Bass Connections is a departure from my childhood desires. As a kid, I ignorantly yearned for power: the power to stay up as late as I want; the power to decide what I would eat; the power to travel anywhere, any time. But, as Uncle Ben from Spider-Man said, “With great power comes great responsibility,” and it wasn’t until I joined Bass Connections that I realized this.

Bass Connections was my first taste of independent research—and, for once, I wished I had someone in my life to tell me what to do. The power to pursue an end-goal through any means you choose takes a while to grasp. You may underestimate the numerous intricacies of independent research, but once you get used to it, exciting opportunities abound! Accomplishments are especially personal, and even the perception of progress provides great satisfaction. As someone potentially interested in pursuing a career in research, I am extremely appreciative of my Bass Connections experience!