Rica S French   Physics

Rica S French's Advice:  If someone tells me that something "can't be done", "it's too hard", "not women's work", etc., I see that as a challenge, not a roadblock. The fact that I'm female has nothing to do with anything. I'm good at what I do and I'm going to attempt whatever I want. If I want to try something, I will. If I'm not any good at it, then so what? If I *am* good at it, then it doesn't matter why or what other people say. Just do it.

Q: How did you choose your major(s)?

A: I was always pretty good in math and science, but I didn't really choose it - it was an accident. I'd actually thought about it before, but is was fleeting (physics is "too hard" right?). I was taking some physics courses as a refresher before I transferred to antoher school. While in his class, Dr. Robert Carlton saw something in me (that I hadn't realized was there) and asked to meet with me and a couple more of the physics faculty about what I was doing in school and my plans, etc. (I tease them by telling them that they "kidnapped" me, interrogated me, and made me do physics.) By the end of that week, I'd officially changed my major to physics, cancelled my enrollment at the other school, and decided to stay put. It was a welcome change and I immediately knew I'd made the right choice, found my place.

Q: What aspects of your college program(s) did you like?

A: The small student:teacher ratio allowed for much personal attention and interaction, both in coursework and research. For me personally, that made all the difference.

Q: What aspects of your college program(s) didn't you like?

A: The monetary constraints the department was (is) forced to work under hindered the progress of many aspects of the program, particularly in salaries (retaining good faculty), new hires, and equipment.

Q: What aspects of your job do you enjoy most?

A: I enjoy interacting with undergraduates in the courses I teach. But I enjoy sharing my work with anyone who will listen. To convey my excitement and fascination witht he world around us and how it works (or how we're trying to learn about it) is one thing. But to have them "get it" and realize that they have become enthused aobut it as well is a very unique and rewarding experience.

Q: What aspects of you job don't you enjoy?

A: The fact that politics and money rule both education and research, not the learning experience or the quest for knowledge.