Science impacting lives

When you ask a little kid what they want to be when they grow up you hear many things. You’re likely to get kids that want to be a firefighter, a policeman, a nurse, an astronaut, a mom, or perhaps a veterinarian. Kids dream big dreams when they are young. Whether or not they understand exactly what these jobs do or not, it does not matter to them because they look to these people as heroes and they would love to be those people that are deemed “heroes” in their innocent eyes.

When I was a child I remember wanting to be a veterinarian. I loved animals and always wanted to help them especially when they were homeless. I wanted to make animals feel better. That dream came to a screaming halt when my mother told me that veterinarians have the responsibility of putting animals down. After learning this I continued trying to find something better, something that would interest me in a way that the veterinary science did. For years, I really did not know what I would do or what I was even good at until I reached high school, where I had my first anatomy class. Each class period really intrigued me; to learning things on a cellular level and dissecting so many things. To see with my own eyes the inside each organism was fascinating. Being able to connect an organism to pictures I had seen in books for so many years was enthralling. This high school anatomy teacher helped me realize that I wanted to be in the medical field. I set out, wanting to be a surgeon, because dissecting organisms and identifying the parts of each organisms was easy to me.

Many individuals come to college to try and fulfill their dreams; to better their chance at getting that dream job, or to gain an increase in pay. Regardless of their reasons, I came to college to better my future. After having a few semesters under my belt from a junior college, I really thought that I was prepared for a real university experience. My first semester consisted of the infamous Bio 1160/5, which made me question everything that I had learned in high school. I then continued in my studies where I was able to learn more about very specific sciences that I would have never thought to be in existence. Many classes pushed me to change my thinking and understanding of what I knew about science prior to coming to college.

My thinking about science has completely changed. I once thought that if it was in the textbook, coming from a seemingly smart scientist, it must be true. I thought I knew how science functioned and how new finding were accepted as fact. I really did not question anything, and just accepted it as it is. Looking back there were many classes that I took at SUU that made me realize that it is okay to question those seemingly smart scientists. I learned that it is acceptable to question the world of science, because some things in science are truly unknown. I learned that there are many scientists trying to figure things out, and that questioning is a great way to do just that. I now have a greater appreciation for those people who have dedicated their lives to science. They are the truly dedicated and I applaud them for their work as it is such hard work; putting your findings out for the world to see is such a daunting task.

With that appreciation and understanding of the hard work it is to be a scientist, I believe that even if I do not continue on to be a scientist myself, it will forever change the world I will live in. There are so many discoveries to be found, that will change people’s lives every day, whether they know it or not; whether they themselves are scientists or not. There is research going on all the time. Scientists are inspired by those who are affected by cancer. They are inspired to try to find the cure for debilitating diseases, to help save endangered species, as well as finding new species that have never before been discovered. There are many sciences that help people around the world for the better.

In my youth, I would have never thought that I would be where I am now. I have switched my career path so many times that even now, I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. Regardless of my future, my study of science at SUU has overall made me grow and develop a better understanding of each branch of science; this to me, is a great accomplishment. Realizing that I am a part of a group that is dedicated to constantly learning and figuring things out for the better, is the best thing.  Knowing that science in a way, is a true hero in the world. I am proud to say that I too, am that hero in the world.