Natasha Krell
Project-based classes, especially those that required teamwork were huge preparation for what I’m doing now as a project manager and researcher. There is a lot of value in working collaboratively on a team, figuring out how to motivate others, delegate tasks, and work on deliverables together.
The classes I took at COA also taught me a lot about public speaking and giving presentations, whether it was reading and summarizing research articles or presenting my research findings to a wider audience at the end of the term. These skills gave me a leg up in both graduate school and in my professional life in getting comfortable speaking in front of others.
I also appreciate how much time I was able to spend outdoors, whether it was in classes that involved fieldwork, hikes in Acadia [National Park], paddling on the water, or exploring frozen ponds and lakes in the winter.
The access to professors at COA is pretty much unmatched. For anyone who thinks they might want to go to graduate school, be sure to take advantage of the many opportunities to be mentored by your professors. I was driven at COA to take on independent research projects, such as assisting a Boston University PhD student with plant phenology research in Acadia. This forced me to manage my time really well and juggle a lot of extracurriculars, which put me in a strong position when applying to a PhD program because it showed that I was self-motivated and could work independently without too much direction.
I also recommend using the summers to gain experience through internships and research positions. You have to be proactive during the school year to put together applications for these but it is 100% worth it to figure out during your college experience what your interests are so that you can chart your future before graduation day. It’ll be there before you know it!