For an example of a college experience that seamlessly melds formal education with real-life experience, one only has to meet Nina Diklich. A highly motivated junior, Diklich is a chemistry major with biology and mathematics minors. In her short time at Aquinas, she has gained experience through internships and opportunities through the American Chemical Society (ACS). Diklich does not turn down a challenge and with the influence of her professors at Aquinas and her college experiences, she is forging a unique career path.

Knowing that she would enter the chemistry field before medical school, Diklich chose Aquinas after her positive experience at the Spectrum Scholarship Competition. “When I met everyone that day,” she said, “everyone was so nice even though it was a competition. I was expecting everyone to be cutthroat, not talking to one another, but everyone was so kind and so welcoming.” This friendly atmosphere and the impact of individuals’ kindness drew her to Aquinas.

On campus, Diklich has found a niche for herself in the HOPE House LLC and in a leadership position in the Insignis Honors Program. She is also a member of the Honors Review Board with Insignis, giving her a chance to work closely with professors. She is a member of AED, the pre-med society on campus. Diklich has been greatly impacted by the professors she has worked with both in class and out. As role models, she holds up Dr. Jensen in the Chemistry department, Dr. Hess, in both Biology and Insignis, and Dr. DeRose of the Insignis program. These professors are “great examples of women who are respected in their field and who have gone far,” Diklich said.

Medical school is in Diklich’s future as she pursues a career in pediatrics. Working with babies and children as a pediatrician has a unique appeal to her, not only because she loves kids. “I want to do something where I can build relationships with people over time,” she said. Working with babies and their families as they grow up would give her a special chance to establish genuine and positive relationships. As far as what school she would like to attend after Aquinas, Diklich is not picky: “anywhere I can get in,” she said. Her plan, however, is to apply to a large pool of schools in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois - her home state.

Diklich has spent her summers working as an intern with a global company called AptarGroup, Inc., the world’s leading provider of dispensing solutions - meaning pumps, sprays, and aerosols. Her internship involved her working in the research department of the company’s beauty and home sector. AptarGroup guaranteed her five years of work and in her sophomore year, Diklich took a semester off to spend as an intern with the company. With her astute planning, taking AP courses in high school and community college courses, she still plans to graduate in 2016. Diklich gained valuable experience in this internship which helped her to “see what chemistry can do in the real world.”

On October 8, 2014, Diklish embarked on the first part of her latest chemistry opportunity. She flew to Washington D.C. for training at the ACS headquarters before meeting with representatives in the Department if State and Department of Energy on Capitol Hill to discuss climate change. One of eight students chosen across the United States, she stood as a voice for her generation. In December, she will travel to Lima, Peru to attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 20th Conference of Parties. Diklich will attend as an accredited UN observer. The purpose of the conference is to educate the public, often using avenues such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. As part of her role, Diklich has become a blogger - a new experience for her.

With a whirlwind of experiences under her belt and increasing every day, Diklich offers some simple advice to other students: “just do something.” You never know what will open the door to an internship or networking. “You are qualified, you just have to jump in and try.”