Half Point of 1st Semester

This is William again, everyone’s favorite Dean’s Ambassador. It’s the mid-point of my first semester of my junior year here at Purdue University and so far things are going good. But I am not going to lie; it has been one of the toughest semesters by far in my college career. It’s been tough because I am doing marketing for two fortune companies and I am also a volunteer intern for Purdue athletics. That on top of being a college student makes my week very busy, but it is all worth it.

I think this will help better prepare me for the real world when I graduate from Purdue because I will have experienced how it feels to have to complete a certain number of tasks in a short amount of time. The experience I am gaining is very valuable, I had no clue that I would be this immersed in marketing during my junior year. I feel like all I do is market every day for different companies. But I love it because it is what I want to do when I graduate. Some words of advice would be to get involved in organizations that are directly related to your major and what you want to do when you graduate because opportunities can come from the most random places you can think of. I was involved in a public relations organization and they sent me an email one day about an opportunity to become a Brand Ambassador for HP/Intel. I applied and didn’t get it. Then they called me the following semester and asked if I was still interested in the position and I got it.

So get involved on campus because you never know what might happen just because you are in a certain organization. It looks good on your resume and you get to meet new people who will add to your networking because you never know, their father or uncle could be – maybe the CEO of a very popular company.

Oh the places you’ll go…(And the classes you’ll take)

In approximately one hour from now, I will be sitting in a classroom taking an exam–a typical college experience. However, the thing that is not so typical about this event is that the class I have this exam in is taught by an award winning professor who genuinely cares about his students and their academic success. Oh, did I mention that this class is titled “Society, Culture, and Rock & Roll”? Yes, Purdue has that class, and it is easily one of the most insightful, mentally stimulating, and engaging courses I have ever taken.

One of the many things I love about the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue is the opportunities I have to take courses that are taught by the best. I cannot describe how much I love sitting in a class with 20 other students and having a professor who actually cares about their students and how they are doing academically. While these professors make their classes so entertaining and effective, they are some of the most challenging, but in the best way possible.

I never used to have much confidence in my ability to write or create projects, but the professors in these classes have encouraged me, led me, and challenged me to do the best work that I can. I no longer was the only person holding myself accountable for producing good work, my professors had the same expectations for me. When I took my first class that was like this, I was refreshed. I was worried, initially, about coming to a large university, and how my coursework might suffer if I didn’t have someone to help keep me accountable for being a good student. Within my first semester here though, I realized that I didn’t need to worry. I was immediately in classes with spectacular professors who were professors because they loved their job. I was pushed academically to take risks that I hadn’t even considered, and when I faltered, I had my professors to back me up. I finally began to see my potential and began to pursue goals that had only been dreams before.

When I first signed up for a class with a well-known professor, it was daunting. I didn’t believe that I would be able to keep up in their class; however, I was proven wrong. Purdue, and the College of Liberal Arts especially, has been blessed to be able to have multiple award winning, intelligent professors who genuinely care. I now make it a priority to attempt to fit their classes into my schedule, and they have been some of the most interesting topics, as well–I assure you that they don’t teach the boring things!!

So when making your decision to come to Purdue or not, consider if you want to take classes like Society, Culture, and Rock & Roll, American in the 1970s, Living History, World War II, America from 1914-1940s, Gender and Communication, Narrating 9/11, and American Food-ways. These are all courses I have taken, or will be taking, that have been taught by PHENOMENAL professors. Most of them have nothing to do with what I want to do when I graduate, but they each have been great sources of entertainment, information, discussion, and even friends. The good thing about Liberal Arts at Purdue is that, it doesn’t matter! Every class can count for something!!!

Boiler Up!

Elizabeth Hudson

Professional Writing and American Studies

May 2013

 

Oh the Places You’ll Go!

Oh the Places You’ll Go!

A soon to be graduating senior in Comparative Literature, I have been trying to plan my last semester’s worth of classes. Luckily I have only three requirements left, meaning I can choose other classes to take from any school or department. This has got me thinking about what an engineering and agriculture school can possibly offer a liberal artist for electives.

While I could talk all day about the cool liberal arts classes that exist (and I have taken), I didn’t realize until recently how blessed I am to be here. First, I cannot think of another school that has Flower Arranging as an elective. I’m in it right now and I thoroughly enjoy the lab, where I get to make things to decorate my apartment.

I have also decided to round off my requirements next semester with Wine Tasting, where I will learn how to pair foods more successfully. My only regret in all of this is I never realized we had a beekeeping or equine management class. Oh well, I suppose I’ll leave those for future generations.

Things to Try at Purdue

Things to Try at Purdue

As a junior I have had a few years to explore Purdue and the Greater Lafayette area. This post is a guide to some of my favorite memories so far but this only scratches the surface of what Purdue has to offer.

1. Season Football Tickets- This goes especially for freshmen year. Attending games with fellow ticketholders helped me meet some of my best friends. The atmosphere is awesome regardless of how bad our team is doing. I’m a basketball fan but if you only go to one game make it football. (p.s. the walk to the basketball stadium during winter is significantly less fun)

2. Eat off Campus- Sophomore year I got stuck in the routine of eating out at the same 5-10 places within walking distance of my apartment. As a junior I have started branching out and driving further to find the best food. This one requires a car but it is definitely worth the effort. There are hundreds of great places to eat that are less than 10 minutes from campus.

3. Explore a New Building- When it got really cold last year I tried to see how far I could get using the tunnel system. I ended up nowhere near my class but it was great seeing the inside of some buildings I would never normally go into. There are a lot of buildings at Purdue that you won’t have classes in and it seems that each has a different look and feel even if the outside is always red brick.

4. Celebrate Spring Break- Contrary to popular belief you don’t need to go to a beach to do this. My roommates and I went to Chicago for Spring Break. This was the highlight of my college experience thus far. The food was incredible and we went to the Shedd Aquarium, and even caught Purdue’s NCAA Tournament game.

5. Join Something!- For me, this was my current job at the Exponent as well as the Deans Ambassadors program. In both instances I came across a callout or email and decided not to ignore it. If you know where your interests are, join that organization. If not follow the flyers you see around campus. Both of my organizations give me a chance to learn more about what I’m interested in, Communications. I know people who joined salsa dancing, muy thai, and even improv comedy.

Whatever you might be into rest assured there are several others on campus who share that interest.
Purdue is a place where everyone can find their niche. Whether it be your major, a club, study abroad, or just your friends you will walk out of here with some lasting imprint. College is about making the most of these four years and Purdue University gives you a great opportunity to do just that.

Yonas Kebede
Advertising, May 2013

New Beginings

Starting off this school year I had no idea that I would end up becoming the brand rep for HP, on the marketing board for Coca-Cola, and an intern for trade mark and licensing at Purdue, which is basically Purdue athletics. My favorite position is the brand rep for HP. I love that position. It gives me the marketing experience that I need to make me more marketable once I graduate.

This position entails many things. I have to perform a certain number of events on campus promoting the HP laptops, most importantly the laptop with the beats technology installed in them. I have to increase traffic flow to the HP student site and basically just increase sales and awareness of HP products. I love marketing so this position lets me use my creative marketing skills on campus and it gives me the opportunity to network within HP.

Being able to put HP and Coca-Cola on my resume is a big thing to me. Even though these positions and being a student here at Purdue makes my week extremely busy, I think that it is worth it. It’s a pretty cool thing to be able to do work for two fortune 500 companies and I’m only a junior. Hopefully this brings about bigger things since my ultimate goal is to become a CEO of a fortune 500 company.

Stepping Out of the Box

Coming to a large university like Purdue can be very overwhelming for incoming freshmen. You are probably experiencing doubt and anxiety thinking this campus is too big! How do I meet new people? Where can I find a group of friends I can be comfortable around? Well to answer that question you must first do one very important thing, you must step outside of your own comfort zone. Join the rowing club, join the ultimate frisbee intramural team, don’t hesitate to say hi to your neighbor three doors down from you in the dorms. This will allow you to meet new people who you will see on a regular basis at these events.

Nearly all freshmen feel this same way when they first come to Purdue, so don’t feel shy or embarrassed because chances are that first person you meet will be experiencing the same apprehension as yourself. The most important piece of advice I can give you is to go out and try new things, do something new that you never would have even imagined yourself doing. Make a positive name for yourself and put yourself out there, you’ll be glad you did.

You have the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with others by getting involved on campus. Who knows, that one person in the debate club could end up being your wife. Or that guy on your basketball team could end up being your best friend throughout college. You always want to make a friend in any organization, or even class, that you are in. It will end up being very beneficial to you in the long run, and one day you will be able to look back on all of the unforgettable memories you made by stepping out your comfort zone.

Scott Bell
Mass Communication, May 2013

The Boilermaker Gameday Experience!

Nothing compares to a Boilermaker gameday.  Our football games are more than just about the game.  We’re all there to support our guys on the field, but also to enjoy the excitement and Boilermaker spirit! 

The many gameday activities include tailgating, the marching band pep rally at Slayter Hill, hearing the horn of the Boilermaker Special, watching Purdue Pete run around with his hammer and, of course, a Boiler victory!

One of my favorite parts of a gameday is Shout! Shout happens between the third and fourth quarter of the game. They play the song and the entire stadium jumps up singing and dancing along! Even the football players join in to get pumped up for the last quarter of the game. We’ve also had some pretty cool alumni come back to get the song started, like Neil Armstrong, Drew Brees, Captain Sullenberger, Ryan Kerrigan, and many more. 

Gamedays are also fun because you are bound to run into someone you know. Many friends and families come to campus to see the game and join in the fun. And, of course, I always see my classmates and have the chance to meet with dedicated alumni, who are back in town to support the team and relive their college memories.  There is definitely a sense of Purdue pride on gamedays, reagardless of the outcome of the game. The Boilermaker gameday experience is an important part of being a student at Purdue! And, it’s a whole lot of fun too

Boiler UP!

Sara Zou

Political Science

Yes, I am the “Cheap College Kid”

0Coming into Purdue, I knew that I would be paying for the majority of my school expenses myself, which I found pretty overwhelming.  What I didn’t realize was that taking control of my finances and my budget was a huge opportunity.  What I “wasn’t able to do” helped create several windows of opportunity to be creative and very independent.  These are my tips to being that “Cheap College Kid.”

TIP 1:  Find a Job!  My first mission at Purdue, aside from classes, was to find a job.  During my first semester as a freshman, here at Purdue, I got a job in one of the small stores in Meredith Hall, one of our centralized dorms.  I was dreading the extra work and stess that it could place on my already busy schedule, but it was a fact of life that I was pretty broke.  Working at the store was fantastic.  They are very good at working around your classes and other activities or clubs that you may be involved in.  I was able to form some of my closest friends at Purdue through opportunity.  As a senior, I am still working there and have been able to move up to a supervisor position, giving me some great leadership and organizational experience!

TIP 2:  Take Advantage of FREE STUFF!  There are so many cheap/free options for activities here!  My all-time favorite of these would be the Flicks at Fowler, which are free movies (good ones, too!) that are shown in Stewart Center.  All students get in for free and, if you have someone visiting from another school, you can get really inexpensive tickets for them to get in as well.  There are so many cheap options for activities on campus.  Clubs are often putting events that are open to the general student population, which can allow you to get outside your comfort zone and see what other students are up to!  You can be so creative here and always find something fun to do!

TIP 3:  Live Cheap, too!!  I have been living in an apartment off-campus that is extremely nice, but still very inexpensive!  Besides the outright price of rent, you can find some apartments that include utilities, television, and internet within the price of rent!  Riding the free buses that are provided by Purdue and the cities of Lafayette and West Lafayette are great ways to save money.  They are a great resource that is easy to take advantage of!

Taking control of all aspects of my college career, and being able to balance all these activities as well as my finances seemed very overwhelming, but it has been a great opportunity to explore myself and has been empowering.  I feel like I am more prepared for the “real world” and graduating than I would have been without these challenges.  Being in college means adapting to what you have in front of you and having fun with it.  It is definitely a possibility to live frugally and still have an amazing college experience!  I am not ashamed to be that “Cheap College Kid!”

The End of October

I have a strange fascination with fresh vegetables. They’re just so delicious and tasty! In my home town of South Bend there is an indoors Farmer’s Market full of free kittens, eggplant, crafty kibble, various berries, and the smallest diner dozens of people eat in every week. One day I realized how much I missed it and decided to see if I could find a similar experience here at Purdue since I wasn’t going home for the summer.

First I went to visit the Purdue Farmer’s Market. Alas, it was not expansive enough for me. Then one early Saturday morning I meandered across the pedestrian bridge and found myself among dozens of tents full of everything I could ever want. There were FLOWERS and COFFEE and MUFFINS and PIES and FRUIT and MORE! Now there are venders who know my name and joke with me about my week before selling me some of the best food I’ve ever had here at college (and that’s saying something considering how good our dining halls are).

I’ve gone to the Lafayette Farmer’s Market almost every week on Saturday morning since May. Since I started bragging about it many of my friends have followed suit. I’m going to miss it a lot when it takes a break at the end of October and can’t wait for it to start again next spring.

Getting Experience in the Classroom

In today’s times the importance of internships has sky rocked, but they may not always be the easiest things to find with limited experience or on top of a full class load.  So, there is no better way to gain experience then by taking classes that are hands on and allow you to do many of the same things you may do at an internship, but in a more nurturing environment where you are not expected to know everything already. I am lucky enough to be in two classes this semester that have allowed me to gain knowledge in my field by not just through reading a book, but with technical skills as well.

The first class I am in is Communication 261-Introduction to Digital Production, which has allowed me access to video cameras and editing materials that one would use if in the field. Not only do I get access to these materials I have been able to receive instruction on how to use them most effectively to accomplish specific tasks.  I have also learned many of the behind the camera aspects that go into an interview or television show that have better allowed me to understand how a show is developed from an idea and process it must go through to get to your television screen. In addition I have learned how to use the editing program Final Cut Pro, which will be a great addition to my resume. Being aware of all these factors and programs that go into television or video programming have allowed me a behind the scenes view of what a future career in television or video editing could have.

The other class I am currently participating in is Communication 491-Mass Media and Politics, this class has allowed me to observe the other side of production, the on air talent and research aspects. In this class we work with a few other universities and CSPAN in Washington DC to interview guests about politics and the current 2012 election campaigns. We have been lucky enough to interview former President Jimmy Carter, Author of Game Change Mark Halperin, and many other people that have had influence on past and current elections. We are required to research the interviewee and come prepared with questions. This experience has showed me the time that is takes to make an on air interview appear polished and be beneficial for both the person being interviewed and the audience. In addition our class is taped and airs every Friday on CSPAN 3; this has been another interesting experience for me as well allowing me to understand what it takes to be an on air talent in today’s times. Not only do you have to knowledgeable on the topic that is being discussed, but also on other topics and people of interest that the conversion may lead to.  Although this class has taken a lot of effort and time it truly has been one of my most rewarding classes I have taken at Purdue so far.

Through these classes I have learned that important skills do not necessarily have to be learned in the field, but that the classroom can serve great benefits to your career as well. By choosing these classes I have not only been able to explore my interest in on air communication, but deepened my knowledge of the subject area as well. So, do not be worried if you are having trouble finding an internship or just do not have time for it during the semester; classes too can add experience to your resume.

Lauren Hausermann

Mass Communication, May 2013