One of the first things you see when you enter PAST Innovation Lab is a warm and welcoming smile from Rubi Martinez, our Minister of Maximization. As PAST’s Administrative & Program Services Assistant, Rubi is always available to lend a helping hand.
Rubi grew up in Columbus and has an interest in law. She enjoys listening to podcasts and reading about different cases. She was introduced to PAST when attending Metro Early College High School. Rubi said, “After applying to the Design Learning Lab located in the PAST Innovation Lab at the time, I participated in a great pathway offering me many experiences to expand my learning.” It was here that she discovered her interest in higher education and STEM.
She is currently a student at The Ohio State University. It is obvious of her many interests and ambition as she is a double major in Economics and Criminology and double minor in Legal Foundations of Society and Political Science. She says, “I like to be everywhere, all the time.” And her friends and family agree, adding that Rubi may just take over the world someday!
Her role as an administrative assistant has, “Given me experiences to further develop my knowledge base. I have been able to get my foot in the door and have made connections not only with the staff and students at PAST but also connecting my various skills to further my learning.”
Rubi shares what she enjoys most about working at PAST and being part of the PAST tribe. “I like that we have had an impact through many different ways at PAST. Everyone wears lots of different hats supporting PAST in many different ways. I enjoy seeing the real impact in real terms.” Rubi adds that her brother is following in her footsteps in the Design Learning Pathway at Metro and is currently part of the Ohio Tech Internship at PAST, mentioning she most enjoys seeing the impact on the students who visit PAST Innovation Lab from “the little kids through the older high school kids.”
Thinking over her time at PAST, “I most enjoy seeing the impact that we make. Everyone at PAST wants to help you succeed whether developing professionally or personally. There are lots of people who have more experience than me and they are happy to help! While we do hard and soft science, I also like seeing the other skills that can be acquired. I really like the variety of work that I am asked to do, from learning research methods and practices to administrative tasks and even 3D printing!” For someone who enjoys being everywhere all the time, Rubi is trying to focus on her future, which at times with all the choices can be overwhelming.
One of Rubi’s favorite projects is her most recent – reviewing the “Teaching through Inquiry Course.” This assignment is a bit different for her as she moves from the role of a student to the role of a teacher. “The majority of my experiences thus far has been as a student receiving content. Now, I have the opportunity to view the content through the eyes of an instructor. In my role at PAST, I have acted as a mentor. Now, I will have the new experience of gaining a deeper understanding of Inquiry-Based Learning and PAST Principles by providing feedback from a dual mindset.”
Rubi shares the background about her meta title which is the Minister of Maximization. “I try to get the best out of every situation and like finding different ways to do things. I am good at multitasking and time-management, I have always been that way. :)”
“When I look to my future, sometimes I struggle. I’m always striving to achieve as much as I can, and I want to get more education. I will graduate from OSU in the Summer of 2025. I want to go to law school but maybe not right away. I may take a year for my Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate Certificate and Bookkeeping Certification. My plan is to be at PAST for the next couple of years especially since my role has just recently expanded.”
Always smiling and positive with Rubi’s attitude, drive, and ambition, no doubt she may just “rule the world!”
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