RTDM: Catherine Opalka
Catherine Opalka
Graduate Student Assistant - PhD Aspirant
Lawrence, KS
We want to get to know you! Briefly tell us about yourself: Where you came from, where you've been and how you're living your dream?
I was raised as an army brat so I lived in Texas, Florida and Germany, but most of my life was spent in North Carolina. I spent a lot of time as a kid wondering about nature and earth science so it felt natural to grow up to become an earth scientist. After figuring out that I wanted to study and teach geology for a living during my undergraduate years, I have been working through graduate school, obtaining my Master of Science degree in June 2018. After some patience (and a lot of applications) I was admitted to the Geology PhD program at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
How do you define success?
Success has multiple meanings, but for me it means loving what you're doing. That doesn't necessarily need to be your career, but if at the end of the day you feel generally satisfied with yourself, you are successful.
What did it take to make your dream happen and when did you know you had arrived?
Geology was not my first degree choice in college, it was actually meteorology, which required a lot of math and physics work. I took a couple of geology courses as electives because they sounded interesting and I felt I had a much better grasp of the subject. After 5 years, I finished both my geology and meteorology degrees and found out that I was accepted to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Not only did I get to learn more about my favorite subject, geomorphology - the study of earth's surface features and their relation to earth processes - and teach some courses, but I also met my future husband, Spencer. My time at UNC Charlotte definitely led me to the belief that I am on the right pathway in life.
What are you most proud of? Go ahead, boast a little!
Honestly finishing my master's was a huge accomplishment. My advisor helped me stay on track, but in the end I did a majority of the background research, field work, lab work and writing (these took approximately a semester's worth of time each, including summer). The end result? Seventy-four pages of a soil geomorphology based thesis that exists because I had a question.
What was your biggest obstacle/fear and what was your turning point?
I struggled a lot in undergrad with the coursework and my GPA took a significant hit for a while. I was terrified I wouldn't make it into graduate school. Without that though, I never would have taken the geology classes that redirected my life. I added the geology major and my grades went up. My geology undergraduate advisor pointed me to my master's advisor, who in turn introduced me to my current PhD advisor.
What’s the best advice you’d give to a younger you?
Don't be afraid to try new things and to go out and explore the world. Discovery is what drives the heart of a scientist.
How do you stay motivated and purposeful when you feel overwhelmed?
If I am overwhelmed by a certain project or set of things I need to get done, I do some healthy procrastinating. Usually I will get up and take a walk outdoors, play a game, play with my cat, or just generally find a way to distract myself for a little bit. I can refocus later, and a lot of times I come up with better ideas while I'm relaxing than if I just stare at my problems.
What is your favorite vice/guilty pleasure/strange habit? Come on now, we all have them!
Anyone who knows me well knows I collect rocks. I have a lot of them - purchased, gifted, and self collected. They were fun to move from NC to KS.
What's the smartest investment you’ve made for yourself?
The smartest investment I've made for myself is the time I've spent in school. I know after 7 years most folks feel pretty burnt out, but I am enjoying each new chapter of my education. I know it will be important to me in the future.
What’s MOST important to you right now?
My supportive family and friends (and cat) are the most important things to me. I only get one time around to enjoy that love and support.
What have you learned to say no to?
I stopped letting myself agree to things so I don't hurt people's feelings. Saying no won't offend people (mostly). Sometimes the healthier thing is to have a little personal time where you choose what you'd like to do, be it watch Netflix, take a nap, or organize something you've been wanting to.
What's something most people would never guess about you?
I'm actually a really good weather forecaster. I won a trophy in a national competition for it once.
Who is a Risk Taker Dream Maker that's inspired you?
My master's advisor, Dr. Martha C. Eppes, is an inspiration to me. Not only is she a successful researcher in what is predominately still a man's field, but she also has a great family.
Follow Catherine:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceopalka/
