LIBRARY STUDENT WORKER PROFILE – BRIDGET FORSTER Whether it’s work, study or play, Bridget Forster loves what she does at FGCU. A 2020 graduate of the Exercise Science program, she’s working on her doctoral degree in physical therapy and expects to graduate in 2023. The hands-on aspect of the program appeals to her, as does the small cohort and the low teacher-to-student ratio. Besides the joy she finds in her studies, Forster’s also passionate about her job at the library. She has worked in the library as a Circulation Assistant for three years and plans to continue doing so through graduate school. “I love everything about the library,” Forster says. “I absolutely love all my co-workers and bosses. It’s an environment where we welcome everyone and we also have fun. Our supervisors always encourage us to ask questions.”
has been a mentor throughout undergraduate and graduate school. “So far we have written two publications together and we are working on three more,” Forster says. “He’s helped me build my self-confidence not only in life but also in my studies. He’s inspired me to be a mentor. Most importantly, he wants students to succeed.” Forster chose physical therapy because it gives practitioners the opportunity to watch people do things that they thought they never would be able to do again. “It’s so rewarding helping people reach their goals.” Her ultimate goal is to be a physical therapist in a newborn intensive care unit. After graduation, with her Ph.D. she plans to continue her studies doing a fellowship or residency program in Orlando or Tampa.
Forster came to FGCU from Boca Raton, where her family lives, moving there from Lebanon, Pennsylvania. She received Forster shares a few tips about library help financing her education through resources: “I always recommend scholarships including the Theodore Interlibrary Loan (ILL) to people. Using Siegel Exercise Science Scholarship, a ILL has saved me hundreds of dollars tennis scholarship, an FGCU President’s on textbooks,” Forster says. “We also offer calculators, cameras, headphones Silver Scholarship and Florida Bright and laptops (and more things) for check Futures. out.” In August 2021, Bridget will marry Kevin Tran and they’ll honeymoon in California. Everyone has a favorite professor and A big congratulations to Bridget and Forster’s favorite is Associate Professor Kevin! Peter Reuter, in the Department of Rehabilitation Services. Dr. Reuter 6
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