Matthew Dong
| Q1 What are you doing now? |
| I'm currently an undergraduate in the University of Pennsylvania's Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology pursuing a dual degree in Finance and Computer Science. |
| Q2 How did the Science Fair change your life? |
| Science fairs offer students to explore their unorthodox solutions to some of society's greatest problems. We’re pushed to explore beyond the walls of the classroom and able to realize our efforts with tangible results. In particular, my experience at SEFMD and ISEF taught me that ideas in isolation haven’t reached their full worth — their value comes from how they’re communicated to and received by others. By allowing students to present their work and explain their project, science fairs act as training grounds for not only future professors and researchers but also influential entrepreneurs and policymakers. |
| Q3 What did you like the most about the Science Fair? |
| 'd say that the judging process was the most nerve wracking, yet rewarding part of the science fair. Being judged by experts in academia and industry was tough as they asked difficult technical questions concerning my project, but it was also a chance to show off and display a project I've spent months working on. There's no other feeling comparable to claiming expertise over your work and establishing its value in the field. Also, in talking to so many people, I gained several new perspectives regarding applications of science and more specific technical details. |
| Q4 What career advice do you wish someone told you when you were younger? Career advise you wish to share? |
| In middle and high school, I wish someone told me earlier to be open to new opportunities and experiences that seem interesting. It's alright to try stuff out and not like it, but it also could be a passion that drives your academic and career goals. |
| Q5 Any specific advice on becoming involved in Science and Engineering? |
| There's a ton of research opportunities available out there! Go cold email lots of professors and if all else fails you can independently conduct research too. Getting involved in STEM might seem scary too, but struggling is a natural and necessary step of the learning process. I'd often temporarily give up because a problem was too difficult, whether it was math or physics or even debugging code, but the satisfaction you get when you come back and solve it is immensely rewarding and worth it in the long run. For me, conducting research has taught me to think analytically and always question if things could be improved upon, and while the process isn't always fun, you'll have learned and grown because of it. |
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