"Emily Sanchez '22 discusses her work as a Latino History Research Assistant in an interview"
Emily Sanchez '22, a history enthusiast at Princeton University, has found joy in analyzing historical materials and patterns. Her passion for history was ignited when she received an email from Associate Professor Rosina Lozano, offering her a research assistant position.
Professor Lozano specializes in Latino history and the study of Latino cities in the U.S. Sanchez's research, under her mentorship, focuses on the relationship between ethnic Mexican communities and indigenous people in the Southwest, specifically from the mid-19th century to the 1970s.
Sanchez's research journey begins by logging onto databases containing Spanish/bilingual newspapers from the Southwest. She uses key terms like "indio" to find newspapers that give insight into this intriguing relationship. Each week, she meticulously plans her research hours, spreading them out across the span of the week to ensure she can manage her academic, extracurricular work, and research effectively.
Sanchez keeps a record of the newspapers she finds on an Excel sheet, looking for any patterns across them. Her diligent work ethic and keen eye for detail have helped her make significant strides in her research.
Sanchez saw the research assistant position as an opportunity to gain more experience in history research and fuel her passion for history. Her research may extend beyond her college years, as she has confirmed her interest in majoring in history.
Students in humanities or social sciences can pursue similar research opportunities. These may include faculty-mentored research projects, funding and grants, participation in research centers, presenting at conferences, and engaging in scholarly initiatives throughout the semester. These provide a platform for hands-on inquiry and scholarly growth within their fields.
Sanchez's research experience has reinforced her passion for history, and she serves as an example of a student effectively handling research in the humanities and social sciences. Her dedication and hard work are inspiring, and her research promises to shed light on an important and often overlooked aspect of American history.
Emily Sanchez's '22 dedication to education-and-self-development is evident as she delves into her history research, which not only involves learning from Spanish/bilingual newspapers but also identifying patterns that uncover untold stories. Sanchez's diligence, fueled by her passion for history, may extend beyond her college years, as she intends to major in history and continue this enlightening learning journey.
