uncertain of my specific discipline, I was confident the experience of core science
and electives courses would help me find my passion.
My decision to enter college was something that meant more to me than an
opportunity to make a career change. For, prior to entertaining the idea of filling
out a college application, I was going through a divorce. While I was married, I had
made a great deal of compromises and choices that were not entirely to my benefit,
but rather the benefit of the marriage. As the divorce was being finalized attending
college was the first …show more content…
Additionally, my accomplishment allowed me to begin academic
research in the fall semester
This past semester I had an independent study, one-on-one with a professor
to gain research experience. This was my first opportunity to perform novel
laboratory research and collaborate with the faculty at Montclair State. My role
would be to analyzing 5 million year old samples from Antarctica to further analyze
climate change and earth sea level fluctuations.
As I began learning laboratory techniques, I admired the intent and care with
which every step was performed, from sample preparation to the use of analytical
instruments. My attention to detail and thorough specimen preparation allowed for
an observation that impacted the direction of my research. During sample
degradation, unprompted, I recorded a chalky characteristic present in a small
number of samples. The chalky quality was determined to be calcium carbonate
indicative of warm water. This observation altered my initial charter from
researching land temperatures to focusing on ocean temperatures. My research
experience was gratifying and confirmed my decision to major in