During the spring semester of my junior year, my post-graduation path was unclear. I wasn’t sure what kind of career I wanted or where my interests and career choices intersected. I thought, “I’ll probably get my master’s, and then…?” I truly had no idea what I was doing.
While searching for summer internships, I received an email about an undergraduate research opportunity through the Future Research Pioneer’s Program (FRPP). Several topics caught my eye, but one stood out—a sustainable energy solution using bacteria and algae to produce electricity and convert byproducts into water.
When I walked into Dr. Park’s office for the interview, he encouraged me to consider pursuing a PhD—a path I hadn’t even realized was an option for me. I had always thought that a PhD was only for those interested in academic research and teaching.
Meeting his graduate students further opened my eyes. They spoke candidly about their work on batteries, nanomaterials, and lasers, their reasons for going to grad school, and Dr. Park’s relentless support in finding funding for his students. Their experiences were inspiring, and Dr. Park’s recommendation led to my successful application for the Haug Fellowship. With the question of a PhD in the back of my mind, I accepted the research position.
My summer with FRPP was transformative. Working on algae-assisted microbial fuel cells, I gained hands-on experience in areas like hand-molding and firing ceramic anode chambers, incubating bacteria samples, and prototyping fuel cells. I also engaged in an extensive literature review and collaborated closely with my graduate advisors to generate preliminary results, setting the stage for continued research during the semester.
Beyond the technical skills I acquired, FRPP gave me the space to explore whether a future in research was right for me. I discovered that I want to contribute to a greener future by advancing novel sustainable technologies in research and development. This realization made it clear that pursuing a PhD would be the most beneficial next step, providing me with the experience and knowledge needed to build a career I’m passionate about. The FRPP experience has been pivotal in helping me understand my passions and chart a clear path forward after college.