Over spring break, Ohio State students embarked on the ASC: Washington, DC – Science, Research, and Education Career Trek, gaining hands-on exposure to a variety of STEM careers. The trip offered students the chance to network with professionals, including Ohio State alumni, while exploring notable sites around the nation’s capital.

Day One: United States Botanic Garden

The trip began with a tour of the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), led by Education Specialist Grace Anderson. Students explored 12 climate-focused rooms and learned about the detailed planning and care that goes into maintaining such a vast collection. One student, Lawrence Hollenbeck, a fourth-year Anthropology major, reflected, “This trip very literally changed the trajectory of my life. Meeting people who love their jobs motivated me to find my own passion.”

Day Two: Library of Congress and Smithsonian Institution

Students toured the historic Library of Congress, where they were surprised to discover the amount of research and science involved in cultural preservation, from material analysis to light spectrometry. “I learned that career advancement isn’t linear—you never know where you’ll end up, but it’ll likely be somewhere you love,” said Virginia Rivera, a third-year Zoology major.

At the Smithsonian Institution, internship coordinators provided guidance on crafting strong applications, and OSU alumnus Mia Cariello shared her career journey at the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, inspiring students with her background in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Day Three: United States Botanic Garden and Patent and Trademark Office

A behind-the-scenes tour of the USBG’s production facility gave students a glimpse of the work that goes into maintaining thousands of plants. Later, they visited the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where they learned about protecting inventions and innovations. The day ended with a Washington, DC Alumni Mixer, where students connected with over 45 OSU alumni. “This trek helped me grow my network and opened my eyes to career opportunities I hadn’t considered,” said Jadzia Forté, a fourth-year Zoology major.

Day Four: NOAA and Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

On the final day, students visited NOAA’s headquarters, where a panel of scientists shared their work on climate adaptation and ocean exploration. At the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, students toured the National Systematics Laboratory and heard from OSU PhD alumnus Marsha Lucas on building a career in science communication.

Overall, the Washington, DC Career Trek gave students unique insights into STEM fields, offering inspiration and a clearer path forward in their career journeys.