Interview with Rachel Yohn     

The featured student for the Career Services website is Rachel Yohn.  Rachel is 21 years old senior from Fall River, Wis. majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Spanish.  Rachel took the time to sit down with me recently to share her experience in choosing a major and a career path.  I hope you enjoy the interview!

Shawn Johnson-Williams
Director of Career Services

Shawn: So Rachel, how did you go about choosing your major?

Rachel:  My major choice came from a love of science and out of necessity.  I’ve known since I was a child that I wanted to become a veterinarian.  It is the only career I can picture myself doing everyday.

       I was inspired by a quote at the vet clinic where I work that said – “A vet is the greatest doctor of all because his patients can’t tell him/her what is wrong - he just has to know”.   So I needed a major that would help me get into Veterinarian school.  I’ve always liked science courses and biology seemed to fit the bill.

Shawn:  What resources did you use to help you with your decision?

Rachel:   Coming to college I knew what I wanted to do, but I really wanted to make sure I was making the right choice for me.  Career Services help me explore my options and to investigate who I am as a person.  I did some self reflection and realized that I while I liked science; I knew I didn’t want to be working in a lab.  I like being outdoors working with animals and having the chance to socialize with people.  Being a vet would allow me to do these things.

            I did go through a phase in college where I began to question my major and career path.  For one semester I didn’t take any science courses and focused on my other interest of writing.  One of my assignments was to investigate a magazine of my liking.  Through doing this, I was asked to write an article for a horse magazine called “Hoof Beats”.  I am currently writing other articles for this magazine.  Though I decided not to pursue a major in English, I hope eventually I can have a regular column in a horse related magazine.

Shawn:  Tell me about the internship experience you had this summer.

Rachel:  For a time I was considering going to graduate school in a science research field and I felt that I needed to have some advanced research experience in my background.  My internship served a dual purpose, first it allowed me to see if I really like doing long term research and secondly it game me a wealth of great experiences.

I went to Edgewood’s Natural Science Department website and clicked on the link to the National Science Foundation list of internships.  I chose the listing called Research Experience for Undergrads (REU).  REU provides a way for students to gain experience in research at colleges throughout the country.

            I accepted a position in Virginia at James Madison University.  I spent 10 weeks this past summer working with Dr. Kevin Simon, on a project about fresh water ecology.  I designed and carried out the research which I later presented at a research symposium.  My goal is to have my part of the research published which will help me get into Graduate school. 

            This experience solidified my decision to become a veterinarian and not a researcher.   But this experience did help me become more confident in my technical and lab skills.  Also, it was the coolest thing I’ve ever done!  I’ve never just packed up and went somewhere not knowing what to expect – wondering if it will work out or not.

Shawn:  Rachel, what are your future plans for now?

Rachel:  I’m taking the Graduate Record Exams (GRE) this year and applying to Vet schools.  I plan to graduate from Edgewood in 2006 so now is the time to be taking the GRE’s.

            If I don’t get into Vet school right away, I plan on moving to a Spanish speaking country to perfect my Spanish (her minor) and then reapply for vet schools back in the United States.

Shawn:  What advice do you have for other students in the career planning process?

Rachel:   Don’t let fear stop you from doing something that could be great!  Any fear I had about my internship was minute compared to what I got out of it.

            College is the time to invent who you are.  Challenge yourself to think about your values and what kind of person you want to be.  And of course have some fun!

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