20 years after high school, Stacy started at MassBay Community College. She decided to study science.

The transition to college was hard, especially while managing a family with two very young children.

Stacy joins our podcast to share her undergraduate experiences, UG Research experiences at MassBay Community College and UMass Boston, and winning the Goldwater Scholarship.

In particular, we discuss the following with her:

• Overall Undergraduate Experience
• Going to College after a 20-Year Gap
• Research at MassBay CC and UMass
• The Goldwater Scholarship
• Advice to High Schoolers

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Introduction to Stacy Okada, UMass Boston [0:40]
• Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:45]
• Overall UG Research Experience [4:31]
• High School Interests [5:38]
• The 20-Year Gap [6:39]
• Motivation to Go to College [7:55]
• Transition to MassBay Community College [8:44]
• Introduction to UG Research [9:43]
• Research Impact [12:54]
• Goldwater Scholarship [14:17]
• GW Application [15:59]
• Transition from 2-year to 4-year college [17:12]
• The Classes [18:46]
• Peers & The Age Difference [20:54]
• Research at UMass [22:14]
• MassBay vs UMass [24:07]
• Majoring in Biochemistry [26:38]
• Skills from Research [28:53]
• UG Redo? [30:30]
• More Fulfilling? [33:23]
• Advice for High Schoolers [35:42]
• Memories [37:29]

Our Guests: Stacy Okada graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Stacy received the Associate’s degree in Forensic DNA Science from MassBay Community College. Stacy received the Barry Goldwater Scholarship in 2016.

Memorable Quote: “And I know there are other people out there like me who didn't get it right the first time. And community colleges are just so big on second chances. That's why I love them with my whole heart.” Stacy Okada.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences , UG Research

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