Where to begin?

I am a current senior at Mount Holyoke College, the first women's college in the nation founded in 1837. In other words, during my last 4 years here, MHC has transformed itself from an old fashion campus into a modern campus dealing with modern stresses. What does that mean to me? Nothing except that I need a brief break from the tuition and found myself working in South America- probably the best decision I have ever made.

I have always liked the sciences and upon entering MHC decided to minor in physics. i didn't know that 4 short years later, filled with endless problem sets, I'd actually turn that minor into a major and add astronomy to my list. See I always had a love for math, until I hit MHC. I then decided math was too much theory and not realistic enough for me. Therefore I turned to applied math, or physics. About 2 years into my education, I found an additional love of astronomy, which Ii consider applied physics. Throw a little compsci in there, because programming is fun, just not something I see myself doing everyday. Add a pinch of required courses and you have my MHC career. I might actually get out a semester early in May if I can manage to finish my Latin American Politics class (last distribution requirement) and complete the wicked hard Electro-Magnetic Theory class (last physics course offered at MHC).

In addition, to taking classes I love (as scary as that sounds) I try hard to gain applied work experience. Since my first year I have work for LITS (library information and technology services) in the Dwight computer lab. I have gone from basic computer knowledge to repairing hardware and software issues with all college computers. Its a great job, because Marc is by far the nicest boss (he gives us candy to eat).

Since my second year I have also graded for the physics department. This is a time consuming job, but its very satisfying. I learn so much about different approaches to problems and where kids got thrown off the trail. Someday when I become a professor, I feel these years of grading will help me teach kids in different ways for better general understandings.

Finally after 10 short weeks of telescope operating and data analysis, I decided to TA a basic telescope class for the astronomy dept. This has been a get experience for me. In Chile I was disappointed to learn most astronomers don't actually run the telescopes anymore, but at MHC we have the "old fashion" refractors that you have to manually move the dorm to view through. I've been able to applied the skills I taught myself and gave new meaning to the night sky.

Well this sounds much like my resume, but really this is summarizing my MHC career. The only thing I have forgot to mention is the MHC community and the traditions, which are as equally important part of my career here.