Why did you choose Iowa State?
- I chose Iowa State because I felt such a strong connection to the campus. I love being here, especially when all the trees are blooming it’s truly beautiful. The other major reason I chose ISU was because of the marching band. I remember seeing the ISUCFVMB at band Spectacular in Davenport back sometime in the early 2010’s and it was always a dream to be a part of something like that.
How did you become interested in your major? What excites you most about your major?
- I became interested in Environmental Science because of the number of opportunities it offered with future careers, as well as the chance to improve the planet around us in any way I can. I chose music as my second major because I love playing the French Horn and wanted the opportunity to better my skills with it.
What’s your favorite class so far within your major and why?
- My favorite “class” I took was Wind Ensemble. I was a member for four years and being a part of such a talented ensemble 4 days a week really made going through college easier. The travel opportunities like going to Europe twice and playing in Orchestra Hall last year was really just an awesome experience and I’ll always think of Wind Ensemble fondly.
What are your current career interests and/or goals for after graduation?
- I currently am going into Agricultural research with Liqui-Grow back in Davenport doing field fertilizer research. Alongside working a full time job in whatever field I end up in, I’m hoping to eventually audition for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra for a full spot, as well as continuing to sub for any orchestra gigs I can find.
How would you describe the support you receive from faculty or staff in your major or at Iowa State in general?
- I received a ton of support from the music department staff, especially with navigating the time management that is required with being a double major. They helped make everything work out so I could graduate in 4 years (which I did!)
Have you had any internship experiences yet? (Or work experiences related to your major)
- Two of the most impactful work experiences I’ve had came with my sub roles with the Quad City and Des Moines Symphony Orchestras. I had the major opportunity to play Assistant Principal horn with the QCSO on Mahler 6 masterworks concert in April. This gig taught me a lot about what it means to play music professionally and the major effort it is to sit through some long and grueling rehearsals.
What did you enjoy most about it?
- I just loved being a part of that ensemble. I played with the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra throughout high school, so being offered the opportunity to play with the professional group sitting next to my professor was a great honor.
How did it help prepare you for your future goals and career?
- It helped me realize that I do belong in a professional symphony setting and that I can hang with the pros. It also made me remember how much I enjoy playing in an orchestra.
Tell us about any experiences you had with learning communities, clubs, leadership, or other campus activities.
- My main campus activities outside of my classes mostly involved the athletic bands like the marching band, basketball pep band, and volleyball pep band. Alongside my other musical ensembles, I played a lot of intermural and rec sports. I actively play sand and indoor volleyball as well as rec basketball.
How have those impacted your time at Iowa State so far?
- Playing rec sports has introduced me to a lot of new friends outside of band and really just kept me active and moving as well as gave me a good study break when I needed it.
What have been your study abroad/travel experiences at ISU?
- Being in the various bands I’m apart of, I’ve gotten so many travel experiences it’s hard to keep track of everywhere I’ve been. With Wind Ensemble I’ve traveled to Europe twice including countries like England, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria and I got to be apart the group to travel to Chicago and perform in Orchestra Hall. With Marching Band I’ve gotten to travel to Kansas City twice, Orlando, Memphis, and Dublin Ireland. With pep bands I’ve traveled to so many places for the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments that I honestly can’t list them all but my favorite was to Boston for the sweet 16 my sophomore year.
What did you enjoy most about it?
- It was just amazing to get to go to all these places that I never would’ve gotten the chance to without band. Especially traveling to Europe the 3 separate times I did. I had never been out of the country before college so getting the opportunity to in college was amazing.
How did study abroad/traveling help prepare for your future goals?
- It helped prepare me by showing that I really enjoy traveling and that I need to do more of it while I’m young.
What’s your most memorable ISU experience so far?
- There’s been so many good experiences that it’s hard to pick just one, but I think my favorite memory so far was traveling to Dublin with a lot of my friends the first week of school and beating K State in a place I’ve never been before. It was also really cool getting to stay at Trinity college and learning about all the history there.
The best part of studying Environmental Science at Iowa State is getting the opportunity to better the world around me in my career.
What has surprised you most about your major(s)?
- What surprised me the most was how easy it ended up being to double major with two completely separate degrees. I made it work in 4 years even with people doubting it could be done.
What’s your favorite class so far that is not related to your major?
- My favorite class I took was my very first class at ISU, Intro to World Religions. It taught me a lot about what people believe around the world and it was just super interesting to learn about.
What’s your proudest ISU moment so far?
- My proudest ISU moment was seeing all my hard work finally come to fruition when I got to play horn for the first time professionally.
My best advice for new students is do everything that you have the time for. College is over before you know it so take advantage of everything ISU can give you. (Intermurals are really fun!)
When I came to ISU, I never thought I would miss it so much. Now that I’m facing graduation and leaving I’ve started to notice everything small that I’m going to miss, stuff like walking to class across this beautiful campus or getting lunch in the MU.
I plan to make an impact in the world by hopefully working towards cleaning the Iowan waters and hopefully reducing the cancer rates in Iowa.
What’s something new you were inspired to try or do at Iowa State?
- I never would have played volleyball if I didn’t give it a shot my freshman year. Now it’s one of my favorite sports to play, and I’ve made so many friends playing it.
How have you grown personally at Iowa State?
- I’ve grown so much personally at ISU. Any of my professors or directors would tell you how much I’ve grown and changed as a leader and an individual throughout my four years at Iowa State.