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In celebration of International Women’s Week we asked several women on our campus what advice they would give to their former selves or other young girls in the sciences.  Here is what they had to say.

Debbie Mellish

Your path and interests change as you go through school and are exposed to different subjects.  You will probably find that you are really interested in working in a subject that you have not been introduced to yet.  In science there are many different subject areas and just because you do not like one area does not mean that you do not like science.  

For myself I was not introduced to Microbiology till College and found out that I was not only interested in it but also wanted to make it part of my future career.  Be open minded about your education and do not close doors of opportunity too early in your education choices.

Jean Lynds

"I guess the good news is my message to my 12-year-old self, or young girls would be no different than my message to young boys. Agriculture represents an industry that impacts every person on the planet every day!  The opportunities to contribute are endless! Agriculture is so complex and diverse it can offer something for everyone - so once you figure out your areas of interest and skills - there is a place for those skills and knowledge somewhere in the field of agriculture.

Perhaps the most important message is you can do anything you want but you will get the greatest satisfaction in something that challenges you and is something that  you truly believe in - and it's easy to believe in agriculture."

Sarah Stewart-Clarke

"I would tell my 12-year-old self to continue to explore the world around her and to follow her passion. To recognize that the joy she found in exploring the marine environment could actually be her lifelong career. I would tell her to find a mentor in science that she can connect with to help develop her knowledge of biology and help guide her towards opportunities to further increase her experience in science.

I would advise her to continue to try new things, to say yes to opportunities that are available and to not to let anyone else define who she is or determine of what she is capable. Only she is in control of that.

I would also let her know that hard work and determination and respect for others will get her farther than just being intelligent. So don’t get discouraged if she’s not the smartest in every test. Focus on exploring the areas that she enjoys, to be confident to explore areas that are challenging for her and to do her best each day.

I would also tell her to be young, to not worry about the future too much, but to enjoy her youth and have fun. I would tell her to continue to be curious, to continue to ask questions and to have the courage to be herself. She knows herself better than anyone else- so follow her heart and don’t let anyone limit what she dreams to achieve.

I’d also tell her to stop straightening her hair every morning. It is curly and it always will be

Jay Woodworth, a 4^th year student in the Engineering Department.

"At twelve years old, I hadn’t considered that I would someday be working in agriculture as directly as I do now.  At the time, I mistakenly associated the concept of a career in agriculture as being a farmer.  Although that route appeals to me now- I didn’t see myself in it at the time.  The truth is though, almost any occupation imaginable can be linked to agriculture- I wish I had recognized that earlier.  I now find myself working in dairy research which has involved a broad range of industries including engineering, environmental studies and a lot business communications.  As a twelve year old girl, the association of agriculture with heavy machinery and big animals can be intimidating but there is an opportunity for everyone here."