My higher education journey first began at Frederick Community College (FCC), where I initially obtained an Associate of Science in Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). I then went back to FCC with the intention of taking one class, forensic science, and from there, I fell in love with biotechnology. I enrolled in FCC’s biotechnology program and worked hard to receive my second A.A.S.degree. My advisor, Dr. Judy Staveley, later informed me of the Translational Life Science Technology (TLST) program offered by UMBC at USG. Wanting to continue my education with a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, I enrolled in the TLST program.
I selected UMBC’s TLST program at USG because of how broad the applications of translational science, or biotechnology can reach. This field can be applied in forensic science, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and more! The diverse applications of translational science provided me with greater flexibility in planning my career path. I really enjoyed the biotechnology program at FCC and wanted to continue my studies in this ever-growing and innovative field.
Since enrolling in the program, I have worked as a lab teaching assistant for the UMBC Biotech Boot Camp program at USG. In the boot camp, we teach basic lab and cell culture techniques to unemployed graduates in hopes of helping them obtain entry-level jobs in the industry. Working in the program has been a highly gratifying experience, and I am honored to have been a part of it.
I am on track to graduate in the summer of 2022 and I’m really looking forward to joining the workforce in my field. I have been fascinated with forensic science since high school, and so following graduation, I would like to work in forensic lab analytics or crime scene investigation (CSI). I am drawn to these areas of the field because of the critical thinking it requires — no two cases are alike and I enjoy the challenge.
My alternative career plan is to work in either R&D within the pharma industry or in cell culture. Regardless of where I end up though, I plan to work in a lab because that is where I truly shine. In the future, I would also like to pursue a master’s degree in forensic science, and possibly obtain a Ph.D