Unfiltered: Spring 2023

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Graduation day draws near for the students in “Unfiltered,” a series that chronicles their college experiences by revisiting five simple questions every semester. While polishing capstone projects and pondering career paths, these individuals are still finding time to explore topics such as human rights, the inner workings of lasers, and the art of Latin dance. For one participant who graduated early in December, post-college life has already begun.

Here’s what they have to say this spring:

Ross Relic
Crystal Lake, Ill.

What class are you most excited about right now?

I’m only taking two classes this semester and I’m pretty equally excited about both of them! I’m taking Laboratory Instrumentation (physics) and Conducting (music). Although Laboratory Instrumentation is easier than other physics classes (it’s a 300 level, whereas most physics classes are 400 level), the course content is still full of very useful and interesting stuff, which is really nice. And obviously, it’s been exciting to learn about the process behind conducting and how to bring your interpretation of the music to fruition with other people playing the music, although the workshopping parts are pretty awkward because there’s a lot of conducting in silence while other people watch you!

What’s one recent triumph (large or small!)?

I did it! I completed my capstone paper and presentation for physics (well, I still have to get feedback from my peers on my paper and then make some revisions, but I submitted it for that process)! This was a huge triumph for me. I’ve struggled quite a lot throughout my time here at Macalester, especially with writing, and there were times over the years where I had no idea how I’d be able to complete my capstone paper, or even find a project/research to do. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to complete college because of this. But I really did it! Partially because of my own effort and growth over these four years, but in no small part due to the huge amount of support I received from my girlfriend and parents, and I’m forever grateful for that.

What have you learned lately?

Due to my capstone project, I have now learned a lot more about lasers and optics (especially nonlinear optics) than I ever expected to know, including how a laser actually works, which was amazing to find out.

What do you wish you would’ve known six months ago?

I wish I knew that I should stop trying to work at my apartment! I initially denied this fact, but I cannot do homework at my apartment or else I will always do something else instead. Sometimes, I’m quite resistant to going somewhere else to work. I’d rather just stay in the comfort of my own home, but it’s important to do it anyway. It can be difficult to get myself to do homework in other locations too, but it at least becomes a lot more possible and significantly less distracting/more stimulating.

What’s one thing you want to do in the next six months?

Get an internship or job over the summer! I really hope that I am able to do that…

Hannah Scharrer

Tacoma, Wash.

What class are you most excited about right now?

I’m in my senior capstone in International Studies and my capstone project is slowly coming together! I’m excited to dig into the writing process soon and to hear what all my classmates have been working hard on!

What’s one recent triumph (large or small!)?

I wrote the first page of my capstone!

What have you learned lately?

I recently attended a conference on human rights in Chicago. It was eye-opening to get to hear from all of the speakers and learn more about human rights as well as explore a new city!

What do you wish you would’ve known six months ago?

I know it’s cliché, but how fast senior spring would fly by! I cannot believe I am two months away from being done with college!

What’s one thing you want to do in the next six months?

I want to graduate and get a job!

Carter Rutherford
Alexandria, Va., and Santiago, Chile

*Rutherford completed his studies and graduated a semester early, in December 2022.

What are you up to now?

I currently live in Minneapolis and work at a Montessori elementary school in Saint Paul. I wanted to explore a job in education and figure out my next steps.

What’s one recent triumph (large or small!)?

I was recently awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Taiwan. I’ll be moving there in August!

What have you learned lately?

While I’ve always enjoyed dancing, I recently joined several social dance groups. I have learned quite a bit of Latin dance (salsa and cumbia) as well as contra dance.

What do you wish you would’ve known six months ago?

Life after college is a lot more relaxed. I’ve had to be very intentional about how I spend my money and time, but I really enjoy the pace I’ve set for myself.

What’s one thing you want to do in the next six months?

I’m considering traveling from Miami, Florida to Montreal, Quebec by train and stopping along the way to visit family and friends along the East Coast.