Public Research For Public Good

Transcript

Next up is Sarah, a junior psychology major with a personal interest in helping people around her. Sarah’s gonna tell us all about her experiences with public research for the public good and why UMBC is so keen on making community engage research, such a big part of students’ lives. It’s all yours Sarah.

– Thanks, Alex. Growing up, I always wanted to help people, whether I was with my friends or doing a volunteer project, I always felt best helping people to get in a better position. I didn’t know how to go into a community, learn about their needs and address them accordingly until I learned about the power of community driven, applied research. I love how UMBC embraces the inquiring minds of student and provide so many research opportunities to actualize our potential. I chose to study psychology to achieve my goal of affectingly helping people by analyzing their environment and the adjustments that can be made to improve their wellbeing and productivity. I received a research opportunity from my wonderful academic advisor and I worked with her for over a year to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on students’ academic success. I’m also McNair scholar, it’s a program that emphasizes research and graduate school education for underserved, low income and first generation college students. Being surrounded by a supportive community that provides funding and other resources shows that success in research is achievable. Finding research in your discipline is only a click away. You’ll be able to learn more about your field and what the needs are and you’ll be equipped with the tools necessary to elicit change wherever your education or profession takes you. My research experiences have given me the knowledge and confidence necessary to become an asset to my field and community. UMBC will help you learn your purpose, put your passion action, add to your field’s knowledge base and make the world a better place. Back to you, Alex.

– Thank you so much, Sarah. I loved hearing about how you’ve been able to take what you’ve been learning and really make a difference in the community with your research. It’s amazing and such an aspiring way of combining your personal interests with your work. Thanks again.