Reflections of a Scholar: STEM Meets Government

To know the road ahead, ask those coming back - Chinese Proverb

Attending the Governor’s STEM Scholars’ STEM in Government Conference was an eye opening experience for me in more ways than one. A quote that specifically stood out for me was “Learning doesn’t stop at college. Be curious and have a learning mindset” from Dr. Nicol Nicola from the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce. This advice resonated with me because I understood that college is not the last place to learn, and to make a meaningful impact, we need to be lifelong learners. There were several other pebbles of wisdom from a  panel conversation on STEM in Government, which included Dr. Nicola, Dr. Lauren Berzak Hopkins of Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Michael Geraghty, NJ’s Chief Information Security Officer and Samuel Joisil of the US Army at Pictactinny Arsenal , like ‘Get a mentor’; ‘It is okay to pivot when the chosen path doesn’t work’; ‘As a leader, your people’s success is your success’; ‘Don’t take no for an answer when you believe’; ‘Have a growth mindset.’  

Connecting with the Scholars

From the very beginning, there was a palpable sense of connection among attendees. I felt every single one of us was driven by a curiosity to learn and contribute. Meeting fellow STEM students from across New Jersey allowed us to engage, ask questions, and inspire one another. The environment highlighted the importance of community in shaping both research and professional aspirations. I arrived knowing no one, but left with new friends and a motivation to explore the countless opportunities ahead.

STEM in Government - A new perspective 

It is tempting to assume that political science and law degrees are the primary paths to government. However, there are multiple STEM paths, such as generating energy from fusion technology or protecting the nation from cyber threats, that are essential for running a strong government. Whether it was Mr. Michael Geraghty, Chief Information Security Officer for the State of New Jersey, speaking about his high-demanding day-to-day activities, or Dr. Laura Hopkins of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, the state’s federal lab, speaking about her unwavering perseverance to generate energy from fusion in the long term, it became very clear to me that we need committed STEM intellect in the government if we want to stay ahead to protect and grow our nation. It was also clear that research requires a lot of patience and we may not always see the fruit of our work immediately. Additionally, federal and state STEM employees and research aren't insulated from funding availability, and there can be headwinds like budget cuts or government shutdowns that impact the life and work of people working for the government. 

STEM at Rutgers and a fun project

Drs. Lydia Prendergast and Lorne Joseph of the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program at Rutgers showcased the amazing opportunities for undergraduate research programs. Information on Douglass Residential College and the unique opportunities such as the SUPER research experience and the Living-Learning Communities were all particularly interesting. We wrapped up with a ‘build a helicopter’ project. As fun as this was, the ‘trial and error’ process to building products also became evident.

Ultimately, I left the conference making new friends and imbued with a newfound appreciation of STEM in government.

Written by Siddhi Omesh, 2026 Scholar Siddhi Omesh is a junior at Biotechnology High School. She has conducted research on the antimicrobial properties of herbs when exposed to common skin bacteria. She participated in Johns Hopkins University’s Global Health Leaders Conference and Columbia University’s IYRC ACComPLISHED program, where she developed a community health intervention to increase health literacy. At school, Siddhi is Director of Student Activities in the Student Government Association. Beyond STEM, she volunteers at her temple’s free medical clinic and CentraState Hospital, has earned a Bronze Presidential Volunteer Service Award, and serves as a Life Rank Boy Scout and Den Chief while working toward Eagle Scout. She also plays piano and is a board member of a student-led chamber orchestra.