| Could you talk a little about the importance
of investing in your education?
Education is VERY important in my family. My grandfather has only a
6th grade education, and my grandmother, who had to quit school to begin
raising 13 of the 16 children she had, promised herself that she would
graduate. So she went back to school and got her GED, which was a lifelong
goal that she achieved. She and my grandfather, who owns his own business,
have explained the importance of education to me. From a very young
age, my brothers and I were told that we WILL graduate from high school
and then go to college. Being raised in a single parent home, nobody
knew how we would pay for it, but we knew we were going to college.
From my experiences with my family and friends, I know that having an
education, and using that education wisely, is the KEY to success!
What’s your responsibility related to working with Admissions?
I am a member of Ethnic Student Promoters (ESP), and have been since
I came to UNI in the Fall of 2003. ESP is a student organization that
interacts with prospective students by giving tours, panels, and other
activities.
What do you like best about your job or your organization?
What I like best about ESP is the interaction we have with students
and parents who want to learn more about UNI. It feels good knowing
that I can assist others in learning about UNI's history, as well as,
point out recognitions that this university has received.
Why did you choose this job or this organization?
I chose to become involved in ESP during my freshman year at UNI, because
I wanted to be a part of an organization that encouraged people to further
their education. On top of that, members of ESP are a support system
for those who are interested in attending school not just at UNI, but
anywhere. Our main goal is to recruit students to come to UNI; however,
we make sure that we encourage the students to pursue higher education
regardless of the school they choose to attend.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
I would recommend that incoming students focus on their time management
skills. There are so many distractions that can cause students to get
sidetracked and begin to mess up in their classes. I would also tell
them that they should get involved. Just try something new. While getting
involved is a great way to meet new people and have new experiences,
students need to make sure that they actually have time to do so.
What’s your best/funniest/favorite UNI story?
My favorite UNI story is a memory that I have from the Jump Start Program
(Fall '03). We were paired into groups and always had to meet in the
morning, and I would always have to wake up two members of my group.
I would make sure they were up in the morning, throughout the day, and
also make sure they were paying attention. It's funny to me, because
we were all old enough to take care of ourselves, but I just stepped
in to help them out with that. The three of us became very good friends
and still are. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
What’s your favorite or best class and why?
Thus far, the best class that I have taken at UNI is Human Identity
& Relationships. This class allows students to talk about various
relationship, race, sexual orientation, and everyday life issues. The
discussions are very interesting and informative for students. We learn
so much about so many different things, and I just think it's a great
class for students to take.
What was your first visit to campus like?
My very first visit to UNI was to a Women’s Basketball camp while
I was a sophomore in high school, and I loved it! My team and I had
the opportunity to eat in the Tower’s Dining Center, walk around
the campus, and actually live in the dorms to get the whole “feel”
of a college lifestyle. My next visit was to attend an event that the
CBA provided for potential business majors. That visit was very beneficial
in informing me about the College of Business and the many opportunities
that it provided. Potential students and their parents took a tour of
the campus and the CBA, attended a student panel, and ate at a luncheon
that the CBA planned as part of the visit. It was another amazing experience
for me.
What are your future plans?
After graduation, I plan to work for 2-3 years in order to gain valuable
work experience before applying to an MBA program. Many MBA programs
have an average of 5+ years work experience. In addition, I plan to
study for and complete Levels 2 & 3 of the Chartered Financial Analyst
(CFA) Exam. I am currently a Level 1 CFA Candidate.
Could you talk a little about the Finance program at UNI, and
any academic opportunities (networking, internships, etc) you've had?
The Finance Department at UNI is outstanding. It provides a challenging
curriculum that enables students to learn through various projects,
presentations, and more, that are given in the finance courses. The
Finance Department also gives seniors the opportunity to study for the
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level I Exam. It provides full and
partial scholarships to eligible students, workbooks/study materials,
and a lecture every week to help you understand the material. In addition,
the CBA faculty and student organizations, such as EXCEL, have provided
me with various networking opportunities, business etiquette dinners,
and interviewing skills that have ultimately led to great internship
opportunities. I have had the opportunity to intern at Principal Financial
Group, a Fortune 500 company, because of the things I’ve learned
throughout my years at UNI.
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