November 25, 2024
Finding Chemistry to be his favorite STEM course, Ian Skeenes (Hometown: Portsmouth, Ohio) knew he wanted to major in a degree that gave him a versatile career path. Enrolled in the program at Shawnee State University, he has found his connections with his professors and small class sizes to be an important part of his success.
“My favorite part of my program is interacting with the professors and their outgoing and personable nature,” he said. “The smaller class sizes provide a personable space between students and faculty.”
Only entering his sophomore year, Skeenes is looking forward to the memories to come in his program. To others considering majoring in Chemistry, he encourages them to find out what works best for them when it comes to learning and understanding the material.
“Find a studying technique that works for you and stick with it,” he said. “Chemistry encourages understanding and not memorization alone.”
After graduation, Skeenes plans to continue his education in graduate school and then take advantage of the many career paths that his degree can take him.
“Shawnee State has provided a space to find myself as an individual and soon to be resource of the workforce,” he said.
Students in the Chemistry program at SSU can choose to pursue three tracks – General, Industrial, and Pre-Pharmacy. All three offer undergraduate research opportunities and close relationships with the faculty members in small classroom groups. Many students have found success in competitive summer research programs and have gone on to graduate school or pharmacy school. The program also prepares graduates for direct entry into the chemical workforce upon graduation.
To learn more about the Chemistry program at Shawnee State University, visit shawnee.edu/chemistry.