James Loy 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast by the hosts and guests may or may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Miami University.

Student 

I'm a senior.

Student 

I'm about to graduate, and I've done a lot of cool things in college.

Student 

I never thought that I was going to be an intramural curler. I never thought that I was going to be the student body president.

Student 

These four years have been the biggest amount of growth I've seen in my entire life.

Student 

It's not just about the academics, but like, what kind of person you turn into, which is super cool.

Michaela 

I would say college started to feel like home this year, because I have a home, and that is such a game changer for me. I mean, being in the dorms, like you do feel, I don't know, it's a very fun time. I think it's like, good for the age you're at, and like, you're able to, I don't know, make so many friends because you're with so many people, but moving into a house, it's me and 8 girls, so it's just a fun time. And like, we have, it feels like my home, like we'll invite all of our friends over, and we just had a bonfire the other night, or, like, just random stuff. And like, also the bad stuff too, like cleaning up the kitchen, or, like, and we're, like, having pancakes at our house today for like, all the girls to come. So it's, like, so much fun because you can do like, the home things, yeah, because you're in a house. So I would say that's definitely like bittersweet going into my senior year, but being in a house is such a game changer.

Maggie 

Yeah, for real, you want to talk about game changers. You're going to have a game changer coming up on your senior year, because in the studio with me today, we have the new host of Major Insight.

Michaela 

It's true.

Maggie 

So my first question is, who are you?

Michaela 

Okay, I am Michaela Buck. I am a double major in political science and journalism with a minor in social justice, and I am the new host of Major Insight. It's just so crazy, and I'm following in Maggie Snee's footsteps, and she's an absolute icon. So, I'm sad to see you go.

Maggie 

I'm sad to go as well. But, I mean, we have this episode, my final time on mic, so I want to get to know all about you. What brought you to the podcast, what you're looking forward to, but I guess we'll start with school. What brought you to the majors that you are currently in was that always your plan? Did it change along the way?

Michaela 

So Political Science was always pretty constant. I had come into college, I took an AP Gov class my junior year, and I was like, Okay, I'm really passionate about this. I would love to pursue this, but it's also a little bit cloudy, because I feel like political science, you don't really have, like, a straight track, and it's not like, you know, accountancy or nursing or something like that, where you know what you're gonna do. And so that was a little bit daunting for me, and for like, my parents, they're like, "What is this?" But they've always supported me, so that's a good thing, but so I did that, and I've loved it. Political Science has been some of the best classes I've ever taken, and the best professors. Journalism, however, was an along the way addition. So when I was abroad, I was in an internship at it's called RTL Today, it's like European media company, and they, like, let me write articles and all the rest and like, publish them. Like it was so cool. I felt like so old. And so I ended up adding Journalism while I was abroad. And so that is kind of an interesting experience too, because I'm adding a major as a junior, so I'm in like, a 101 class right now with like, all these freshmen, which is kind of fun. And like, you going back to the basics, is, like, a very interesting experience. And like, just learning everything from scratch. So yeah, that's super fun. So I would say Political Science, I knew and Journalism was something I got along the way and Social Justice actually came because I took so many social justice courses that I qualified for the minor. So they're like, might as well.

Maggie 

But you mentioned that you added Journalism while you were abroad in--

Michaela 

Luxembourg.

Maggie 

Luxembourg, what was that like? Like, making such a big decision like that while you're on the other side of the world. Like, how did that impact, kind of how you went about school there?

Michaela 

Yeah, Luxembourg and MUDEC in general was absolutely life changing. Like, I that's another thing. I never wanted to go abroad, hence why I paid for my rent when I was gone. But I never wanted to go abroad. And then one of my friends told me, she's like, Michaela, I feel like you would love it. Like, love it, like it's everything that you love, you love to travel, you love food, you love trying new things. I'm like, Okay, I'll apply. And then once we all got accepted, it was me and my roommates, two of them, and I was like, All right, let's do it. So we ended up going, and it was-- MUDEC does such a great job at everything. Like they like, know exactly how to acclimate you to like your surroundings. They know, like, we had like, classes every Friday that would teach you the language and teach you how to, like, assimilate into the culture. Like, just have so many lessons, and MUDEC is amazing. I could go on and on, but so being there, I, like, had finally adjusted, and then deciding to do my major, I'm like, Is this, like, a crazy decision? Like, I want to be nervous, and we had to register for classes, so I'm like, and we were, like, totally in different time zones, so I'm, like, up, at like, three. But I'm like, should I just do it? And so, yeah, I decided to do it. And honestly, like, I'm so glad, because those are some of my favorite classes. So yeah, right now and so. And honestly, I'm very passionate about it. I think, had I decided freshman year would have been the same drive for it, yeah, but I think that's kind of just when inspiration struck. It's very yeah--

Maggie 

Wow. I mean, that is crazy. I cannot imagine, like, I mean, one having to wake up at 3am for registration. That is evil and wrong.

Michaela 

7am is bad enough.

Maggie 

7am is bad enough. If you told me. I needed to be out of bed at my computer at 3am I don't think, I don't think I'd still be here. I think I would have dropped out of college. Honestly. Think I would have dropped out entirely, oh my gosh. Well, to completely segue, we'll, we'll go a little bit more serious. Do you have any regrets from your time in college so far? I mean, obviously, you know you're about to start your senior year. Is there anything that you wish maybe you could go back and change or, you know, maybe do something a little bit differently, and an opportunity you wish you'd taken advantage of?

Michaela 

Yeah, definitely, if I thought more into it, yes, but I have a hard time with regrets, because then I'll just think about them. Yeah, all the time. I'm like, Why did I do that? So I've been trying to one of my-- well, I called them, like, April resolutions -- because spring had sprung and I was like, I'm gonna change my life.

Maggie 

 I'm not changing my life in January we can wait until April.

Michaela 

The cold does not help. So in April, I was like, I want, really want to be more present and time intentional. So that's something I've been trying to do. This doesn't really relate to regrets, but I've just been trying to, like, be more present in the moment. Yes, I always do on the past or think about the future all the time. Like, if I'm not doing something that's going to better me for the future, get me an internship or get me a job, or if I'm like, Oh my gosh, why did I do like, I'm always thinking about one or the other. And so one of my goals was truly to, like, be where my feet are, and understand that, like, these are what's gonna like, yeah, I don't know, propel you for the future. And so I have been trying to be better about that. Regrets, I don't think so I would say, I mean, if anything, it's not taking as many opportunities as I could. Like, probably freshman year, I didn't do as much as I could. We had, like, a tiny friend group of about like eight people, and we were just all together all the time, and, like, it was awesome, and I wouldn't change a thing. But I think academic wise, I could have probably done a little bit more freshman year, because then I got to sophomore year. I'm like, Oh my gosh, I have to lock in.

Maggie 

If anything, my regret is that I haven't yet figured out how to add more hours to the day. That's my one regret, guys, I haven't yet figured out time travel or how to warp the space time continuum, because if I figure out how to do that, we we'd have like 30 a day would be like 35 hours, because it'd be like, yeah, hey, I'll let you guys know we're we're gonna figure it out, and we're gonna get back to you guys.

Michaela 

 Wait, I know. How are you feeling?

Maggie 

It's so weird. It's a very there's a very big part of me that is like, oh my gosh, I'm so ready to be done. I'm so like, I can't wait to start this internship. I can't wait to start my career. Like, I can't, you know, wait for this new chapter of my life. But then at the same time, there's like, an equally big part that's like, I am not ready. I am a small child, like, I'm a kid. Yeah, I'm like, I'm like, I'm 13 years old. Like, what am I doing? Like, I gotta go to middle school again. Like, it's so funny to think back of, like, all those times, like, because I'm the youngest sibling, so I've always been like, the baby of my family, and it's so funny to think back, like, whenever my sisters or my parents be like, You're just a kid. And I was like, you know, like 14, 15, so I was like, a moody teacher, and I'm like, "No, I'm not, like, I'm not a kid, like, I'm a woman. I'm like, I'm basically, I'm basically 20 years old about to graduate college, like, I'm a woman now." And now that I'm 20 years old and about to graduate college, I'm like, Guys, please. You gotta believe me, I am 15 years old, and I'm late for chemistry right now. Like, I got I gotta go. I need to be in Troy High School. I'm supposed, oh God, lunch is nearly over. Like, I need to go.

Michaela 

Isn't that so weird though? I feel like that's a collective feeling like everybody's like "I don't belong in the real world." Time moves so fast, like that's something I've learned in college.

Maggie 

I mean, and that, I think that plays into to, like, you wish that you have the chance to say more, to say yes to more things, but you know, at the end of the day, like, your time in college is finite, and so it really, it forces you, kind of, I think, like you said, to live in the moment and just kind of cherish those, those present feelings and those present, You know, circumstances with your friends or your classmates or your peers, and so when you're on the way out, it's kind of like I want to be a sponge, like I just want to soak up as much as I possibly can before I have to go because, you know, I'm recognizing that I'm graduating. Then, like, I have friends who are graduating. I have friends who are still in school. I have friends who were transferring, or I have friends who are going to be moving out of state for their first job. Like, it's a whole it's so much stuff to keep track of, and so I feel like every day I'm, like, trying to get with one of my friends be like, Oh my gosh. Like, let's do this.

Michaela 

Well, I think it's so interesting, because this is one of those times in life where everyone's kind of at the same point, not personally, but like for the most part, in like, okay everybody's in college. You know, we're all living on our own. We're all kind of don't know what we're doing, but like, once like that date hits, like, everyone's on their own path. And it's so bizarre, because it's like we were all just in this little town together, and now we're all going off to these big cities and like, doing real adult stuff, which is so insane. I'm like, I can't even imagine, like, having a big girl job right now. Scary.

Maggie 

Well, I mean, do you have an idea of what you want your big girl job to be after college? What are you thinking of right now?

Michaela 

I so I was law school for a while. I was like, very lawyer. I'm gonna do it. I kind of switched tracks maybe last year, and I was like, I don't know if this is exactly what I want to do. It's definitely still an option, it's just more so I would probably take a gap year before I considered that. I think it's a huge commitment. And I commend anybody who goes through law school and becomes a lawyer, because I think it's very difficult, but I want to be like, so like, all in, that, like, I can remember why I'm doing it when it's so hard, do you know? So, yeah, I'm like, trying to really consider that, and it's obviously also a lot of money. It's just, like, a big it's a time commitment, it's a financial commitment, it's an emotional commitment.

Maggie 

It's more than just one decision.

Michaela 

Yes, 100% so I've been trying to really think about that, but then the other side. So now that I have journalism, I would love to be a reporter. Like, I think that would be so fun. And I love talking to people and, like, I just love writing, so I feel like the all those passions combined could be like, the perfect job for me. So I'm still, like, kind of deciding, I don't know that's kind of the scariest part.

Maggie 

Scary, but like, perfectly fine. Yeah, you know, there is definitely, there's a really big pressure, even from, like, basically the moment you get to college, it's like, okay, well, you're in college, so what do you want to do? Come on, what are you doing? Come on, four years, time's a ticking. Let's go. What do you want to do? I mean, my plan has probably changed about like, 50 million times from the time I started college. I thought I wanted to be a vet, and then I didn't want to be a vet, and then I thought I wanted to do research, and I didn't want to do research, and then I said, I'm going to be a GIS analyst for the rest of my life, and now I'm going to do animal behavior work in zoos. And it's, it's like, so many things that I'm like, Wow, I'm surprised that I even managed to pick one of them, you know, I managed to make that decision. But, like, I mean, I feel good and secure in the decision that I've made currently and could still change. And that's okay. You know, moving forward, I think it's fine to change course. Doesn't matter when you do it. You know, there's no proper timeline for anything college included. College does not have a timeline.

Michaela 

I agree with that. And I remember, like, even freshman and sophomore year, people don't say this to me anymore, but they would be like, you have so much time. You have so much time. And I'd be like, I know. I'm like, do I though? Like, do I? And they're like, Michaela, you're 20 years old. Like, you are 20 years old, you're going to be totally fine. I'm like, that is so reassuring. So yeah, anytime I'm talking to a freshman or sophomore, even a junior, I'm like, you have so much time, because it makes you feel like, way better. I feel like, and you feel a little bit smaller, which is a good thing in that context. You're like, okay, like, I can do this. I have time I can make a decision, because it's very daunting. Like, yeah, it is in to have, like, so many options. You're like, I don't know what route to choose. So I would say that is something about college that you switch your mind all the time, and that's perfectly fine, yeah. Okay, wait, so what are you doing post grad?

Maggie 

Me, what you want to talk about me? I'm going to be at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden as an animal excellence research intern, which is a fancy way of saying animal behavior. So I am super duper excited. I originally found out that I got the internship, like, mid March, which is pretty early for, like, summer internship season, especially for one that was as competitive as this one was. I was like, sobbing on my bed when I got it. So I was like, I can't believe I got it, but it was so wild to figure that out at that point in the semester, because then, like, I was on spring break, being like, I have an internship, and then I came back, I was like, I have an internship. And I like, it's kind of always been in the back of my head since I found out, and now it's like starting to feel real, like I'm coordinating with the intern house manager of like, when I'm gonna move in, and there's so many balls of the air right now, I should be a circus performer with the juggling act that I'm balancing.

Michaela 

Well that's so exciting. I'm glad it's kind of like a dream come true, I feel like.

Maggie 

It really, it really is, like, I again, like, really didn't know that animal behavior was what I wanted to do until last semester, and that's when I really got into it. And I was like, wow. Like, that's like, a career option. Like, I can actually do that. And then I, I don't want to say I applied to Cincinnati on a whim, but I was kind of just like looking around. I was like, zoos near me, animal behavior, job, internship experience, you know, like, whatever. And I found the one at the Cincinnati Zoo, and the application was due in like, a couple weeks from when I found it. And I was like, Okay, it's time to lock in, it is time to lock in. Last semester, and so I, like, did my cover letter, and I fine tuned my resume, like, FaceTiming my mom and dad, because my dad's an editor, so he's my go to. I'm no longer his daughter when he looks at something I've written, like he is the editor of the Washington Post, and like, I'm some ratty little intern that's writing a paper. And I'm like, is it good? He's like, I hate this. I hate this. I don't like that. Cut that out. You need to put a comma there. That should be a semi colon, not a period.

Michaela 

Did you like it? Because that was the question.

Maggie 

I like it. Do you think I'll get a job with this? But no, it's, it's all out of love. I know it's, I know he wants, he wants what's best for me. So he's, he's not gonna pull his punches, and he's talking about my resume or my cover letters, he's gonna tell me what it is. But like, it is, it's exciting. I talk about like, Oh my gosh. Like, I'm not ready to leave my parents and my friends and like, I can't do this. But the biggest feeling is excitement, like I'm just excited.

Michaela 

You are so ready. Everything that you have lived through and experienced has prepared you for those kinds of moments, and if not, then you'll learn along the way.

Maggie 

I hope so. Geez. Oh my gosh, we've already done some yapping about me, but as we said at the at the beginning of this episode, you are about to be the new host of Major Insight you've been sitting in on recordings these last few weeks. You're-- you're gonna get started this fall. Do you have any questions for me?

Michaela 

I would just say, like, maybe your biggest piece of advice, or, like, what's kind of, I don't know, a secret tip to, like, get through, because I feel like we're both very chatty. But I also think there's a lot of, like, method behind having that position. And so I would just love to know your insight. No pun intended.

Maggie 

 Hey, because I made the same exact joke to Meredith last year, trust and believe. I would say really like, you know, I'm trying to think of how best to word this. I want to sound like philosophical. I want to sound like I want to sound smart. I would say that the biggest thing, truly and it like, it sounds cheesy, is really to just sit there and listen. It happens when you're talking to people, when you're interviewing people, if you think that someone is finished with a thought and they seem like they're done, just kind of sit in that for a second. And usually they will keep on talking and like, go even further and go even deeper into something that you can tell they're really excited about, and that they're really passionate about, and that's just so cool. I've gotten to talk to so many truly, just, like, amazing, smart, funny, accomplished, and just so many amazing people by doing this. And it is so much fun. As much as I love to talk. It is so much fun to just, like, sit here and listen to what they have to say, and, like, talk about how they've gotten to where they are, and, like, where they're going next. And so I really just, like, I love just sitting here and listening, like, that's honestly one of my favorite parts of the job, is just sitting here and getting to listen to people talk. Because, you know, like, how often do you think those people are really asked about stuff like this? Like, that's why this podcast is so cool and so unique. Is that? How often do you think I don't know, Kyle Ginsberg had been asked to talk about his law school application process. And like, how good it probably felt to talk about, like, yeah, it's hard, but it's like, it's so rewarding, you know? And like, here's all the stuff that I've done, and here's what I get to do. Or like, Deborah and I getting to talk about both being RAs. There are so many cool topics of conversation that come out of this podcast that you wouldn't get to have otherwise. So just enjoy the conversation. Enjoy the ride. It's so much fun.

Michaela 

I think that's so special, because you meet so many different people. And like, I feel like sometimes I get stuck around the same kind of person. Obviously, everyone's unique, but just kind of the same circle, and sort of like, be able to, like, expand that and talk to people who have had completely different experiences at Miami than I have. Like, I think is so interesting, even in the ones that I've just listened in on that you've had, yeah, they're so cool. And like, the mental health panels, like, I feel like getting all that out is so interesting, because, like, I love to listen, and I think that meeting all these new people will be such great experience for me. So I'm very excited.

Maggie 

And trust and believe I will be listening. Every time an episode drops, I have my notifications on for Major Insight on Spotify. Come on trust and believe. Those notifications are, in fact, on. But I'm so excited to see what you'll do with this podcast, and I hope that you make it all your own and that it's unique and just fun for you to do, and I'm so excited to see what's next. I cannot wait to keep on listening.

Michaela 

You killed it, and you're the best host ever, and your voice is so aesthetic. Oh my gosh, I got like, a host voice hard to have on Mines. Like, really deep right now, and I'm not loving it so, like, I'm gonna train.

Maggie 

Mine is a different version of my, like, customer service voice, I think of all those years I spent at the customer service desk being like, Thank you for calling the Coles and Troy. This is Maggie. How can I make your day better today? Or whatever our intro was, yeah, like, it's a different version of my customer service. Voice, yeah, yeah, you kind of gotta it comes out natural.

Michaela 

It's nice to listen to. I swear, when I'm like, listening on Spotify, I'm like, she's ASMR.

Maggie 

She must have trained you got you got to convince James on the ASMR episode, we need an ASMR episode.

Michaela 

Start whispering into the microphone.

Maggie 

And so, I guess with that, bye, guys. My ASMR outro, Bye, everybody. Thank you for listening. Are we good? Are we good? Should I stop doing ASMR, do you think?

Michaela 

Thank you? Maggie has to move her car.

Maggie 

Thank you so much.

Maggie 

Michaela buck is a Journalism and Political Science double major at Miami University, where we are also thrilled to welcome her on board as the new host of Major Insight. So please keep listening, because we have so many exciting new plans for the fall. Until next time you can find more stories, advice and inspiration from Major Insight, wherever podcasts are found.