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Student Profiles

Many students who are considering co-op like to talk with students who have "been there," because they provide a first-hand perspective on co-op. The Science Career and International Education Office staff are happy to put prospective students in touch with past co-op participants, and we've also included comments here from recent co-op participants.

Matthew Wendahl

DAAD, German Exchange Program, Summer/Fall 2006/2007

Chemistry
I chose chemistry at PSU simply because it was my favorite class in high school.  I had an amazing high school chemistry teacher – I liked chemistry so much the first year I took it that I decided to take chemistry 2 as well, and after that I was sold.  I am one of the few at PSU that hasn't changed his major since the application to Penn State.  While at PSU, I tried to get into research here, but it always fizzled because I usually had large course loads and plenty ...
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Jared Wolfe

Microbac Laboratories, Inc., Summer 2006
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Spring/Summer 2007

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
When I enrolled at Penn State my first semester, I entered as a biochemistry and molecular biology major. This choice was not the product of some long thought out and debated decision on my part but was more something that sounded kind of interesting, when I was filling out my application and so I decided to check it as my number one choice. Coming in, I knew that I had an interest in science, but outside the fact that my major dealt with science I really didn't understand much of what biochemistry ...
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KC Rogers

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Summer/Fall 2005
McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Spring/Summer 2007

Biotechnology
Arriving at Penn State as a freshman, I knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in science. Always having an interest in biology and chemistry, I intended on majoring in biochemistry. When I learned about the newly offered Biotechnology major offering co-op credits built into the curriculum, the option of leaving Penn State to acquire such hands on working experience seemed more beneficial to the well-rounded science ...
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Emily MacPhail

Bristol-Myers Squibb, Spring/Summer 2006

Science BS/MBA
I began my college career at Penn State somewhat reluctantly in August 2004, unsure if I really had made the right choice. After spending 12 years in relatively small Catholic schools, I didn't know how I was going to find my place at such a large university. I was fortunate enough to have been admitted to the Science BS/MBA Program - a multi-disciplinary joint-degree program offered through cooperation between the Eberly College of Science and the Smeal College of Business. In this elite 5 year program ...
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Jeremy Forster

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., Summer 2005 and Spring/Summer 2007

Physics
I knew when I applied to PSU that I wanted to be a physics major. However, I had no idea what I was going to do with it. So to keep my options open, I stopped by the co-op table at the Eberly College of Science Open House in the spring. The team gave me lots of information and helped me decide that I absolutely wanted to do a co-op. My main motivation was to try as many things as possible to see what I like or don't like ...
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Michael Kearse

McNeil Consumer and Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Summer/Fall 2005
GlaxoSmithKline, Spring/Summer 2007

Biotechnology
I first met Cindye and Susan when they visited Penn State Berks during my freshman year for the co-op information session. The session allowed me to get a feel for what the program entails, as well as learning how participating in this program can help me with my educational goal, to attend ...
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Julie Costantino

U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Spring/Summer 2006
DAAD - German Exchange Program, Summer 2007

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
I knew that I wanted to be a research scientist since I was in grade school. My mother is a scientist and on the weekends when I was younger she would take me into her lab and I would help with the experiments. When I was in high school I had the chance to work in a lab ...
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Jennifer Miller

NIH, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Spring/Summer 2007

Science, Life Science option
I began my Penn State career fully intending to earn a degree in Secondary Education Social Studies; however, I had decided to move into the life sciences by my second year. After my first biology class, I came to realize that I was passionate ...
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Daniel Spade

Penn State University, Summer 2006
Walt Disney World , Spring/Summer 2007

Biology
I began my co-op experience not knowing exactly what I wanted to get out of the program, but I ultimately gained a variety of truly valuable experiences. As a biology major in the ecology option, my primary interests after college are in ecology research, but I have had a difficult time narrowing down my interests more specifically...
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James Tsou-Wong

Minnesota Studies for International Development through Penn State Eduation Abroad,
Fall 2005/Spring 2006
Dinosaur National Monument, Summer 2007

Science
When I came to Penn State, I knew that I wanted to study abroad in Africa in the field of conservation and ecology...
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Jolene Mariotti

BodyMedia, Summer 2005
McNeil Consumer and Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Spring/Summer 2006

Biology
As a graduating senior, heading to medical school, I am able to look back at the past four years and reflect on the courses I've taken, the activities I've chosen, and the experiences I've had. When I do this, I find many of the memories that pop into my head involve co-op in some...
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Please visit the Student Profile Archive page to read profiles of Co-op Alumni.