Jalen Johnson
Inspired by the possibilities of space travel, first-year student and Stamps Scholar Jalen Johnson hopes to use his physics degree to help shape the future of aerospace engineering.
Interview by Zohra Basmadjian
Tell me about yourself.
I am a first-year student majoring in physics. While attending Georgia State, I will also dual-enroll at Georgia Tech to complete my additional degree requirements. I enjoy playing with electronics and fixing them up. I’ve recently started using eBay to bid on and upgrade old computers.
How did you get to Georgia State?
I had already considered applying to GSU, but my interest sparked when I attended a college fair. I met an admissions officer at the fair and after showing him my test scores, he recommended I apply for the Stamps Scholarship and the Honors College. I originally didn’t think much about it until I did more research on it. Eventually, I applied and got the scholarship, which I am very thankful for. I am going to make the most of it and make sure not one dollar is wasted.
Why did you choose to major in physics?
When I took Advanced Placement (AP) physics in high school, I liked my teacher and the concepts in the course. After taking the class, I realized that physics is something I’d enjoy studying. A lot of people don’t like it because it’s difficult, but I think the difficulty is the fun part. It’s always a challenge. It keeps you on your toes.
What do you hope to accomplish with your major?
I want to go into electrical or space engineering where I build spaceships and satellites for astronauts. I hope to work for companies or agencies like NASA. I like some of the projects they’re doing. I think the technology they’re building for space travel is cool.
Who inspires you the most?
Malcolm X. I love his mentality, the way he fought for his people and his method of going through life — stay strong, remain still in what you believe in and have a strong foundation in everything you do. And make sure that you’re always putting in 100-percent effort, no matter the activity, because you never know where it can lead you in life.
What impact do you hope to leave?
I want to expand educational opportunities for underrepresented groups and for people living in poverty. This way, they can access opportunities to build a better future for themselves, regardless of their background or circumstances.
What are your future goals?
My short-term goals would be to develop more skills and understanding of the fundamentals of electronics so that it can help me in the future jobs and careers I take on.
My long-term goals are to be successful in the endeavors that I take on but also to make sure I build foundations for my future family and my community — to give back to them just as much as they gave to me. For example, build a program that allows children to gain access to learning materials or even share my knowledge with others.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
The best advice that I follow is “closed mouths don’t get fed.” That relates to the aspects of life. If you don’t advocate for yourself or your wants or needs, then it’s unlikely that those will be met.
