A few years ago, Jessica Hamilton thought she was not the best role model she could be for her young daughter.
"I was settling in life," said Hamilton, who earned a physics degree from the University of North Georgia (UNG) in May 2020. "I wasn't making ends meet, and that was not OK. I wanted to inspire my daughter and show her that she could be all she wants to be."
With her selection in February 2019 for an internship at a prestigious German research institute, the UNG graduate served as an example for her 4-year-old daughter and all non-traditional students and single mothers as to what can be accomplished through hard work and persistence.
Hamilton was one of 300 international students to earn the DAAD Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) scholarship from more than 1,900 who applied. Hamilton interned at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Göttingen, Germany.
"I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and saw the email saying 'Congratulations,'" she said. "I thought 'Oh my God. I actually got it.'"
She said her work in the classroom and undergraduate research project with Dr. Gregory Feiden finally paid off. He agreed.
"Competition for this internship is fierce, and Jessica is most deserving. This award is the culmination of her sustained, dedicated effort over the past two years," said Feiden, assistant professor of astronomy in the physics department at UNG. "This is a pivotal moment for her career. I'm excited to see where she goes from here."
Hamilton's career in physics started when she decided to return to school in fall 2016. The decision precipitated from a chance meeting during a vacation to Dahlonega, where Hamilton now lives. She met a single mother who was pursuing a nursing degree at UNG.
"She helped open my eyes to see it was possible," Hamilton said. "Then I learned about the physics program at UNG, and everything started to fall into place."
After enrolling, she connected with several physics professors including Feiden. She also met Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president of research and engagement, who oversees the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. Both encouraged and guided Hamilton into the research realm at UNG.
Feiden said Hamilton worked tirelessly on two astrophysics research projects, designed and conducted experiments, and developed skills necessary to be a successful astrophysicist. The projects provided her opportunities to present at conferences and network with experts in her field, which gave her an edge on the competition for the summer internship.
Hamilton said the internship experience expanded her physics knowledge, increased her connections to experts and helped plot her future.
"I have an experience at a research-level institute that is well-known in my field," she said. "That will be my key into graduate schools."
Hamilton was also an S-STEM Scholar, which provides annual stipends to students in the program and funds to support their research. Funded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Scholarship in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) project, the program aims to increase the STEM workforce by recruiting and supporting academically talented, low-income students through degree completion, and partnering with employers to facilitate job placement.
Hamilton credited UNG with helping her reach that goal.
"My professors are very excited and willing to help and support me," she said. "It's like I have my very own cheerleading team."
