Tell Us about Yourself
I am currently a senior at Pine Lake Preparatory in North Carolina and intend to attend university.
What AEOP program(s) did you participate in?
High School Internship at UNC Charlotte – 2021
Words of Advice?
My words of advice for future AEOP participants are to communicate with their peers and mentors and to ask questions. Creating connections and asking those eager questions makes the learning process much easier and enjoyable; allow yourself to be curious and share that with others!
Best Things about the Program?
Participating in this program encouraged me to continue my interest in the STEM field, and it also made me aware of the need for communications careers within STEM education, which inspired my career interests. The best things about the program I participated in were the people. During our symposium, I met some of the other students working under the same program, and we became friends on Instagram and had so many fun talks; we realized how many shared interests we had.
How Participating in AEOP Inspired You to Advance in the STEM Field?
I took part in an internship during the 2023 COVID-19 lockdown. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the mentors and staff of UNC-Charlotte’s STEM Pre-College Program made the experience incredibly valuable. During this period, I studied biomedical applications of light-emitting diodes, conducted research, drafted a professional paper and delivered a presentation to active professionals in the field. This experience prepared me academically, professionally and socially, and I am forever thankful for this experience. I used the academic research methods and public speaking skills I learned throughout my high school year.
Who is your favorite STEM role model? Why?
Jane Goodall! When I was in third grade, I chose to do a project on her because of her dedication and connections to nature.
