Jamie Cairncross is a physics-electronics major, mathematics minor, as well as the libero on the Winona State volleyball team. When she’s not spending time with her physics lounge friends or judging a 5th-grade science fair, you can find Jamie hiking, working on a new arts and crafts project or traveling while sipping on a cup of joe.
What is a typical busy day in the life of our WSU volleyball team libero and physics-electronics major?
“It depends on the day! Usually, it starts with waking up at 5:15 a.m., and getting ready to go to lifting/practice. Then I go straight to my classes and am either in the physics lounge or working in between classes. I am a lab technician and have an internship. My weeknights consist of catching up on homework and meetings for physics club, research meetings, SAAC, and leadership meetings. If I have a lot of free time at night, I try to stop by and catch up with friends.”
What are some of the projects and activities you have taken part in being involved with physics club?
“Last year the physics club went to visit the far Nova detector which is part of a large project to detect how particles move through the earth. Right now I am working on a research project with two other students. The purpose of this project is to display a digital countdown of the time until the train passes an intersection. We are just finishing up and will be presenting it in these next few months! We have a model with the sensors and a toy train to show the end product on a small scale. I also recently got to travel to South Dakota for a Women in Physics Conference.”
What is your planned graduation date and what do you hope to do with your major in the future?
“I plan to graduate in May of 2017. I truly have no set plan at this point; still debating on if I want to go to grad school or if I want to get a job right away. If I got a job right away, I would love to work on an engineering design team or more along the lines of industrial engineering. If I went to grad school, I would go more towards getting my masters in civil or industrial engineering.”
Is it difficult to balance school and volleyball?
“It was more difficult freshman year because it was all new and volleyball definitely took more time up than I was used to. Now, I think I have better time management skills and am able to do most everything I want to! Also, realizing you can get help from professors or coaches outside of class or practice is very relieving.”
Up to this point in your college career, what do you feel are your proudest moments both on and off the court?
“I am really proud of the research project that my group and I are finishing up. I also recently got an internship with the City of Winona and am currently the president of the physics club. In regards to volleyball, this past season I hit my 1,000 career digs, am on the leadership council and am a presidential scholar athlete.”
What is your advice to an incoming freshman interested in your major?
“YOU CAN DO IT. It is nice to see people get through this major and see that there will be a few hard days, but it’s worth it!”
Talk about taking advantage of every opportunity that comes your way! Jamie is a perfect example that with a mixture of time management, good friends, the desire to learn and a cup of coffee, nothing is impossible! In the words of Jamie “smile like a monkey with a new banana.”