Did you ever go somewhere and instantly feel like you belong? 

Maybe a restaurant or a coffee shop whose environment just simply made you feel... home?! Well, that's exactly how I felt during my first visit to Kent State. 

My family called it a hidden gem here in Ohio, and I quickly knew this was the place for me. 

Spirit of competition

One of the reasons Kent State instantly drew me in was the culture.

From the get-go, I felt the camaraderie and winning spirit. I learned about the successful history of the Kent State field hockey program. These were all important attributes I was looking for in a field hockey program. 

As a field hockey player, I love to compete. But more importantly I love to compete with those by my side who share the same excitement for the game and enthusiasm towards winning. 

It's hard to find that feeling just anywhere. Kent State has given me that experience and instantly provided that connection to the school and to my teammates — a big factor in my decision to commit. 

It’s hard to put it into words, but the way I felt when I arrived on campus, and the way my teammates immediately welcomed me on the team, confirmed that I made the right decision. 

Being a Student-Athlete

Signing on with Kent State has been a huge accomplishment for me, and the experience has been incredible from day one. 

While I love being a DI athlete, and everything about field hockey, I am also here to develop myself professionally — another big reason why I chose Kent State.

When I first arrived, I wasn't sure what academic path I wanted to pursue. I loved the fact that Kent State offered a diverse and wide array of majors and degree programs. 

But with so many interesting course offerings, it was difficult to decide. Back when I was a kid, I’d try as many sports as possible, just trying to get a feel for what sparked my interest.

So, when I started at Kent State, I took a similar approach academically. I began taking entrepreneurial-focused classes and then eventually switched over to the marketing program after having taken several interesting marketing courses.

Throughout my coursework, my Kent State professors emphasized the importance of students to seek out real-world experiences to find a career you are passionate about. 

Soon enough, I wanted to experience what a marketing career would be like outside of the classroom. I was very fortunate to receive an offer for a summer marketing internship with one of the top global bio-pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer!  I supported the Hemophilia marketing team within the Rare Disease organization.

The experience was truly amazing, working with so many talented colleagues, learning about the rare blood disorder, Hemophilia, and about the upcoming advancements being developed by Pfizer to continue to improve patients’ lives who suffer from the disorder. 

In addition to the marketing skills I developed while working at Pfizer, I also took to heart one of their core company values — courage. The experience has taught me the importance of having the courage to speak up, and to also be courageous in asking for help when I need it. For me, it is thinking about how I can apply the value of courage every day in my life, in the classroom, and on and off the field. While I don't know what the future holds, this experience has really given me some perspective, and has grown my interest in this industry. Upon graduating, I hope to continue having even more valuable career experiences such as my experience at Pfizer.   

Looking ahead

From conference championships to battling through Covid, my team and I have experienced some highs and lows, but have had the courage to meet the challenges we’ve faced head-on together as a team. 

In my remaining time here at Kent State, I intend to continue to focus on my goals of achieving academic excellence, taking in diverse perspectives, acting courageously, making new friendships, and making an impact where I can on and off the field. 

The magical feeling I experienced when I first stepped on campus continues.  It still feels like home. My hope is that all student-athletes get to experience that same magical feeling. 

Here's to hoping that this feeling never leaves and that my remaining years are as memorable as my previous ones!