What have you done since you graduated?: “I graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania this year with a degree in Geology. I moved to South Dakota in May and I lived out there until October.
In South Dakota, I was a Geo-scientist in Badlands National Park. I was hired to be a type of ranger, but it wasn’t a traditional ranger position. Through a program run by the park, geologists teach geology, engage with visitors, and are a source of information for visitors. This season was a little different because of COVID. Instead of going out and doing geology hikes and tours, like I would have been doing if there wasn't a pandemic, I mainly staffed the visitors center.
I got to spend a lot of time learning about South Dakota, learning about all the great places to go, and learning about the Badlands. It was a good experience.
Even though South Dakota was one of the leading states with COVID cases this summer and early fall, we were very prepared and very safe.
I will be in Connecticut for the foreseeable future. I'm currently applying to graduate schools for the fall of 2021. I will be away again somewhere in the country studying geology.”
Why did you decide to be a geologist?: “During my first summer break from college, I worked at the American Museum of Tort Law in Winsted. I worked on some curriculums for the museum when I was there, and I also gave tours. Once I got back to college, I started as a teaching assistant for classes that I had taken in the geology department. I got to know students and I got a feel for what it was like to engage with students and help them with geology work. That was when I figured out that I love to teach.
I applied the following summer to Acadia National Park where I worked as an education ranger, spending the summer doing programs for children, taking people for geology hikes, and getting people involved outdoors. It's wonderful to work in a park.
Before I graduated, the last summer position I held was in Virginia. I was able to develop a geology curriculum and teach students in a camp setting with lessons each day. It was all hands-on lessons with the students. This set me up with my position with Badlands National Park. When I was working at Badlands, it made me realize how much I missed researching. In my senior year at college, I did my thesis on apatite, a mineral in Iceland. I missed that research aspect of geology. I want to get back into research and get my master's degree, and hopefully after that, my Ph. D.”
What do you remember from your time at Gilbert?: “I remember my teachers a lot. My senior year is the first thing in my mind I think just because that was the most recent year. My most fond memories of Gilbert are about being a member of the marching band.
The marching band was in itself a close community. We all had a great time rehearsing and performing. I tried to do some musical ensembles when I was in college but I never found the same type of sound or community that we had at Gilbert. I was always longing for that same community feeling that I had at Gilbert. When I didn't find it, I preserved it in my mind and decided not to continue studying music in college.”