Growth vs. Fixed Mindsets

Personally, I feel that I tend to have a growth mindset. But, every once in a while, the fixed mindset tends to creep in and tries to wreak havoc. Throughout my educational journey, my mind has learned to become more malleable and looks for ways to address issues that I encounter. For example, a few years ago, I greatly desired to go back to school but was working full time. I had also just had a baby and have two other older children at home. They needed me to take them to their after-school activities, feed them, and to make them dinner. I simply did not have the time. But, the desire to go to school was so great that I decided I would find a way, one way or another. Ultimately, I was able to transfer to a community college closer to my job and was able to attend one class during my lunch break two days a week. It might not seem like much, but that one class propelled me to eventually quit my job and attend school full-time. For months I was stuck on the fixed mindset that if it’s not easy, then I must not be able to do it. But when the desire to improve ourselves is so great, most everyone (I believe) will find a way to change that mindset and make their dreams come true. I believe we all have the ability to change our mindset when we truly desire it. Yes, we go thru life with some misconceptions and beliefs. But we have the ability to change and evolve.

College life- Transferring into a career

There are traits that I have acquired throughout college that I hope to carry on to my career upon graduation. Three of those traits are resiliency, honesty, and balance. There have been many obstacles on my way to be where I am in my education journey. At one point, I was working full time. There was no time to go to college. And I couldn't stop working since I would be left without a way to pay for a babysitter. I wanted my education so bad, that I enrolled at a college closer to my work so I could go to one lecture during my lunch break. So, I did. I went for lecture two times a week during my lunch break and on monday nights to lab. It was only one class but it propelled me to pursue leaving my job and enrolling full time. Honesty is something I have valued all thru my life. But in college, I have seen the rewards of being honest with others the most. Professors are more willing to work with a student if they are honest and forthcoming. In my future career, I hope to be honest with my superiors whenever I need help. Balance has been a constant struggle with college life and family. I feel as if I finally have reached a point where I can freely say no to other commitments to be able to do homework. Being able to say no to certain social engagements has allowed me time to finish my homework comfortably so I can attend family events as they come up. I look forward to carrying on to my future career much more than just book smarts. Traits that will help me succeed in life are also learned in college.

My future dream career

This is my junior year pursuing my degree in science. My official degree is bachelor degree in pharmacology/ toxicology. In the future, I would like to do research with the help of my degree. It seems very interesting to be able to manipulate genes in plants to create more sustainable and tolerant food crops to feed the world. Recently I learned a bit about Norman Borlaug. He bred certain types of wheat to create a short stemmed class of wheat that helped agriculture tremendously. It seems amazing to me how one scientist can help the farmers of this world without being a farmer himself. I have a great amount of respect for the farmers who put food on our tables and would love to help them feed the world.

Reflections On My Online Presence

This week I have been thinking about the kind of image that I would like to portray online. Recently, I have created a Wix website at the prompt of my STEM professor. And, I realize I would like to have more research under my belt. I am in my second semester of organic chemistry, so I feel as if I still don't understand much of what I could bring to a research team. Ultimately, I will just jump into it. I wish to learn and that will be exactly what I will bring to the table, a clean slate. I am now looking for research opportunities and will update here once I do get a position somewhere. I will do so because I don't just want to have something to beef up my website, I want the experience more than anything. Have a great week! -Wendy

My Online Presence

Like most people, I have social media. I am aware some prospective employers check social media platforms to check on the profiles of prospective employees. But I have never been too worried about my own profiles. As a rule of thumb, I tend to stay away from talking about politics or other controversial topics when online AND when in person. I acknowledge the most people have differing viewpoints and experiences which might affect the way they feel and defend their viewpoints. I have seen and felt the strenght of some individuals passion towards certain issues, and it has scared me at times. This and my need to feel accepted tend to push me into only posting positive, uplifting messages. I usually post pictures of my children and of nature. This is truly how I feel on the inside as well since the things that bring me the most joy are family and nature.

End of Semester

Hello, Finally! The semester is over. This one was a special one. This was my last semester at Phoenix College before transferring to ASU West, and I am over the moon excited! I am very grateful to this program, I wish I had joined earlier in my education. A big thanks to Joshua James and Amanda Chapman. Thank you for guiding me thru this process. And thank you to all of my peers. You are all so brilliant and inspire me so much. Your presentations were phenomenal! I hope to see you all in the future. Maybe there will be a reunion someday, and we can have those chimichangas. Have a wonderful summer, Wendy

May 13th

Hello, Welcome back! While doing my research, I was very surprised that some of my most in-depth sources are papers written in the early 1900’s. Once upon a time, I was once told that a man with the name of Rockefeller had changed the medicine industry. I didn’t think much of it but decided to look into it now. I learned that in the early 1900’s Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, both very wealthy, influential men, brought about capitalism to the health care industry and re-invented the medical curriculum being taught in schools at that time. There is a book that was written in 1979 by Richard E. Brown that I plan on ordering and reading over the summer. The book is called: Rockefeller Medicine Men : Medicine and Capitalism in America. Perhaps this might explain why research on plants being used as medicine is not so easily available as plants are not so easily obtained throughout the world but a pill can be distributed without loosing it’s freshness. Thank you for visiting! Wendy Reference: https://digitalcommons.rockefeller.edu/the-rockefellers/37/