Student Experience: Finding My Calling as a Physics Major

When Oganes Khatchikian ’20 began pursuing a physics major and computer science minor at Azusa Pacific University, he entered a world of numbers and formulas. Data-driven information, mathematical techniques, and scientific methods became a part of his regular routine.

What Khatchikian didn’t expect was the personal relationships he built as a physics major. Strong mentorships with his professors helped him develop the skills and resilience needed within the field. “The way they’ve molded me is helping me in my research,” he said, crediting his academic success to their dedicated teaching.

Khatchikian experienced intimate class sizes at APU that fostered an environment for asking questions and connecting with professors who invested in his well-being. “Research is hard sometimes. You’re struggling and you can’t get it,” Khatchikian explained. But through the support of faculty members who encouraged him to dig deeper, he has become passionate about his physics major and his research.

With vigor and excitement for what lies ahead, Khatchikian is preparing for the next step in his career journey: a fellowship at the California Institute of Technology. This achievement will allow him to pursue his research further and establish a strong foundation and valuable competitiveness within the job market.

Khatchikian considers his APU professors a key factor in this exciting accomplishment: “It was truly a blessing that I was here at APU to have such great professors to help mold me for the future,” he expressed. “I couldn’t ask for more.”

Posted: March 6, 2020