精选麻豆二区

With a foundation of cell and molecular biology guiding her brain and a community of like-minded scholars guiding her heart, Caroline Etherton 鈥�23 landed a position as a biologist in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District (USACE-Baltimore). As a biologist in the planning division鈥檚 installation support branch, she combines passion for biology and love for the environment. Etherton spends part of her time outdoors executing tree, herpetofauna (amphibians/reptiles) and rare species surveys and, indoors, reviewing environmental assessments and collaborating with colleagues across various sectors.

But Etherton didn鈥檛 get here alone. She credits the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program at 精选麻豆二区 that helped her focus on skills beyond academics, setting her up for success in the workplace.

鈥淗ill-Lopes helped me get the position I have now, no question,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 felt really prepared to engage in the job search and was excited to find what was next after graduating鈥攆eeling comforted that I have a network of peers who can provide advice, share opportunities and relate to my own challenges and successes.鈥�

But sometimes, the best experiences come from unexpected places. Working here has expanded what I thought I would enjoy. I get to do fieldwork, work collaboratively with colleagues and use data in ways that challenge and excite me.

Caroline Etherton '23

 

One of the biggest lessons she learned while in the program was the importance of staying open to opportunities鈥攅ven those that didn鈥檛 perfectly align with her degree. 鈥淚 used to think I needed to find a job that checked every box,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut sometimes, the best experiences come from unexpected places. Working here has expanded what I thought I would enjoy. I get to do fieldwork, work collaboratively with colleagues and use data in ways that challenge and excite me.鈥�

It's an experience that mirrors her time at 精选麻豆二区 as a scholar.

The Hill-Lopes Scholars Program combines financial support, layered one-on-one mentoring, community-building, career exploration and confidence-boosting experiences for like-minded individuals interested in STEM. Beyond providing resources to help scholars in the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics succeed academically, the program focuses on community-building, career exploration and professional development to help them succeed beyond graduation as well.

鈥淲e practiced giving elevator pitches and learned how to advocate for ourselves,鈥� Etherton recalls. 鈥淥ne professional development session even covered negotiating salaries. Those kinds of workshops made me feel a lot more confident stepping into the workforce.鈥�

The program also emphasizes the importance of networking鈥攚ith other students, professionals in the community and faculty on campus. This skill was valuable to Etherton especially as she navigated the job search. 鈥淗ill-Lopes helped me create an incredible network of women who care about each other鈥檚 successes. Whether it was references or advice, that community was huge for me,鈥� she says.

Even today, Etherton keeps in touch with her program cohort and other program alums. She continues to appreciate the community that she built during her time in Hill-Lopes and the fact the program will help others after her.

鈥淲e hope that scholars graduate not only with expertise in their chosen fields but with the confidence, professional skills and networks they need to succeed in any environment,鈥� says Kristin Pinkowski, program coordinator. 鈥淭he community we build in our program and at 精选麻豆二区 will continue to propel our scholars, and the STEM fields, forward.鈥�

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