There are a lot of different careers in STEM, such as scientists, biologists, chemists, engineers, astrophysicists, and doctors, but they all have one thing in common: they’ve worked hard to get where they are now. Extensive education, long hours, and many headache-inducing tests and evaluations. Many start thinking about and planning out their career in STEM early on. 

Ashley Illescas (‘24) has been thinking about a career in research for a while now. 

“I want to be a Biochemical Researcher,” Illescas said. “If I could decide what I want to research, it would be steroids and how they affect the human body on a molecular level.” 

To achieve her dream, Illescas will have to start a long educational journey. 

“In biochemistry, if you want to get anywhere you have to have a PhD. I’ve applied to San Francisco State, Cal Poly, and Sacramento State,” Illescas said. “[The major I chose was] Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The reason why I liked [those universities] is because, in those cities, they have specifically good job opportunities for biochemistry, lab technicians, and MD assistants.” 

Illescas wants to live in San Francisco where there are a lot of job opportunities in biochemical research. 

Skye Fernsler (‘24) has ideas for a career in environmental science and engineering.

“I think I want to do something with helping the environment, so either working for a nonprofit, like the Environmental Protection Agency, or environmental engineering, or teaching at a university,” Fernsler said. “An idea of mine was to work with developing solar panels and energy storage because there’s a lot of new companies like that that are starting. I think solar technology is a really important thing that will be innovating in the future. So it’d be cool to be a part of that. I’m still not entirely sure [what I want to

do], but I think I’m going to get a lot of ideas in college.”

Fernsler is planning on going to university and has applied to multiple UCs, CSUs, and even private California schools. 

“I’m definitely planning on getting a masters. I might get a PhD too,” Fernsler said. “[The majors I chose were] Environmental and Mechanical engineering. UC San Diego is a good university because they have a great mechanical engineering major. [I also applied to] Stanford and UC Berkeley. Pitzer has a really good environmental program. I’m definitely looking into schools that have a lot of good environmental opportunities.

Fernsler wants to stay on the West Coast after her studies. 

Sherry Andrawes (‘24) has always had an interest in science and mathematics. She is interested in furthering her interests during her extended education and career. 

“I’m interested in the medical and dental field. I want a career that helps others,” Andrawes said. “Right now, I’m leaning more towards the dental field.”

There are steps necessary to take in order to start a career in the dental field. 

“For dental school, you have to get a bachelor’s degree, complete the DAT exam, then graduate from dental school,” Andrawes said. 

Andrawes has applied to several UCs and CSUs, but she has one university that she wants to go to more than anything.

“My top choice in university is Cal Poly. I want to live at home,” Andrawes said. “The major that I chose for my applications was Biological Sciences.”

Andrawes wants to continue living in California after college to be close to her family. 

Sophia Purvis (‘24) has a plan to start a career in engineering. 

“I want to become a Civil or Structural Engineer,” Purvis said. “Both are fairly broad but are basically designing and constructing pretty much any man-made structure. A lot of Civil Engineers are focused on roads, bridges, dams, and drainage systems, while Structural Engineers focus more on the structural elements of buildings.”

Purvis is planning on continuing her education to start her career in engineering. 

“I plan to get a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters degree in Structural Engineering. I want to work for Architecture firms in the meantime to get some experience,” Purvis said. “I am going to Colorado School of Mines, but I applied to a few UC’s, CSU’s, and out-of-state schools. I applied as a Civil Engineering major.” 

Purvis enjoys Colorado and wants to continue living there after finishing her education.

“I’m planning to stay in Colorado after college because it’s where I was born and I really love it there,” Purvis said. 

These women have big futures ahead of them, and if they put in the hard work and dedication, they’re bound to end up with the rewarding careers they hope to have.