Samantha is currently working on a
project extracting campaign contribution data from the Federal
Election Commission. She is using the data to construct a
database of political donations for a set of corporate
executives to see if interlocking directorates are associated
with campaign contributions
How did you get involved in research?
I got involved in research first with Dr. [Kenneth] Litwin and then after my first
semester as being a supplementary instruction (SI) leader.
How has participating in research impacted your education?
Participating in this research process has helped me gain a fresh perspective
when it comes to my education. As I listen to how society has changed over time
and how it affects individuals, I have come to think about who exactly is
involved and about the power dynamics surrounding society.
What has been the most satisfying aspect of your research experience?
The most satisfying aspect to my research experience so far has been seeing the
connections individuals have.
What are your future plans? How has participating in research helped you in
preparing for those future plans?
My future plans are to attend law school and eventually become a prosecuting
attorney. Participating in this research will help me to see connections between
people and to understand the research process more completely.
What advice would you give to students interested in being involved in
research?
Start early. Participating in research early will
help you get a better grasp on things during your junior and senior year. Also,
don't limit yourself to one topic area. You'd be amazed at how different
disciplines can intersect with one another. There are always new and interesting
connections that can be made in doing research.
