Highlighting Women in Science: A Student’s Perspective
Olivia Shaw is a University of North Georgia student from Suwanee, Georgia. She is a senior with one more year to complete her studies.
She decided to attend the school after spending time on campus while her brother was a student there. She found the campus location and atmosphere so beautiful and engaging that it was not difficult for her to decide where she wanted to spend her college years.
Her Studies at a Glance
- Major: General Chemistry
- Minor: Forensic Science
- Specialization: Laboratory Chemistry and Characterization Techniques
- Typical schedule: Two classes per day, in class or in a lab from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Her specialization involves identifying unknown chemicals using two techniques:
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)
- Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy
These methods allow her to identify the functional groups or the basic structure of a compound.
Future in Forensic Chemistry
Olivia hopes to work in a crime lab alongside medical examiners and crime scene investigators.
What Drew Her to Science
Like several of our other Women in Science interviewees, Olivia’s love of science comes from:
- A curiosity about the world
- The big questions that make her think
- A desire to understand how things work
Her father, an engineer, introduced her to the world of science. They have always shared an interest in space exploration and aerodynamics.
From Aerospace to Chemistry
Olivia originally planned to study Aerospace Engineering. She discovered her passion for chemistry while taking classes to support that pathway.
The hard work involved in studying difficult subjects motivates her:
“I have always liked things that make me think. I find a lot of satisfaction in the hard work it takes to understand different scientific principles and challenging subject matter. I have always loved nature, so studying to understand the world’s natural laws is very satisfying.”
The Most Rewarding Part
Olivia considers the hard work her field requires to be the most rewarding aspect of her path.
- She enjoys putting in the extra effort.
- She values knowing she has accomplished something at the end of each day.
- Even when things don’t go as planned in the lab, or the results aren’t great, it is still satisfying to see the results of her work.
Women in Science
Olivia sees diverse opinions in the scientific community as the main reason women should participate:
“Women have often been underrepresented in the field of science. Having different perspectives and groups of people is important to bring in new ideas and evolve the field forward. It’s also important to break gender stereotypes in the science workforce.”
She points to progress in other fields as an example:
“We have seen this more and more over the years; for example, there has been an increase in male nurses, a profession often associated mostly with women. I love seeing these types of things.”
She also mentioned that when women are able to do what they want in STEM, it can:
- Be a great confidence booster
- Act as a catalyst for breaking stereotypes
Her Advice to Young Women
To young women considering science as their field of study, she says:
“Follow your heart and go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do what you want or aren’t good enough. Don’t give anyone a reason to believe that you can’t do it. Hard work and dedication can take you anywhere you want to go. Try not to be discouraged at some of the hard lessons that arise.”
Olivia admits to feeling discouraged and frustrated at times, but those feelings fade as time passes. She got through it and encourages other young women, and people in general, to stick with it even when it is hard.
“These lessons provide a great sense of accomplishment, confidence, and an increased ability to trust yourself.”
Strength Training and Sports
Outside of school, Olivia keeps an active lifestyle:
- Strength training and weight lifting: five to six days a week
- Sports and outdoor activities: a long-time athlete who also loves hiking
- Yoga: a more recent addition to her routine
- Reading: a goal for this year that she has made time for
Yoga provides a great counterbalance to weight lifting. It helps her slow down and be more mindful when she is busy and has very little time to herself, which supports her mental health.
Balancing a Busy Schedule
Olivia balances her free time with school, internships, and a job. She admits that such a busy schedule can sometimes be overwhelming. Her workouts and yoga help her stay grounded and aware of her feelings.
Finding time for herself is crucial when her schedule has so many moving parts. This is easier because she is surrounded by friends, family, and professors who support her well-being.
Closing Thoughts
In closing, Olivia stressed how important it is for young women to keep pushing forward:
“Failure can be very scary. The first time you fail at something is so humbling, and it is hard to be okay with failing. Sometimes, you can be doing your very best and still fail. You grow so much when you allow yourself to be open to the lessons that come from it. If you’re really passionate about what you are doing, don’t shy away from it. Keep moving forward.”
Women in Science Article Series
In this article series, The Lab Depot hopes to honor the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by building awareness of the women who do this work every day: mothers, daughters, wives, friends, caregivers, and colleagues.
These are stories of commitment, dedication, transition, and a great love for the potential to improve the world, found in all sciences. We hope you enjoy learning more about these contributors to chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering.
Know a woman in science? If you are a woman in science, or know one you greatly respect, please let us know! Tell us about your path, or hers:
- Use the comments section on any of our Women in Science social media posts, or
- Email our Communications Officer, Susie Csomor, at [email protected]
