Nina Fishman decided on staying close to home going to UCONN and chose material science and engineering as her major. Going through her freshman and sophomore year, Fishman realized she really had a liking for math and science. “The classes were tough, but I enjoyed the challenge. They always made more sense to me than classes like English,” explained Fishman.

Material science and engineering is the development of new materials for different applications such as electronics, aerospace, and textiles. It combines chemistry along with engineering to characterize and create and improve innovative materials.  

During Fishman’s sophomore year honors chemistry with Mrs. Patterson, students were invited on a tour of a chemical company in town that was women owned. The chemical company, Roper Thermals, makes phase change materials which is a wax that stores and releases heat. The wax keeps things hot and cool, and is different based on the amount of carbons in each wax.

The company was looking for interns. Fishman knew she enjoyed science but did not know what she wanted to do with it. She sent in her resume, got the job, and has been working there the past three summers. This job introduced her to the field of chem, engineering, and science; which helped her with her major choice. Fishman explained her job by saying, “I test the different waxes based on their freeze and melt points and composition.” 

After graduating, Fishman hopes to be working a job that is hands-on and in a lab. After UConn, she is considering getting her master’s degree or PhD.

Laura Orn made the decision to go out of Connecticut to Providence College in Rhode Island and major in biology because she wants to do something in the medical field. “I choose this because I want to be a surgical tech or do something medical and biology is a safe bet with medical,” explained Orn

Growing up, Orn underwent several surgeries. She Remembers how the doctors and nurses were so kind and made sure she felt as comfortable as possible. Orn knew from then she wanted to be in the medical field because she wanted to be able to do that for others. Orn has not ruled out becoming a pediatrician, so she could help kids and make them feel as she did when she was younger. 

After graduating, Orn hopes to apply to surgical tech certification school, or if that changes, medical school. 

Also going to UCONN, Alyssa Ruthstrom is majoring in journalism. Ruthstrom hopes to be a sports broadcaster, specifically football, which is not a major that UCONN offers, so she chose the next best option.

Ever since she was younger, Ruthstrom grew up watching sports with her dad -her biggest inspiration for her major. 

However, watching reporters is what really caught her eye. She thought what they got to do looked fun and cool. She grew up watching them on ESPN and TV. Ruthstrom, who played sports all her life, knew she wanted to stick with it even if she’s not physically playing. 

Sissy Goldberg was a reporter at ESPN that Ruthstrom heard about from her father. She lived in Connecticut, and Ruthstrom got the chance to meet her. Being able to see her become successful, living in the same state as Ruthstrom, helped motivate her to follow her dream. 

After graduation, Ruthstrom hopes to be working for ESPN at their headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. Choosing to stay close to home, Ruthstrom said, “I can still stay connected to friends and family, and have a positive force behind me while trying to get to ESPN.”

Ruthstrom hopes to get to the point where she is in a studio, on TV, and talking to players on the field -getting different interviews from them. 

Meadow Papacoda is going to TIGI in Guilford, Connecticut where she will be in beauty and hairstyles. Papacoda never had an interest for school and chose something that she enjoyed, which is beauty.

Junior year, Papacoda went to the job shadow, a program organized by guidance, and signed up for cosmetology, which she really ended up liking. Papacoda knew her love for makeup could lead her into a career, so she chose to stick with it. Papacoda saw the senior graduates of 2023 that also attended TIGI on instagram and thought it looked fun. Additionally, she loved seeing that those girls already have jobs in fields they are passionate about. 

After graduation Papacoda hopes to be building a clientele and her own business. Papacoda also wants to travel the world, and do makeup for women all over the world. “Makeup is my strong suit, and if I could make a career out of it, that would be amazing,” closed Papacoda.