Cassandra H.
About Cassandra H.
Hi everyone! My name is Cassandra, but you can call me Cass. I’m a 2nd year Master’s student in the Neuroscience Department. My thesis revolves around tracking the spread of alpha-synuclein in a Parkinson’s Disease (PD) model. I hope to better understand how the protein’s spread correlates to symptom onset and what additional brain regions may be targeted.
I am one of two Career Team Co-Leads here at the SSSC, and I can’t wait to help you through your journey! Whether it be career, academic, or personal goals, we, at the SSSC, will do everything we can to help guide you.
If I were to give some advice to make your journey easier it’s this: learn how to prioritize and pace yourself. From high school to uni, there’s a big gap in workload, especially in the sciences. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and fall behind, so try to get into the habit of scheduling your time. Start early and learn which assignments take more effort than others. It won’t be easy at first. Being able to effectively prioritize your time takes… well, time haha. Something I like to do is use a planner to section out my tasks. And I always—alwaysss-- create reminders on my phone calendar. University gets busy and I’ve definitely forgotten some due dates; and, while you’re adding deadlines, set alarms for breaks. Your health is equally important to your schoolwork after all!
Remember, you don’t have to go this path alone. During my undergrad, I attended a boatload of SSSC workshops which taught me valuable skills I continue to use today. They ranged from how to formulate lab reports, get into research, and study for exams. I also highly recommend attending alumni mixers. Through them, I received useful advice on standing out in the workforce that came in handy during my co-op. Mixers are also a wonderful way in which you can expand your network and learn about a range of professions. Who knows, you may discover your future career!
If you have any questions concerning university life, the job search process, and how to expand your network, or just need someone to chat with, my “door" is always open. I look forward to meeting you through the SSSC!