My experience in the Science and Global Change (SGC) program over the past three semesters has significantly shaped my understanding of both science and global change, while also helping me solidify my decision to pursue a career as a data scientist. Throughout the program, I've gained a deeper understanding of climate change, the scientific methods behind it, and how data is crucial in addressing complex global issues. Additionally, being part of a living-learning community has allowed me to connect with like-minded peers, share ideas, and collaborate on tackling global challenges, which has been a valuable part of my educational journey. These experiences have not only broadened my knowledge of the world but have also equipped me with the tools to apply data science in solving problems that impact our future.
First of all, I have encountered many instances of real-time global climate change that have deepened my understanding of human activity and environmental changes. One event that caught my attention was the series of hurricanes that hit Florida recently, particularly Hurricane Helene. This storm along with other recent hurricanes highlighted the increasing severe weather events that are occurring because of climate change, and scientists only predict stronger and more frequent storms similar to this. Before joining SGC, I may have understood climate change as a broad concept, but this program has helped me to think about these problems more deeply. For example, when we talked about climate models and the science behind extreme weather, I started to see how these storms are connected to climate change. The program also taught me that climate change doesn’t just affect people right now, but it also has long-term impacts on things like ecosystems, buildings, and government policies.
Another significant way in which the SGC program has influenced my academic journey is helping me solidify my decision to pursue a career as a data scientist. Throughout the colloquium, we have seen how important data is for understanding big global issues, especially climate change. The discussions about how scientists collect data, make predictions, and analyze trends sparked my interest in data science because it's a tool that can be applied to almost anything. While climate change is one issue I’m particularly interested in, data science can be used in many different fields to find solutions to problems. The material we’ve covered in the colloquium has given me a strong foundation for understanding not just the science behind climate change, but also how data science can be used to understand and solve complex problems. As I continue my studies, I’m excited to see how data science can be applied to a wide range of issues, including global warming.
In addition to the SGC colloquium, I have taken two other courses that have supported my academic development and interest in climate change, and specifically using data science for global change. Firstly, I have taken Information Statistics (statistics using R Code). This course helped me learn how to analyze data, and perform statistical tests like t-test or ANOVA tests using R code. This helps to support my interest in data science by giving me the tools to work with real-world data, but it also is a crucial aspect of studying global change. For example, being able to analyze climate data or look at patterns in the environment using statistics is really important for understanding and solving global problems like climate change. The things I learned in this class, like hypothesis testing and how to interpret data, have helped me get better at thinking scientifically. This ties in with what I’ve learned in the SGC program about using data to make decisions and understand the effects of global change. In addition to Information Statistics, I have also taken another course titled, Design Across Campus. One of the key takeaways from this course was learning how different disciplines like engineering, architecture, and policy tackle issues like sustainability for global climate change. This approach of using ideas from different fields to solve problems fits with the SGC program's focus on thinking across different subjects. In this course, we looked at how design can be used to solve real-world problems, which made me interested in how data science and design can work together to tackle global issues.
My learning experience in this program has been enhanced by interacting with my fellow SGC students, both in and out of class. Through discussions with classmates who share my interest in climate change, I’ve been able to deepen my understanding of global issues and explore different perspectives on the topic. I found it particularly helpful when talking to my fellow students who are Computer Science majors, as our field has a lot of similarities. As a data science major, I could connect with them on topics like coding and data analysis, which helped me learn new techniques and approaches for working with data. We often shared ideas on how technology can solve problems like climate change, and being a part of this living-learning community has allowed me to exchange ideas and learn from my peers in ways that I couldn’t have imagined.
I believe that I have contributed to the SGC program by staying active in different academic and community activities as best I could. I have attended almost every colloquium, with the exceptions of sick days, which allowed me to participate in the weekly discussions and interact with classmates. I also went on the Washington, D.C. trips for the excursion and the scavenger hunt where I got to interact with my fellow scholars outside of the classroom. Unfortunately, while I wanted to, I was unable to attend the New York trip because I was away, but I made sure to take part in the activities that I could. I even enjoyed being involved in the “Visions for the Future” project, where I shared ideas and discussed climate change with the classmates in my group. While I wish I was able to have done more trips with this program, my participation helped me to build connections with the other scholar students.
Being in the SGC program has definitely helped me understand climate change more deeply, although it didn’t necessarily change any of my beliefs. Before joining the program, I had already believed in the importance of addressing climate change, but through the courses and discussion in SGC, my understanding has become more informed. I’ve learned a lot more about climate change, including the scientific data, climate models, and how it impacts the real world. My understanding has really grown, and I now have a much clearer idea of how complex and urgent the issue is. This has helped me realize just how important it is to take action on climate change. Also, while my core belief in the need for action on climate change didn’t change, being in the program encouraged me to think critically about solutions that can contribute to addressing global challenges.
My experience in the Science and Global Change program has definitely helped shape how I view my future. As I continue my studies in data science for my undergraduate degree, I will draw on the skill I have developed through this program, especially critical thinking and understanding of complex global issues. I plan on graduating early, and continuing a graduate degree in data science, while interning at my upcoming internship at Booz Allen. I will carry with me the ability to think critically and apply my knowledge to real-world problems. I am particularly excited to combine my interest in data science with my passion for climate change to help find solutions in my future career. Although I cannot fully predict how these experiences will impact me long-term, I know that this program has provided me with a strong foundation for whatever comes next.