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GET TO KNOW ME!
GET TO KNOW ME!
Hi! My name is Marissa! I'm from Chicago, and my main draw to IUI was the awesome, accredited forensic science program that's offered here! I really like that in general there's a huge student population, but everything within the School of Science is always very close-knit, and I have been able to form great connections with my peers and faculty! I also love being located downtown, as there are so many resources and things to explore both academically, career-related, and socially. I love finding new restaurants, going to concerts, getting coffee, and spending time outside or exploring different things to do downtown! I have had so many great experiences at school and in Indianapolis in general, and more things just keep getting added to that list as time goes on!
WHY SCIENCE?
My majors are Forensic & Investigative Science and Biology. I chose these majors because I am really interested in how science can apply to the law and how the work of forensic scientists and biologists can help people and society as a whole in situations of uncertainty. I am really excited to explore the different specializations within these areas, mainly on the biology side, which is the specialization I have chosen for my major.
My majors are Forensic & Investigative Science and Biology. I chose these majors because I am really interested in how science can apply to the law and how the work of forensic scientists and biologists can help people and society as a whole in situations of uncertainty. I am really excited to explore the different specializations within these areas, mainly on the biology side, which is the specialization I have chosen for my major.
CAREER PLANS?
I would really like to go on to pursue further degrees after completing my undergrad, as there are many different specializations in forensic science that I may end up choosing. Currently, I think the career path that would interest me most would be working as a forensic investigator for local or state-level government.
I would really like to go on to pursue further degrees after completing my undergrad, as there are many different specializations in forensic science that I may end up choosing. Currently, I think the career path that would interest me most would be working as a forensic investigator for local or state-level government.
TEAMWORK
TEAMWORK
My current strengths as a team member are that I can come up with unique solutions to challenges that arise and I am good at taking initiative and organizing things when somebody needs to take on a leadership role. I am also able to recognize when another team member has more knowledge or expertise in a certain area which may call for more listening than talking on my behalf, and more observing rather than needing to take action. My previous experiences as a team member have taught me that there are many different situations where it may be necessary to take on a different role in the team. As mentioned above, it's good to recognize when you may need to take on a more passive role in the group, or when it may be necessary to be more vocal, or 'take charge' more in the group.
MY EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS
MY EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS
Jobs: I have worked a couple different jobs over the past few years that have really built on my experiences of working with people and gaining responsibility. At home, my first real job was a tutoring job at my high school, where I learned how to effectively teach topics to others, and it was also my first experience with showing up for 'shifts' every week.
The other job I worked during high school was working at a local golf course near my house where I was a front desk receptionist. This has definitely been my biggest experience with customer service, and it really showed me how to communicate with others effectively, work professionally, and gain responsibility by closing/opening by myself and handling money or completing transactions.
This year I also started working as a mentor for the general chemistry courses on campus at IUPUI. I help with leading the "Roar In Chemistry" sessions which are designed to help students develop strategies for succeeding in the class and doing problems each week that correspond to the material they are learning.
Lastly, I have worked as a Science Ambassador on campus at the School of Science, which includes giving tours and sending out mailings to prospective students. This has been a good way for me to learn how to balance school and support myself so far through college, and has always made me feel like I'm involved on campus and make an impact on incoming student's decisions to choose IUPUI.
Campus Involvement: The biggest and most important thing to me that I'm involved in on campus is the IUPUI JagBand. The band plays at all of the women's and men's basketball games during their seasons! Going into college, I wanted to make sure I still had an activity that I chose to do for fun as something not school or work related, and band has been the perfect activity for that. I was in band all throughout high school and it's something really fun that makes me happy and is a good way to stay involved!
I am also a part of the ALD/PES Honors Society and frequently attend member events and meetings! I have gotten a lot of fun experiences out of it, such as attending Indians baseball games downtown and meeting new people!
Additionally, I was just recently selected to be the Coordinator of Social Media for this year's upcoming Regatta (IUPUI's annual homecoming event)! Using my creativity to make social media content has been one of my hobbies for many years, and this is another exciting opportunity to give back to the campus and stay involved!
Service: Through being in the Honors College, I have to complete annual volunteer hours, and this has made me search out and complete a lot of service opportunities in Indy.
So far I have volunteered at Newfields, the Indianapolis Zoo, and a couple of on campus events! These opportunities have made me go out of my comfort zone and try new things which I feel like has helped me become more independent. It's also made me see different places or parts of the city that I've never been to before! Volunteering also goes along with my love for helping others and wanting to go into a career that serves the community.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
I really enjoy a good mix of working with others and independent work. When work is too independent or there's no collaboration I tend to get bored, but also when work is entirely group-related it can become too much for me. I think this is because I consider myself being in between an introvert and extrovert. I also find it really important to be able to ask questions and have being to bounce ideas off of, which is why I like working with others.
NON-LHSI SKILLS
Throughout the fall semester, I feel as if I gained many non-internship skills that can help me in different areas of my life and my career. The fall was my first semester serving as a chemistry mentor/tutor for the general chemistry classes at IUPUI. I think this was beneficial for me in many ways, as it improved my ability to communicate with and help others, while also keeping me up to date on topics within chemistry that are still relevant to my current studies in organic chemistry class. I have also been able to work on my time management skills, which is something I feel like I am constantly adapting and improving on. I was managing my LHSI internship, two on-campus jobs, a full load of credit hours, extracurriculars, and other personal priorities. I think this is a skill that can be beneficial for anyone to have and will help me as I continue to work through the rest of college and even in my future life/career once I have graduated.
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