Welcome Back Video

The fall semester is finally upon us. As we get back into the full swing of things, I wanted to share my welcome back video with the entire student body.

Speaking from personal experience, I understand that the beginning of the semester can be a very busy, stressful, yet also fun time. There is a plethora of opportunities available for students to get involved with during this time of year, so don't wait to get involved! I firmly believe that with 900 student organizations there is something out there for everyone, including freshman who are just starting class for the first time. The sooner you find your niche here at UF, the better your overall experience will be.

Some of the organizations and resources I outlined in my video include Greek organizations, the Alumni Association, the Career Resource Center, and Student Government. These are a few great examples of involvement opportunities that can truly enhance your college experience.

Again, I encourage everyone to work hard, get involved in something your passionate about, and have fun while doing it. I hope everyone is having a great start to their semester and is exicted about what the near future has in store! Oh...and don't forget to stay classy, Gators.



The Value of Internships

Looking back on my time as an undergraduate, I have realized that one of the greatest experiences I was able to receive was through an internship I had with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Washington, D.C. 

Through my internship I learned how to act appropriately in a professional setting, write memos and briefs of meetings for circulation, network with people of diverse backgrounds and manage my work efficiently.

Although I am only at the beginning of my term as Student Body President I can already see how valuable the lessons I learned during my internship really are.

At UF we have many services, which can help you secure your perfect internship too. A great place to start is at the Career Resource Center located in the Reitz Union. The CRC can help you write cover letters, adjust your resume and match you with internships and jobs in your preferred field.

A new place to check for internships around Gainesville are in Facebook groups. The “Jobs & Internships” group is an example of a group which exists within Florida and is restricted to posting by those with valid Gatorlink emails, therefore this group is mostly student run and boasts new  postings every few hours spanning a variety of fields.

The value that internships can add to an undergraduate education are innumerable. Just yesterday, I spotted an online article from Sunshine State New stressing just this. To read this story, click on the following link, http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/college-students-who-served-internships-more-attractive-employers.

You never know who you will meet during your internships!
I had no idea I would ever meet Richard Gere!