Summary
Post-graduation plans
After I graduate, I plan on researching the effects of wildfire smoke as a lab technician at Desert Research Institute. Next Fall, I plan on applying for a Ph.D. in geochemistry.
The most important piece of advice for an incoming college freshman
My advice to incoming freshmen is to actively learn what you are passionate about. Talk to professors, apply for internships/jobs, and develop connections with quality mentors. Since we have been in school our whole lives, it can be hard to imagine all the possible degree-related careers out there. I strongly recommend talking to professors and internship supervisors about their life stories/experiences to learn what they have considered doing or have done with their degrees. Internships/jobs are also great for developing a general idea of what you like/dislike to do early on.
In 15 years...
In 15 years I hope that I will be using my chemistry knowledge to better understand and protect the natural world. It is awful to watch the effects of pollution and climate change unfold before me, so I would like to do my part to remediate the issues at hand. I hope that I will be working together with other scientists, educators, science communicators, and policymakers to motivate change.