Are you interested in a science career, but don’t know where to begin? Environmental science has many different careers. My beginnings were rocky, nonetheless, I’ve received opportunities that I’m grateful to have experienced.
Stagnant
I wanted to become a pharmacist, so I chose biology as my major. A community college is conceptually like a gang; easy to get in, but hard to get out as I was dealing with personal setbacks.
Transition
Eventually, I transferred to a university. To become a pharmacist, review boards look for students with good lab experiences and recommendation letters. Therefore, finding a lab to volunteer or work at is a great start.
Opportunities
I was fortunate my professor offered me a lab position in his air pollution lab. I had the opportunity to travel with a team of scientists to China and El Salvador to do field work.
Field Work
In China, we utilized the University of California Berkeley’s mobile version of a particle analyzer to measure smoke particle matters, humidity, and temperature.
In El Salvador, wood is burned as a source for cooking (many remote locations in China rely on coal). Everyday at 3 a.m., we’d get up and drive about 1-2 hr. up mountain roads to reach the schools before they started cooking breakfast.
We’d set up air collection equipments to gather samples around 11 a.m. Next, we’d set up during lunch at different schools and collect air samples at 5 p.m. After dinner, I’d be so exhausted, I’d fall asleep immediately. This field work has given me hands on experience of the hard work scientists put in.
Data
After collecting air samples from the sites, we’d run the samples through the Gas Chromatography (GC) for methane, carbon dioxide and other hydrocarbons. The data yielded how much carbon has been emitted to calculate the amount of carbon credit saved. Carbon credit is the measure of greenhouse gases that an industry is allowed to emit.
Additionally, I was involved in a lead paint project. We analyzed the lead content on paint inside houses that were built from the 80’s to 90’s. Pollutant particles have deterioration effects on lead base contents; therefore, by examining the surfaces of lead paint with an electron microscope, we got a better understanding of the pollution in that local area.
Impacts
Three months in El Salvador impacted my life in several ways. My Spanish improved. I’ve heard of third world circumstances; but I didn’t get the feel of their lifestyle until I was there. Families live in homes that are built with large metal sheets. Inside a home, a bed is propped up by concrete blocks with a mosquito net around it. Basically, the home is an open space with no privacy. Showering is done in the morning because at night, many places don’t have electricity.
While in El Salvador, I traveled to Guatemala and visited one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, Tikal. In China, I had a taste of cooked bird and spices that aren’t common in the U.S.
My view of science prior to the experiences was repetitive bench work. Traveling for a student didn’t occur to me; that’s something scientists did. However, I got to experience different cultures and great foods. Additionally, I’ve learned to not take everyday life for granted. I’d advise to seek the fields that you’re interested in and see where it’ll take you.