Cheyenne Polius

Undergraduate student, Department of Physics and Astrophysics.

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I chose to do Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Sheffield because they offer a high proportion of astrophysics compared to other physics degrees.

My course is exactly what I hoped for but I was pleasantly surprised at the range of extra-curricular activities and part-time jobs I could do in my spare time.

The opportunities and resources provided have helped shape me into a confident, well-rounded student with a very diverse skill set.

Right now, I’m on a placement year in the UK Civil Service, which is an opportunity my department allowed me to undertake as an integral part of my degree. Coupling all my experiences with my degree has helped shape my main career goal: to help increase gender and ethnic diversity in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Being a female, ethnic minority in such a unique STEM field has led me to become a role model for youth in my home country, St Lucia.

In addition, it encouraged me to found St Lucia’s first National Astronomy Association where I am using the specialist knowledge from my degree to educate St Lucians about the wonders of space and how space technology can benefit the island and the rest of the Caribbean region.

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