College and Compass Course

 College is probably the first thing I have ever really taken seriously. That sounds bad, but it is true. I didn't realize this until I learned how much work you have to put into it in order to do well (or simply get by). After surviving freshman year, however, I could not be prouder to be a Badger. One of the things that I have learned attending this university, is that being a part of something that so many people love and care about is a feeling like none other. 

Being a badger relates to pretty much every artifact in the collection of artifacts: I build my strengths and practice my values as a Badger. As far as academics go... thats pretty self-explanatory. Being a Badger presents so many potential leadership opportunities, like being a mentor in the BBP and leading a team project in a MHR class. The UW is an extremely diverse community of individuals, and coming from a small private catholic high school I love this about the UW.

I think the Wisconsin Idea is another one of the best parts of being a badger. As a student, helping other students succeed, and knowing that you all have my back is a great feeling. In my job, I find housing solutions for tons of TA's, researchers, young doctors, and professors from all around the world, and as a result I learn a ton from their experiences, not to mention expanding my network. Even if I end up moving far away from Wisconsin after I graduate, I will still come back and show my support by participating in Badger gamedays (who wouldn't!?) and if I am successful in business, I will certainly use our awesome alumni network to help badger graduates get jobs.

Compass Course

While sometimes it is hard for me to find value in doing personality assessments and reflective writing, I love the fact that the WSoB gives us the opportunity to have a course where we learn business skills from our fellow students. I especially thought the interview stream was helpful, even though I hate seeing recordings of myself talking. Here is my reflection of the InterviewStream assignment, and compass course in general;

I think this is really what the compass course is about. I like the fact that both of our facilitators are students, because it is much easier to relate to you, than my MHR 300 professor, for example, in terms of building academic and career skills. I think that it this factor is a very practical implementation of the Wisconsin Idea, and being able to work with the other students around me, and learn from each other, because academic and career skills are very people focused.

Experiences Before/Outside of School

The road to becoming a Badger wasn't a particularly easy one for me, I often struggled in deciding what I wanted to do with my life, and there were many experiences that helped me along my way to the WSoB. I already mentioned family, and the fact that more than 90% of my living family members either have degrees from the UW, or are pursuing degrees from the UW was a big part.

The friendships that I have built up over the years definitely contribute to my success, appreciation for diversity, and networking skills. Friendships are also a huge part of my mission statement: To surround myself with people who I help make into better people, and who help make me into a better person. To hold truth above everything else, and to do anything for the people who have my back. To do everything for the betterment of myself, those I love, and the world around me.

Example of how my friends are there for me 

My best friends

Me and my cousin, I am lucky to have him as one of my best friends, as well as a part of my family

I would say that expressing my creativity outside of the classroom has definitely contributed to my abstract thinking and reasoning skills, which I believe are one of my strengths.

The cookbook my grandma gave to me a few years before she died. She is one of the strongest women I have ever known, and instilled a love of cooking in me, which is a great stress reliever.

I like to think I can cook a good omelette.

Me and my friends cooking up some chicken scampi

I love music, this is the piano I grew up playing, and expressing myself through music is one of my favorite things to do. This relates to my social identity, because as a musician I have made many of connections that I otherwise never would have made.

Skiing is probably my favorite thing to do. I believe that skiing has taught me so many skills, including fortitude, going outside my comfort zone, and an appreciation for the world around me. This relates to my vision statement, especially the line;

"I envision a world where every person, regardless of their beliefs and background, is surrounded by people they love, care about, and enjoy the company of, and are able to do what they love"

The picture above is of me hitting a rail in downtown madison a few years back.

Humor

The above picture is from Scrubs, if you don't watch scrubs then shame on you! I think that humor is one of the key parts to the human experience, and relates to networking and diversity because I believe that humor brings people together more than anything else.

Boy scouts

Growing up, I took a lot of shit for being in the Boy Scouts, but it was honestly the most fun thing I have ever done. I stuck it through to get my Eagle Scout (which is probably responsible for me getting into this school). I think this relates to the "only connect" reflection. A quote I used in the reflection was 

“A person is a person through other persons; you can’t be human in isolation; you are only human in relationships"

- Desmond Tutu

Work Experience

This was my little work ATV I used last summer. Working in maintenance and property management definitely instilled a sense of responsibility in me, among a ton of other things. I think it is very important to have fun and work hard.

Family

I think that family is a perfect place to start for this blog, as the blog is focusing on how I developed into the person I am today, and gained the strengths, skills, and values that I have and use in everyday life.

 Me and my sister at all city swim back in the day. Growing up with a little sister definitely added to my management and problem solving skills.

Here is us celebrating her acceptance into UW Madison.

Here is most of my extended family. My aunt is in front. She is a huge inspiration for me, and her path to becoming an anesthesiologist instilled perseverance in me. 

Here are my parents. They are the main source of the two values that I hold above all other values, Truth and Trust. They trusted me to be my own person and do my own thing from a young age, and as a result, I try to do the same with those I meet.