Brooke
I am Brooke, a recent Penn State graduate now studying alpine ecosystem ecology as a Colorado State University graduate student. When I applied to Penn State, I signed up for Discover House as a freshman and was introduced to the many academic options available within each individual college. When it came to exploring and finally choosing a major, I found that it paid to be open-minded and creative.
After two years of searching in DUS, serving as an undergraduate research assistant, and working closely with my adviser, I chose the toxicology major focusing on the movement of compounds through ecosystems. I also completed concurrent majors in Spanish and International Studies. I learned to navigate through and create opportunities at Penn State by researching and actively participating in my education. For example, I contacted a geography professor whose work I admired to learn more about her research and how to enter the field, and I was invited to Ghana! There I assisted in conducting an international interdisciplinary workshop on ecological and social resilience. These types of connections and experiences enabled me to make informed academic decisions and to begin a career I'm excited about!
