Hometown: Springfield, GA 

Degree program: Third-year double-major in History, Technology, and Society (HTS) and Public Policy  

Favorite class: The most interesting class I’ve taken here at Tech was "Religion and Cults in the US" with Dr. Larry Foster. I’ve always been interested in the history of religion and being taught by an expert like Dr. Foster was such a treat. Honorable mention to European Intellectual History by Dr. Douglas Flamming that I took online Summer 2020!  

Favorite professor: I’ve loved all my professors in HTS, but I have a special place in my heart for Dr. Amy D’Unger. She was the first person in HTS I met when I was a prospective student in high school, and she has helped me with countless scheduling conflicts, aspirations, applications etcetera. I am so grateful for everything she does for the HTS Community! 

Clubs: President of the Historical and Sociological Society at Georgia Tech, Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Marching Band, Georgia Tech Tour Guides

Internships: Undergraduate Researcher in the Research on Careers and Sciences Lab in the School of Public Policy, Legislative Aide in the Georgia General Assembly House Leadership Office 2021 Legislative Session, and Program Evaluation at the Georgia BioEd Institute, Rural Teacher Initiative Program  

1. Why did you choose Georgia Tech? 

Coming into college, I knew I wanted to study liberal arts. As I learned more about Georgia Tech, I realized that coming here would allow me to pursue my passions while also developing important STEM skills that are crucial given the shift towards technology occurring across all disciplines.  

2. Who or what inspired you to study history, technology, and society?  

I’ve always had a massive appetite for history, and when I first came to Georgia Tech, I planned to study history through a Ph.D. to become a professor. The idea of doing historical and archival research was captivating to me. As I’ve gone through my undergraduate experience here at Tech, I’ve realized my passion for public policy. I still love history, but I now plan to utilize my education in HTS and PubP to pursue further education in law.  

3. What's the coolest research, project, or event you've worked on here? 

My coolest Georgia Tech experience occurred during my State Capitol internship. I worked for the Majority Whip of the House. On Crossover day, which is the deadline for a bill to pass out of its house of origin, the Majority Whip’s policy analyst, who was basically his right-hand man, had to have an emergency root canal. I got to help write a Whip report that day and run around on the floor on the second most busy day of the session. It was such an awesome experience! 

4. What was the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Georgia Tech, and how did you overcome it? 

The biggest challenge I have faced at Georgia Tech was learning to prioritize. When I first came to college, I was so excited to try every single club and experience at Tech. It was great as a first-year to meet so many people and try new things, but it was not sustainable for me to be involved in so many activities. Over the course of my time here, I have grown to focus on the activities I really love and feel like will make a difference. 

5. What is your proudest achievement from your time at Georgia Tech so far? 

Well, aside from my State Capitol internship, which was an amazing experience, I recently created my first website for my research lab! I never thought web design would be something I learned through my liberal arts degree, but I’m so glad I got to develop that skill, and I had a lot of fun doing it! 

6. What's the biggest change you see in yourself now from when you arrived? 

Confidence! 

7. What's your #1 piece of advice for incoming students in the School of History and Sociology? 

Make friends in HTS with your peers and with professors! The easiest way to begin a personal relationship with your professors is by attending office hours. Having friends in your degree is fun, and it has been so helpful to me to learn about jobs and experiences from my peers. These connections can be crucial when it comes time to apply to internships and research positions.  

Thank you for sharing your experience, Katie! Stay tuned on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for new student spotlights every month.