Maria Molina, a junior studying data science, doesn’t have a set goal after graduation but is enjoying the opportunity to explore different fields while at Purdue. She is one of the first students accepted into the Lilly Scholars at Purdue program, which offers scholarships to students who are pursuing degrees related to the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Last spring, she served as an intern at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, and next summer she will serve as a procurement intern for American Airlines in Dallas.

Outside of class, Molina serves as president of the Computer Science Undergraduate Student Board. The board serves as a bridge between the department and the student body, holds student forums, has mentorship programs, and teaches classes to help students transition successfully from high school to Purdue. In her role, Molina oversees incoming first-year students. She also serves as director of recruitment for the Delta Gamma sorority. Her experience includes serving as a host for Old Masters, an admissions ambassador and a teaching assistant for the Office of Professional Practice.

To create an impact, Molina says she has pushed herself to step out of her comfort zone. Taking things one step at a time has helped keep her from feeling self-doubt and being intimidated by new experiences. She advises that students should believe in themselves and realize that they are capable of making an impact.

Molina also encourages students to work on their communication skills. She recalls that she had to develop her communication skills quickly as an admissions ambassador, a role that requires her to regularly speak in front of a crowd for an hour and a half. She suggests that anyone who wishes to improve their communication skills should intentionally seek out situations that make them uncomfortable. She says interviews can also help with practice and improvement.

A key piece of advice from her father helped Molina learn how to manage adversity. During her first year on campus, she struggled with her calculus midterm and was disappointed in herself. Her father advised her that “every failure is a lesson,” and “the path to success is not as sweet if you haven’t failed along the way.” She says this advice helped her realize that one setback would not destroy her life, and that failure is a necessary part of life. 

To take care of well-being, Molina advises that identifying one’s purpose and staying focused on it is crucial. She says her greatest joy comes from helping others better themselves and working toward a common goal. To accomplish this, Molina tries to overload herself with positivity by looking for inspirational quotes on Pinterest and carrying that positivity into everything she does.

If you want to add Molina to your network, connect with her on LinkedIn.