Before attending the conference, I thought of STEM careers as mostly focused on labs, research, and academics. I knew strong science skills were important, but I had not really considered how people centered and interdisciplinary STEM careers can be. Spending the day listening to professionals and connecting with other Scholars gave me a completely new perspective on what a future in STEM can look like.

Attending the Governor’s STEM Scholars STEM in Academia Conference felt like stepping into a room full of possibility, surrounded by researchers, faculty, and professionals whose paths stretched across every corner of STEM.

As a STEM student in 2025, I think it’s safe to say that the biggest tool and threat of today is Artificial Intelligence. Everyday, we learn about new breakthroughs in the use of AI, while simultaneously hearing about jobs being replaced by AI. It’s no wonder many students are anxious about if their job will even exist in the future, and what that means for them now. I, until recently, was one of those students.

True career development can come from stepping into new experiences, embracing uncertainty, and learning from mistakes. Exploring opportunities through school, internships, and unexpected experiences can be just as valuable as a direct path. These experiences can lead you to discover interests and strengths you did not know you had.

On Saturday, December 6, the Governor’s STEM Scholars convened at Princeton University for the annual STEM in Academia Conference, an immersive, full-day introduction to the careers, research, and innovation taking place across New Jersey’s institutions of higher education.

On Wednesday, November 5, 20 Governor’s STEM Scholars visited Panasonic North America’s headquarters in Newark for an immersive look at careers shaping the future of technology.

The Governor’s STEM Scholars has selected 101 outstanding New Jersey high school and college students to join its 2025–2026 class, representing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators advancing the state’s research and development economy.

“Learning doesn’t stop at college. Be curious and have a learning mindset”

Being surrounded by such a group of people further affirmed my own dedication to physics, while allowing me to appreciate how effective governance affects our nation’s research and development sector. It made me realize that in order to truly advance our country’s technological development, her people must work to obtain an innovative mindset that can successfully see a need, and fill a need.