Kathy Alison Gomez
Name Kathy Alison Gomez
Age: 23
Major: Physics Education, 8th-12th Grades
Hometown: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Why UTRGV?
I chose UTRGV because it is close to my home and it gave me the opportunity to develop my language skills by taking English language classes before beginning my core classes.
What made you decide on your current major?
Since I was a child I was interested in science and teaching. When I got to UTRGV I found out I could enroll in any Bachelor of Science with a teacher certification. I have always loved physics, so I chose Physics Education, 8th-12th Grades.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I would like to start working as a teacher in Brownsville. I want to stay close to my Mexican roots. Once I get the job as a teacher, I am going to look for opportunities to continue my education. I am planning on pursuing a master’s degree in physics education or any master’s degree program that has to do with education or science.
What are you involved in on and off campus?
On campus, I have been working as a science/math tutor for almost three years at the ASPIRE lab. I am also a participant in ASPIRE. Off campus, I was accepted and participated in doing undergraduate research on physics education in summer 2014 at Kansas State University. It was a great experience. I liked it so much that in fall 2014, I worked with physics faculty member Dr. Karen Martirosyan on a nanoscience project, and in spring 2015, I worked with Dr. Volker Quetschke, also a physics faculty member, on a small project with lasers.
What is your biggest accomplishment to date?
I think my biggest accomplishment has been my selection to participate in the Undergraduate Research Program at Kansas State University. This is not only true because I was selected, but because it allowed me to meet new people and develop my social skills. I have always been so attached to my hometown, and felt afraid of meeting new people and places. After this experience, I realized that meeting people and traveling to new places opens doors to new opportunities, in this case for me it was graduate school and maybe for future employment.
What advice do you have for future students?
My advice to future students is to never give up. Problems are everywhere and college is not an exception. I am a physics major and a student. I know by experience that every problem has a solution not only for math problems, but for life (college) problems too.