Brianna Olalekan is taking advantage of her time at UL Lafayette to pursue her interests in physics and computer science.
Brianna came to UL Lafayette to major in physics after discovering her love for the subject in high school. As a self-described СAPPoverthinker,СAPP physics has given her a way to see order in the chaos.
СAPPI wonder a lot and I need to know why something is the way it is,СAPP she said.
Being a student in the Department of Physics at UL Lafayette has given Brianna access to research, classes, and mentors that she never expected.
СAPPWithout coming here, I wouldnСAPPt know the things I can do with my major or can do with my knowledge,СAPP she said. СAPPNow, I see you can work for the government, work in brain surgery, work in engineering СAPP everything comes together. You see where physics fits everywhere.СAPP
СAPPEven with me being indecisive, physics is so broad," she added. "And everyone wants to work with a physics major.СAPP
Opportunities for Physics Majors
Brianna began to appreciate the connection between physics and computer science in her classes at UL Lafayette.
СAPPI started to understand the engineering of it, when youСAPPre trying to get the computer to do something,СAPP she said. СAPPI never thought I could do that, so learning how the circuits connect, I felt like I was actually able to do something groundbreaking.СAPP
СAPPIСAPPm happy to see everything IСAPPm learning coming together.СAPP
Outside of class, she joined the, to get more experience. ItСAPPs a student organization that builds and launches small satellites in partnership with NASA.
СAPPI like the technology that weСAPPre moving toward, with everything being more electronic and robotic,СAPP she said. СAPPWhy not at least know where the future is heading?СAPP
Finding a Community on Campus
Moving to Lafayette has been a refreshing change of pace for Brianna after growing up in Baton Rouge.
СAPPI love the atmosphere here,СAPP she said. СAPPItСAPPs peaceful. I just really like Lafayette and how nice people are.СAPP
Though sheСAPPs away from her family, she found close friends in student organizations like the .
СAPPItСAPPs helped me get more connected with my culture,СAPP she said. СAPPHaving my family is one thing, but I didnСAPPt get to have many African friends to experience stuff with. So IСAPPve been meeting different people on campus who come here from across the world.СAPP
That welcoming vibe is also strong in the Department of Physics, which has made BriannaСAPPs experience at UL Lafayette even better.
СAPPWhen you tell someone youСAPPre a physics major, theyСAPPre scared and think youСAPPre crazy and donСAPPt really know why youСAPPd want to do that to yourself,СAPP she said. СAPPBut a lot of the people and the professors are nice, they donСAPPt mind helping, and theyСAPPre always friendly.
СAPPWeСAPPre all nerds, but weСAPPre nice nerds,СAPP she said. СAPPAnd when youСAPPre nice and inviting, it helps other people come in and learn more, too.СAPP
