A STEP in the Right Direction: Esha Sharma
We sat down with Esha Sharma, a Biochemistry and Plant Biosciences major involved in the Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP). STEP is designed to focus on student success, development and allows students the opportunity to engage in activities that cater to their individual interests and needs. Through interaction with faculty, students will be able to develop tools for life and build essential network connections.
Esha gave us insights into her experiences at Ohio State and in STEP:
What are you involved in on campus?
I am an undergraduate researcher over on Ag Campus working with grapes. I also work at Scott Traditions as a Student Cook Lead and am in the process of becoming a Student Manager. I act as the treasurer for our board gaming club, Board to Death, which meets weekly to play games and also hosts large mega-games twice a semester. After this summer, I became involved in supporting the Student Farm.
How did you get involved in STEP?
I discovered this opportunity through my advisors as a way to get research experience, which is what I aim to do later in life.
My experience with STEP has been amazing. My STEP cohort advisors Bob Hamlin and Toni Greenslade-Smith were incredibly helpful and guided me through the process. We talked about our life goals, personal values and how to approach our projects. But alongside that, we also went out as a group for ice cream and dinner. It was an overall great experience.
What was your STEP project?
My STEP project focused on a polyculture system with corn and squash up on the Student Farm, which is a four-acre section within Waterman Farm. My goal was to analyze the yield change and nutritional changes between growing the two separately versus together. Due to nutritional complications within the soil as well as human error and weather, it didn’t go exactly as planned. I am currently trying to get the soil tested so the Student Farm can have that information for later growing seasons.
Anything else to add?
I cannot recommend STEP enough to anyone who wants to experience something new. It helps push people to find different opportunities they may be interested in even if it doesn’t relate to their major or career goals. Even making the connection of a STEP advisor was amazing, so just the experience of getting to know more people around campus was invaluable.
You can learn more about STEP by attending the annual STEP Expo. Join us on November 20 starting at 10:30 a.m. in the Archie Griffin Grand Ballroom in the Ohio Union.
