University of Missouri - Kansas City, Psychology. Undergraduate Research Assistant at PROSPECT.
1. How long have you been at your institution?
I have attended UMKC for two years and graduate this December. I transferred from Baruch College in New York City.
2. Who is your favorite STEM character in a book, movie or TV show?
My favorite STEM character is Cosima Niehaus from the Canadian TV show Orphan Black.
3. What inspired you to get involved in S-STEM work?
I got involved with S-STEM work due to my working relationship with Dr. Jacob Marszalek in an internship class I took earlier this year for credit. During that time he introduced me to the topic and I helped a bit on the project while tackling another project more fully. When my schedule cleared he asked if I would be interested in continuing this project and I gladly accepted! I believe this research is vitally important and will undoubtedly benefit future STEM students.
4. What skills or knowledge are you learning throughout the program that you find most useful in your career?
Although I am still digging into the work, the main takeaway skill I am learning is how to collaborate on such a large project with many moving pieces. I have my sights on a Doctoral program and this work is incredibly beneficial because it allows me to witness and participate in a larger magnitude of research than anything I have done prior.
5. What advice would you give to students who transfer from 2YC to 4YC?
I would advise students transferring from 2YC to 4YC to make use whatever networking and mentorship opportunities the university has in place. Having at least one guide to inspire, motivate, and lead is a tremendous asset to have in one’s pocket.
6. Is your involvement in S-STEM work worthwhile to your graduate school journey? If so, please elaborate.
Although I am a Psychology major, I do believe my involvement in S-STEM is worthwhile to my graduate school journey. On a basic level, any research experience is beneficial to a PhD program because many of the skills in one field transfer to others. However, I also believe the benefits stretch further than just logistics of learning how to conduct a study. I also am learning and will continue to learn about the struggles students face in STEM and how to address these issues in effective ways. As a future clinician, I can take the knowledge gained from this work and provide guidance to future clients and, if I continue in academia long-term, my students.
7. What skill do you think is most valuable for students considering a STEM career?
I believe one of the most valuable skills a student in STEM should cultivate is that of collaboration. To collaborate well, one must possess many people-centered skills like communication, active listening, teamwork, and teachability. These skills can help take an otherwise good student to the finish line by ensuring he/she/they have the right support in place to seize all opportunities for success.
8. Tell us about the most rewarding experience that you have had during your STEM career.
Admittedly, this is a tough question. Some people do not consider Psychology to be a STEM major and, while many do, the distinction between the hard and soft sciences does have nuance to the debate. Regardless, my career thus far has offered many rewarding experiences. My favorite, thus far, has been participation in a variety of research activities of various subdisciplines. The multifaceted approach to crafting my skill as a student-researcher has provided me with a depth of confidence in how I want to approach my career moving forward. I have also learned a new type of resiliency and self-efficacy that motivates me to keep growing as a future Psychologist.