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Student Spotlight: Lydia Martin

Would you please tell us about yourself? (Where you’re from, how you chose to attend Auburn, and how you chose your emphases within the Interdisciplinary Studies major?)

Hi! I'm Lydia Martin from Birmingham, Alabama, and I was adopted at 13 months old from China. I am a senior here, where my emphases within Interdisciplinary Studies focus on Public Relations, Business and Psychology. I chose these emphases because my goal is to use my degree to work in a diversity and inclusion role for a large company. Being Chinese but raised in a predominantly white family, I have a unique perspective on D&I. I would love to help companies identify their need be more inclusive in hiring and in growing their customer base.

What has your experience as a student at Auburn been like? (What activities are you involved in/with? And why/how did you choose them?) 

As a transfer student, my time at Auburn has only been two years, but I love my school! From football games to study groups to spending time with friends, Auburn quickly became my home!

What has been your favorite class so far and why?

I have really enjoyed being in both of my Interdisciplinary Studies classes because I get to connect with Professor Sexton. She spends so much time getting to know her students and creates a genuine relationship with them. She cares about her students and will help them to achieve their goals throughout their time here at Auburn.

What do you want to do when you graduate from Auburn?

After graduating from Auburn, I would like to use my degree in a career in diversity and inclusion. I would love to work for a company to ensure that their hiring practices provide the best employees from all areas and that they are building a customer that meets the needs of as many people as possible. I really enjoy building genuine relationships with people, so that I can make sure their needs are being met in ways that they can benefit from the most.

Do you think your education and experiences in Interdisciplinary Studies have prepared you for success? (If so, how?) 

Interdisciplinary Studies has helped me expand my educational knowledge and critical thinking skills. It has allowed me to understand how to integrate multiple disciplines into one to solve real-world problems. My knowledge has grown in multiple fields providing me unique ways to build my future career.

Is there any advice/wisdom you’d like to share with new students?

To all new students, make sure that you focus on your studies and managing your time wisely with all of your classes. College is a time for fun and to build relationships but learning time management and responsibility are equally as important. This will help you succeed and excel in school and future endeavors in your life.

What is your favorite thing about IDSC?

I really enjoy getting to study different disciplines within IDSC because it gives me the opportunity to expand my knowledge and will provide me opportunities to be successful after college. IDSC gave me the opportunity create a unique path for myself where I am able to focus on things that interest me the most.

Tags: Interdisciplinary Programs Interdisciplinary Studies