Laura Castro
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Major/Department:
Chemistry and Sociology
Research project or internship/co-op experience:
Apprentice Chemistry Teacher for the Aspire Program at Hathaway Brown School
Extracurricular interests:
The Observer, Editor-in-Chief; Student Media Board, Chair; Newman Catholic Student Association; Student Executive Council; Mentor at The Intergenerational School; Women in Science and Engineering Roundtable (WISER)
Hometown:
Avondale, Arizona
Biography:
I’m a first-generation college student and extremely close with my family, so leaving home to go to school was a huge step for me. My experiences at Case have made that move completely worthwhile. While at Case I’ve made the greatest friends I could ask for, explored my faith, and found new possibilities for the future.
Overall, I would say that my experiences on the newspaper have been the greatest influences in my life. Not only has it been an incredible learning and leadership building experience, it has created a myriad of different career options for me.
Why did you choose to attend Case?:
I visited Case over a scholarship weekend and absolutely fell in love with the campus and people. I’d never lived outside of Arizona, and Case was my opportunity to branch out and become more independent. It’s also the small, cozy fit that I needed; I could never imagine going to a state university with over 20 thousand students.
What do you like best about Case?:
I love the diversity of the people on campus. No matter what you’re studying, there are so many groups on campus that help bridge the disciplines. You can be an engineer in a musical theatre troupe or a science major that runs a newspaper and it isn’t the least bit strange. All Case students have their quirks, and that’s exactly what makes this place so great.
What's it like to live in Cleveland?:
The theater district is always alive with great shows, the orchestra is phenomenal, and Coventry and Little Italy have great food options – whatever your personality you can definitely find your niche. I would really consider living in this area in the future.
What has been your biggest challenge as a student at Case?:
Overall, learning time management has been my largest challenge. There are only so many hours in the day, and school work, the newspaper, and other duties seem to fill most of them. Case students – for the most part – take on a lot of different responsibilities, so it can be taxing at times. As a college student, you also realize how much you took some things for granted, like sleeping 8 hours a day or eating a real meal on a regular basis.
What do you do for fun on the weekends?:
Most of the time, I use the weekends to relax. Whether it’s just going to a movie at Strosacker, going to a concert, burning money at the mall, or bumming around the suite with some friends I find a way to unwind before hitting the books.
Describe the best professor you've had at Case. What made him or her special?:
Dr. Brian Gran, from the sociology department, has been a tremendous guide in my time here at Case. After taking one class with him I decided to become a sociology major, and he is now my advisor. Dr. Gran is one of the most encouraging and helpful people that you could ever meet, and he truly cares about his students’ success. He understands the trials of college life and does whatever he can to alleviate each student’s situation.
What do you plan to do after graduation, and how has Case helped you reach that goal?:
Right now I’m exploring a few different options: teaching, professional journalism, or law. At Case, I learned that I can be well rounded and use that to my advantage later in life. Like many others, I came into Case as an engineer, but I learned that it’s OK to change your mind and test the waters before you commit. At this point, with my Case education and my experiences as editor-in-chief of The Observer, I feel like I can take whatever the world has to offer.
