Sarah Forcier: "Don't settle for anything less than your perfect match"

Sarah Forcier

Chemistry & Chemical Biology

Cleveland, OH

What accomplishments/activities are you most proud of while at Cornell?

I went abroad twice to Germany – once for a summer research internship and again to study abroad. Both these times, I am proud of the big leap I took to travel alone to a unknown country and live for a couple months. Every banal, everyday task was new and exciting and changed my outlook on my life. Of course there were some trying times but these only made living abroad more of an accomplishment. I still cannot believe that I actually attended lectures in a different language and traveled to the incredible places I have photographic evidence of.

What Cornell memory do you treasure the most?

One very cold but typical Ithaca night, my friend and I took a detour on the way home from a hockey game to warm our frozen hands. We stopped in Willard Straight Hall and walked into a group of people contra dancing. Having no idea what contra dance was or how to do it, we joined in and learned. It was so spontaneous and fun, and really highlights the plethora of things to do on campus.

What are your plans for next year; where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Next year, I will be pursuing a Masters in Engineering in Computer Graphics and Game Technology at University of Pennsylvania. I hope to enter the animation industry and work for a company in the visual effects departments. I would love to see myself working on the next Toy Story or Lord of the Rings!

If you were to offer advice to an incoming first year student, what would you say?

Do not fret if you do not know what job you want or even what you want to study. I have switched colleges and majors a couple times and even switched my career path my senior year. But even more importantly, pick a field you like and not one that others think you should study or because you don't know what else there is. Explore the many options at Cornell and don't settle for anything less than your perfect match.

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