2017 W&M Graduation Series: Joshua Zimmt
Joshua Zimmt ’17 is one of several William & Mary seniors who will be featured in a scholarships series on our blog, The Gale, leading up to Commencement.
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.
Major: Geology and paleobiology
What type of impact do you want to make on the world and how do you plan to do it?
My hope is that the research I do will help to influence modern policy, climate change and conservation, by helping to better understand the history of both life and the planet itself.
What are your plans for the future, or in your career?
After graduating from William & Mary, I will continue my education by enrolling in the Integrative Biology graduate program at University California Berkeley to pursue my Ph.D.
What skills have you gained while attending W&M, and/or, how has William & Mary prepared you for the future?
William & Mary has given me an unparalleled experience in research, from creating my own senior thesis project to presenting at national conferences. Not only have these experiences helped to expand my network, but they have given me first-hand experience in research labs at William & Mary and around the country.
Looking back, what is the best thing you will take with you from your experience at William & Mary? (A favorite memory or tradition, times with your closest friends, your favorite professors, or life lessons, etc.)
My favorite memory from college was the 2017 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship — not only was it the last time I got to compete with the varsity swim team at William & Mary, but it was also at this meet that I was accepted to University California Berkeley and got to run into the stands to tell my dad in person.
How did scholarships impact your William & Mary experience?
The scholarships I have received at William & Mary have given me experiences that I never thought would be possible as an undergraduate — from traveling to Australia to traveling to Stanford for an interview, scholarships have made my experience at William & Mary all the more amazing.
How has a scholarship changed your trajectory in life? Would you have come to W&M without a scholarship?
One of the reasons I attended William & Mary was because of the research opportunities available to undergraduates. The scholarships I received have given me invaluable opportunities, that allowed me to learn both in the laboratory and the classroom and grow and develop as an academic. Additionally, the projects I have worked on have put me in contact with other researchers and greatly enhanced my ability to successfully apply and interview at top graduate programs around the country.