Meet this week’s feature of HU Girls in STEM! Alayjha Forde is a junior, chemistry major from Anaheim, California. We sat down with the chemistry lover and talked about her passion for science and where she plans to go with it!
HC: Why did you choose to be a chemistry major?
AF: I was strong in chemistry in high school. I didn’t really like biology and I’m on the pre-med track. So chemistry it was!
HC: What do you enjoy about Hampton’s Chemistry Department?
AF: Since I’ve started my junior year, everyone that’s in the chemistry program is very close. There are only twelve of us. So we do everything together. We see each other every day! I like that aspect about it.
HC: What’s your dream job?
AF: To become a neonatologist! It’s a doctor who works in the NICU, which is the Newborn Intensive – Care Unit. We work with premature and post mature babies. We try to nurse them back to health.
HC: What’s an average school day like for you?
AF: Monday through Thursday I have an 8 a.m., which is Calculus 2. Then I go to Physics with Calculus. Then, I go to Biochemistry and then Analytical Chemistry. On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I have chemistry labs.
HC: What do you enjoy the most about chemistry?
AF: Since it’s math-based and I’m really good at math, I like that. You can always figure it out. Its straight-forward and there’s always a way to figure everything out.
HC: What’s the most stressful part of about being a chemistry major?
AF: Classes! They’re all demanding classes. So its not like you can just focus on one more than the other because they’re all important. They are all weighed the same. So its very stressful because you have to study for all of them the same way. You just feel like you don’t have enough hours in a day!
HC: When did you realize you had a passion for science?
AF: Since I was little! I knew I was going to be a teacher or a doctor. I knew I wanted to work with children. I decided to be a doctor because I like math and science. Those are the two subjects that make sense. You can always find a solution. Its not really that abstract per se.
HC: Do you see a man of science or a man of business in your future?
AF: I would like a man of science. I would like to marry a doctor so they understand my schedule. A lot of businessmen are done by 5pm. And the hospital doesn’t close!
HC: What are your plans after you receive your chemistry degree?
AF: I plan to go to Howard University’s medical program and get my doctorates. After that I want to work in a hospital, probably back home in California.