With 130+ academic programs, small classes sizes, and affordable tuition, there’s nowhere better than Parkland College to begin your great future. Still unsure about your next steps? Read the stories below from alumni and see Parkland College set them on the course to a great future. Want to learn more? Click the button below the story to see their video interviews.
Karla Martinez, Process Development Scientist
Since high school, Karla Martinez knew she enjoyed studying the sciences. However, she wasn’t quite sure what STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) career she wanted to pursue.
“Parkland College gave me the chance to explore a wide range of courses, from physics and calculus to forensic science and eventually helped me discover my love for chemistry,” she says. “Many of the professors at Parkland really nurtured my curiosity in the sciences which then led me to complete my bachelor's degree in chemistry at UIUC.”
Growing up in Urbana, the now-Decatur native always had a good impression of Parkland since she was a teenager. Many of her relatives like her mother, uncle, 5 cousins and 2 nieces also took Parkland courses, ranging from business to computer science.
“It's almost a family tradition at this point,” she says.
Martinez participated in a summer program on Parkland’s campus too.
When the time came to choose which college to attend, she notes Parkland offered the opportunity to explore different careers “without the pressure of a four-year program.” Attending Parkland made the perfect choice.
“I really wanted to make the most out of my time at Parkland and so I joined as many clubs as I could,” she says. “Since the clubs were small and flexible, it was easier to balance them with my classes and a part-time job, which was especially helpful for staying an active student.”
Martinez served as President of the Parkland Science Club (PSC) and Vice President of the Honors Program Leadership Team and Alpha Phi Omega (APO), a co-ed service fraternity. PSC organized guest speakers in various STEM fields, as well as fun science activities and talks, which allowed students to learn and explore different career paths in the sciences.
“This experience really helped me improve my communication and administrative skills,” she says. “In APO, we facilitated mentoring and volunteer programs, giving me the opportunity to develop as a mentor while supporting new students and the community.”
After college, she began working for Aerotek, a company contracted with Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) in Decatur. She soon joined ADM full-time and has been there ever
since, exploring different chemistries from corn milling to crystallization, chromatography and other separation technologies.
“Working at ADM's research facility means my day to day can vary significantly, from running experiments to learning new technologies,” she says. “As a process development scientist, I'm part of a team that provides plant support and develops new technologies or products the company is exploring. Research can sometimes be fast paced and often requires adapting on the fly. However, that also means there are many opportunities to learn more and continue growing as a scientist.”
Parkland College continues to be a special place for Martinez, where she says many memories and friendships were formed. She’s grateful to still be in touch with these friends and professors like Britt Carlson and Keiko Kircher.
“Parkland gave me the opportunity to explore my interests without the concern of finishing on a schedule,” she says. “It also gave me the resources to interact easily with my professors, other students and the community. I was able to create so many fond memories of my time at Parkland while also growing as a person, mentor and scientist.”
For anyone looking to attend Parkland, Martinez advises: “Whether you are a senior in high school or seeking a new direction in life, career paths can feel overwhelming. It's tough to know what you want to do, and there is a lot of pressure to choose the ‘right’ path. Parkland offers all the resources to explore different fields of interest while providing the opportunity to get involved in clubs and find a supportive community.”