Science! The complexity, the unknown, and the ability to help the world. These things are sometimes tied with science, but for me they drove my ambition to pursue a degree of Biology and Criminal Justice at Southern Utah University. Without these aspects of science I don’t feel that I would have chosen the degrees that I have today.
Every person begins to question the world that we live in during an early age; this is called the ‘why’ phase. Many people grow out of it or get satisfied by the answers that they receive from the people around them. However, I on the other hand wanted to know more. I wanted to know each little mechanism. What each little mechanism controlled and how they related to one another. At this young age, I knew that there were something that was able to explain why everything was the way that it was no matter the answers that I received through religious teachings or even from the people around me. I would begin my own research into sites that would help me understand the processes of the biological world because those around me would not be able to answer my questions to the highest ability.
This was my first taste into research. I had a hard time a first not knowing the specific questions to ask to find the answers I wanted. However, article after article that I read I found different answers that I didn’t even know that I was asking. This demonstrated to me that world I lived in was more complex than I first realized. I found articles that expressed how the mitochondria was able to produce ATP allowing for the organism to be able to do other processes that are needed to sustain life. I also found articles that spoke about space and how life could be possible if particular species adapted to temperature differences because the other needed elements for life were present on the planets. These articles were not just that biology or science was complex, but the universe has so much to offer to another that is willing to take the time and look around exploring.
As I was looking around exploring the published worked of biology I began to realize there were holes in the research. This confused me at first. I was like science was suppose be able to explain all the questions that I had, but many times they produced more questions with no answers. As I got older I realized that some science is known, but what is the most exciting part of science is the unknown. If scientist just focused on what was known then there would never be new discoveries. The reason that there are scientific discoveries are that scientists are not afraid to ask the hard questions that don’t have the answers and search for the answers themselves. They know that they might be proved wrong through their research, but if they never asked the question than we would live in an uncivilized world. Stuck in a place of unlearning. For learning is the greatest proof of civilization.
With these ideas in my head, I knew that I wanted to do something to better the world through the world of science. For the longest time I want to go into the medical field either as a surgeon or a doctor. I felt that I would be able to help the individuals understand what was happening inside their bodies and the best way of treatment to help them stay in the best shape possible. I would be able to do this by understanding and using the biological principles of the human body and what was required of them. I would also be able to help fill in the gaps of understanding the human brain in the way of the structure and how particular diseases affect the cognitive function of the individual. However, as I continued on my educational journey I realized one key feature about myself that hindered my ability to go into the medical field. I was unable to remember and recall simple detailed facts no matter how much I studied. Thus, the probability of me misdiagnosing an individual increased distractedly.
Two alternatives popped up in high school relating to biology; sports medicine and forensic science. Sports medicine brought in another one of my interests sports. I would be able to use the biology of the human body once again to work on sports teams to help injured players during the games and after with physical therapy. Or so I thought. As I did more research into this career path I found out that most people that go into sport medicine end up just doing physical therapy. I was not in the realm of during physical therapy for the rest of my life. That’s when the second alternative really took hold and I pursued it to this day.
My love for forensic science developed through watching television shows like C.S.I., NCIS, and Law & Order. Though these shows are not completely accurate in the way that science is actually used in solving crimes. It showed me that it is possible to be able to use science to help put away criminals using different aspects of biology. Including data analysis, insect life cycle, toxicology, and human physiology. This was solidified during my internship at the Utah State Central Forensic Laboratory located in Salt Lake City.
During my internship, I was able to use a multitude of my skills that I have learned throughout my time at Southern Utah University. I was able to interpret data charts that were produced the technical machines. I learned that when DNA is harvested from a crime scene that the DNA has to be ran through PCR and I was able to perform and practice doing my own PCRs. Through comparing the technology shown on television and the actual technology that is available to labs today; forensic science still has a long way to go before it is able to reach the same standards of equipment as shown on the television. However, with developments in the scientific world equipment will continue to improve helping with the criminal justice system allowing for the protection of every individual's rights.
Just like the comparison of modern forensic labs and those shown on television. I have found a new paradox with reality. Many individuals say that once you graduate with a degree career opportunities will just fall from the sky. However, that is not the case. As graduation keeps approaching there are more unknowns than there are knowns. May of the forensic careers opportunities that I have applied for have all responded with the same response; “at this time you are not qualified.” This raises important questions for me, “What to do next? Were these four years really worth my time?” To the first question, I have no idea how to answer that one. There are so many avenues to take with so many different outcomes; graduate school, military, or continue to look for work and getting certificates along the way. For the second question, the answer is a little bit simpler. Yes, these four years were worth my time. I was able to do what I loved. Learned about the world I live in. Experienced the beauty and complexity that is biology. Even learned about myself that biology is not always about the little details, but the larger picture and being able to put everything together in the end.
