea of far away places, filled with people who had lived far different lives than mine, think differently, eat differently, and practice different cultural habits filled my imagination, consuming my mind and drawing me towards IA Scholars. As an undergraduate student in the College of Biomedical Engineering, I plan on taking my degree and applying it to the enlarged world view that IA Scholars has generated within me, servicing many different walks of life and engineering fixes a barrage of medical ailments that plague populations.
Being an International Affairs Scholar has altered my immediate response to occurrences, shifting my view to not only how it impacts local communities, but also foreign countries and foreign citizens. Having a global worldview, and not just a domestic worldview, allows the idea that many different people, from many different countries, with drastically different lives and thinking patterns, can come together to solve problems and benefit the world. As a Biomedical Engineer, I hope to be able to unite with citizens from other countries to attempt to engineer and solve problems that ravage specific populations, in which doing so may not benefit many of those who I have grown up with. I hope to do the greatest good for the greatest amount, and thinking globally, as an IA Scholar, will prove to be invaluable in my mission.
Artifacts
My first in-person game against TTUN was unforgettable, and will end up being one of the most memorable days of my undergraduate at Ohio State. From waking up early to go to College Gameday, to spending the day with friends, to rushing the field and getting lost amongst tens-of-thousands on the field, just reminiscing on The Game brings back the overwhelming raw emotion and pride. While I lost my voice for the entire following week, and also became sick from the long day outside and inside the ‘Shoe, I only wish I had screamed louder and had stayed longer. Further entrenching myself in the Ohio State community, and feeling more apart of the overwhelming community, The Game allowed me to feel at home, to realize that Ohio State is my home, and to recognize that I truly belong at this great university.
Career
Having recently joined Student Dining Services for the Spring semester, I intend to further develop my team working abilities and communication skills. The relationships established between coworkers and sense of community has always been the highlight of each of my previous employments, though none have been intended to be permanent homes for my career. Now a Sophomore in the College of Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University, my career plans are of course higher and more lofty than student employment in Dining Services. However, the career tools that I will be receiving through Dining Services will be invaluable towards my future employment with my degree received through Ohio State.