S-STEM Scholar Valeria Bernal's Blog

Professional identity refers to the beliefs and values you share with other professionals in your field of interest. I think that it is what brings you close to other connections within the same branch because of the similar interests one may have. I think that professional identity sometimes begins to shape when you start working in your field of interest and can actually see how important it is to develop your professional identity. For instance, my major is Biology and my main focus is animals. I did not really shape my professional identity until I started working as a technician. I realized how much impact the knowledge, ability, and skills I can provide to the job can have in a vulnerable community like stray animals. I think professional identity in STEM is necessary to provide the best of us.  Something I remember from Dakota's presentation is that making connections sometimes can be scary. But, it is okay because the worst thing that can happen is that the person you are t...

When I was about to transfer to ASU, I felt very nervous. I like to think of it as "good stress" but part of that stress was also negative stress. I was excited to attend a big university and have the opportunity to be part of a scholarship. On the other hand, I was nervous because I was already used to GCC's campus and amenities. I was used to the friends I made at GCC and overall the student experience. To me, change can be overwhelming sometimes.  Just to think that I had to figure out where everything was and where to go for tutoring or student services was definitely one of the things that stressed me out the most. I also remember being scared of my car being towed. Not because I didn't have a parking pass but because I was constantly thinking "what if I didn't park in the right parking lot?"  However, my girlfriend, Bibiana was someone that helped me overcome this anxiety of being a transfer student because she was already going to ASU. She showed ...