Tell Us about Yourself
What AEOP program(s) did you participate in?
eCYBERMISSION Mentor
What sage advice would you give to a student just beginning to consider a career in science?
The advice I would give a student that is just beginning to consider a career in STEM, or any job really, would be for them to first find their passion and then to find a career that allows them to follow that passion. If they do that, then it will seem like they never have to really work a day in their life.
What got you interested in this field?
I have always been a tinkerer and I have always wanted to be a teacher. Engineering and Technology education has allowed me to do both at the same time. As a teacher, I get to work with some great kids and at the same time; watch them find their inner engineer.
What is the most beneficial/inspiring part of the mentor relationship?
The most important part of the mentor relationship is making connections with students in a non-evaluative setting. As a mentor, I work closely with students as they work on a project that they are passionate about because they want to and not because they have to. As a result, I really get to know the students on a more personal basis.
What is most rewarding about your job?
The most rewarding part about my job is working with such great students and watching their confidence grow.
How have you benefited from participating in your AEOP Program?
The biggest benefit I have received from participating as a mentor in eCYBERMISSION has been watching my students get excited about what they are learning and how they can apply that knowledge to real life situations. When I hear them talk about the research they are doing and what they are working on and the problem they are hoping to solve, that is what make it all worth it.
Considering the current sciences, where do you see the future direction headed?
Science in the future will be so different from science today. I feel that we are learning so much so quickly in regards to understanding the world around us that we will need to look at things in a completely new way in order to even begin to understand our world.
