Jennifer Williams

How would you describe your college experience?

I can sum up my college experience in the following terms: hard work and dedication. Here at MTSU in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences we always tell our students, “Not all majors are created equal.” I learned very quickly as a new college student that this was true. In order to be successful in a STEM major, you have to be organized, determined, and have good time management skills. All of these are skills that I developed during my time in college and it did not always come easy. I noticed that as a STEM major I had to dedicate more time to homework and studying than some of my friends who were pursuing other majors outside of STEM. I had to learn to structure my time more wisely. Balancing my studies, time with my friends, and my job was a challenge but being able to manage so much made me feel very accomplished. I developed strong relationships with my professors and with faculty and staff around campus which provided me with numerous opportunities throughout my time in college. I was able to conduct research and travel to conferences across the United States to present my research. By working on campus as a student worker, I was able to build my work schedule around my classes which helped me manage my time and make lasting connections around campus.

When did you know that you wanted to major in a STEM discipline?

I have always had a talent for Mathematics and it was a subject I enjoyed, but it was not until my senior year of high school that I really considered studying the subject. I took a Calculus class that year, and I was the go-to person for questions. It was during that time that I realized that I really enjoyed helping others understand math.

What is the most rewarding thing that you do in your job as a STEM professional?

As an academic advisor, I get to share my experience as a student and more importantly as a former STEM major. It is extremely rewarding to be able to help other STEM majors who are struggling to find a way to balance life, work, and their studies. I am able to provide them with resources that give them the extra help they need to be successful.

I have also had the opportunity to teach a College Algebra course from time to time and the most rewarding part of that experience is seeing how far my students have come since the beginning of the semester. It is a great feeling when it comes time to prepare for the final exam and I hear my students speaking to each other about the material with a sense of understanding.

What would you tell a middle or high school girl about careers in STEM?

STEM majors have so many opportunities. There are so many jobs at their fingertips. My best advice would be to get involved in some way in the field that you want to have a career in. By gaining exp