SSP students and alumni pursue all sorts of education and career paths. However, we'd like you to meet some of our recent alumni looking to make an impact in the world of science and technology. The National Science Foundation reports that about a quarter of jobs in the US are in STEM-related fields. While these jobs offer a higher median salary and more stability than many other jobs, the workforce does not reflect the diversity of our population. Only a third are women, while racial minorities are underrepresented an often in lower-paying roles. After graduating high school, these three SSP alumni are pursuing higher degrees in STEM-related fields that promise them bright and successful futures!
JOSHUA
Mount St. Michael Academy, SSP Class of 2022
Columbia University
Hello! My name is Joshua Brown, and I'm currently a freshman at Columbia University. I'm studying both Computer Science and Sustainable development because I've always been interested in how Science and technology can be more sustainable for our environment. During my time in high school, I finally had the opportunity to explore Science with the help and support of SSP. They connected me with professionals who shared their experiences and gave me personal insight into the scientific field. Thanks to SSP, I saw how Science could combine my passions for computers, environmental sustainability, and medicine. After attending various SSP career panels and workshops and having conversations with my SSP mentor and the staff, I was certain that pursuing Science was the perfect path for me. It's a field that connects many parts of the world, and I'm excited to use it to positively impact our world.
CHRISTY
Cathedral High School, SSP Class of 2023
St. Bonaventure University
During my freshman year of high school, I wondered what career path to pursue. It was during my required health class that I became fascinated by the capabilities of the human body and developed a desire to learn more.
In my sophomore year, I decided that I wanted to be a nurse in order to make a difference in people’s lives. Nursing is a profession I view as honorable and aspire to join. To learn more about the field, I joined the Medical Gateways program offered at Cathedral High School.
During my junior year, I was placed in Elmhurst Hospital Center for a clinical experience. This experience allowed me to better understand the hospital setting and different roles within it. It was during this clinical experience that I was drawn to becoming a nurse. Witnessing firsthand how they provided critical care for patients every day was inspiring.
My admiration for nursing as a profession only grew stronger, and after visiting St. Bonaventure University, I knew that it was the college for me and the best choice for my nursing studies. The Dual Degree Nursing Program, which allows me to pursue two degrees, particularly caught my attention. I have no doubt that attending this institution is the greatest choice I could make.
MARIA
St. Joseph High School, SSP Class of 2020
Tufts University, BS Mechanical Engineering
Recipient of SSP’s Peter M. Flanigan Scholarship
I grew up in a household of majority males. I am close in age to my uncles and my cousins (about 10-15 years apart). All my uncles and cousins were into construction and vehicles. In fact, one of my older cousins owned a garage right next to our house.
I wanted to bond with my family, so I would always try to help my uncles and cousins whenever they needed help fixing something. I remember my uncle used to ask me to press on the brakes and gas pedals while he tried to find whatever issue the car had. I would see my cousin transform a beaten-up car into a brand-new masterpiece. These moments are what brew my passion for cars and for creation.
I want to be able to design and manufacture cars, learn how to fix them, how to operate them, and how to make them better. My college experience thus far has only intensified my passion for engineering. I have built toy monster trucks from scratch, built an electrical spin-the-bottle game from scratch, as well as design and make my own printed circuit boards. I have learned about autonomous cars and the history and advancement of GPS.
I can’t wait to see what else I’ll learn or create, and I’m hopeful for a future in which I get to be creative and build real, working machines. I can’t wait to be part of the team which finally creates a fully autonomous car!
