Track: Polymer Science
Undergrad: Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA - Chemistry
Internship: Willamette Valley Company
Current Job Title: Director of Manufacturing at Special Asphalt Products

While finishing my junior year at Western Washington University, I didn’t know what to do next. Should I be looking for a job or did I want to continue my education? If I was going to pursue higher education I would need to start studying for the GRE… There were so many things swirling through my head at a very pivotal time in my life. Plus, did I mention I was newly engaged?

When someone at my school suggested checking out an info session for the Masters Industrial Internship Program, I hesitated to go. Moving to Oregon to get a masters seemed outside my comfort zone. But what did I have to lose? I went and heard the spiel: summer quarter of rigorous coursework; immersion lab that would challenge thinking and problem-solving skills; professional development classes – and the opportunity to interview with program partners for internships. It sounded pretty intense.

Applying was easy.  I submitted my resume and grades, no need for the GRE (which was a relief). Soon after, I was given the chance to interview over Skype. It went well; there were some classic interview questions and casual conversation. I decided that if I got in, I would go. Getting a master’s degree in chemistry and gaining job experience to start my career sounded like a good deal.

I received an acceptance letter, which meant I was moving to Oregon!  Finishing out senior year was hectic but good. Graduation from WWU was on Saturday, so I moved to Oregon on Sunday.  Professional development class started on Tuesday. Here we go, I thought, and walked into a room of 60+ people.  No one knew each other and we were all in the same boat.

The classes were hard but fair.  We were encouraged to work together and learn from each other.  Some people had little to no background in polymers, while others had studied it in college (and a few had actually worked in the field). The teachers/staff were great and my fellow students were awesome and friendly. We all worked together on homework, resumes, interview questions and hung out after class. Soon, we had finished the immersion project and the networking dinner/ interviews were the following week. After a few interviews I had one concrete offer from my top choice. It was exciting and exhausting. Just so happened that my wedding was between the immersion project and the networking dinner!