Students gain exposure to the reality of college

College preparedness continues to be of high interest for LRHS students and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) club members. The search for future college and career opportunities is what led a group of students to tour the Eastern Washington University (EWU) campus and meet with a panel of professors on Thursday, April 14.

The group consisted of Cinthia Guizar, Caden Liberty, Morgan Brausen, Abby Gering, Nathan Naught, Megan Buriak, MicKayla Hall, Morgan Lane, Peyton Curtis, Emma Aldrich, Katie Bidlen, Emily Rosen, Hawk Busayok and Tessa Jantz and STEM club advisor Jason Aldrich.

First they were guided through campus by a junior student at EWU, followed by a tour through the science department by chair of the biology department Peggy O’Connell.

After, the group met with a panel of professors from Eastern’s College of STEM. Each professor represented a different STEM discipline: Dr. Carmen Nazet is a geology professor, Dr. Jackie Coomes and Dr. Frank Lynch are mathematics professors, Dr. Luis Matos is a biology professor, Dr. Nick Burgis is a chemistry professor, and Dr. Stuart Steiner is a computer science professor.

Students had the opportunity to ask the professors about college readiness, what life in college is really like, and opportunities in STEM.

Jantz took note of the professors’ advice as to how to adapt from high school to college. She said, “I was able to learn about the difference of high school and college and some tips on how to transition the different styles.”

Dr. Coomes reinforced her message to students, “The pace of learning is much faster in college, and the responsibility for learning shifts fully to the student. Many students have also moved away from home and have new challenges with the change in culture from high school to college. It is exciting and fun, but distractions can also make it hard to focus on studies.”

Curtis learned about research opportunities. “I learned a lot of things including that are very research orientated,” Curtis explained. “The most promising thing to pursuing a STEM job at the college level would be you are never bored… You are very hands on and you have opportunities to interact in numerous clubs and other activities.”

Liberty appreciated the diversity in the disciplines of the professors: “It was good to learn more about education options after high school and the numerous fields relating to STEM.”

To be successful in any discipline at the college level or after, the professors stressed the importance of math and study skills.

Dr. Steiner explained, “STEM for the most part is applied math and if you struggle with math then you will really struggle in college. For study skills, [students should] be prepared for a much faster, greater workload that can’t be done in one night. To be truly successful in college you have to treat college like it is your job.”

“C’s may get degrees but they won’t get you a job,” he added.

The professors reminded the students that their hard work and diligence, the kind that begins in the high school, pays off long term.

Dr. Coomes said, “STEM careers are in high demand and pay well. One major reason for this is because STEM degrees are very challenging to pursue.”

“The moral of the story is have an end game. Don’t take a STEM major without it because when you get out you may or may not be able to find a job,” Dr. Steiner added to his advice for students. “Also remember earning a college degree does not earn you a job. The degree says you have the skill set to get a job the rest is on you.”

Curtis looks forward to the accountability: “I am looking forward to most in college is exploring all the different classes that might interest me. I am also looking forward to the independence and the ability to learn on my own.”

Overall, the exposure to the reality of college and STEM education motivated many students.

Guizar explained, “The part that I’m looking forward to in college is attending rigorous courses to challenge myself… I’m trying to take difficult courses to make me think and analyze more.”