“The Odyssey Scholarship has supported my academic exploration and allowed me to discover my interests at my own pace.”
How did your summer experiences clarify your career or academic interests?
Working at a non-profit organization in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago was crucial in helping to narrow my potential career interests. The Metcalf internship gave me the opportunity to stay in Chicago for the summer and explore jobs beyond my hometown. Through the Summer Links program run by the University Community Service Center, I was able to identify a specific area of social justice in which I was passionate—direct community education work, a field that I had previously only considered in passing. With this experience, I was able to gauge my interest in both social psychology and public policy, working in an area where the two intersected to form an engaging and well-rounded experience. I was also able to begin working with the organization throughout the school year, creating a work study opportunity for an off-campus work experience.
What professor or course has had the greatest impact on you, and why? How are you identifying your academic passions?
The course that has had the greatest impact so far has been my first psychology class, Cognitive Psychology. I hadn't taken a psychology class since my junior year of high school, but participating in this class in the spring quarter of my first year rekindled my interest in psychology and fostered my decision to major in the subject. My academic passions have also been greatly influenced by my work experience so far at the University. Thanks to my job, I've decided to also try to major in public policy to
supplement psychology. My decision to diversify my college experience and pursue multiple academic passions has opened my pool of opportunity upon graduation.
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
My favorite spot on campus is the main quad, in front of the Eckhart building. From this corner of the quad, you can see the Rockefeller bell tower just peeking over the Oriental Institute. It's also the corner that receives the most amount of sunlight on the days when the sun actually does comes out, something I try to take advantage of! It's prime real estate for hammocks, with two trees just close enough to stretch between; and even though I don't have a hammock, the thought is romantic. It's also a
good place to try and study, and an even better place to take a nap— weather permitting. On good days, you'll run into friends, and on extra good days, you'll run into the dog who plays soccer.
If you could speak directly to the person whose gift supported your scholarship, what would you say?
Thank you for your donation, which has allowed me to pursue my academic and professional interests. My eye-opening summer opportunity would not have been an option without Odyssey funding, and for that I am extremely grateful. The Odyssey Scholarship has supported my academic exploration and allowed me to discover my interests at my own pace. Through the opportunities awarded by this scholarship, I have unearthed the uniting factor for my wide variety of interests: a passion for people—both learning about them through my academic pursuits, and giving back to them through my possible career paths. Your support for my Odyssey Scholarship has been a driving factor in me one day achieving my own desire to give back to others.
