G.O.A.L.S.

  • Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc.

Global Awareness is a category I will have to do more research into if I am hoping to properly achieve its purpose. I am very interested in studying abroad, hopefully to a country where I do not speak the language. Although this sounds strange, I think that the further I am out of my comfort zone the more I will expand myself as a person. Another way I might achieve these goals could be to go on missionary trips to other countries. I believe that not only would it increase my global awareness, but help support my current faith.

  • Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.

Without a doubt, Original Inquiry is the aspect of G.O.A.L.S. that I am most interested in. To pursue this aspect of the college experience, I am undoubtedly going to take advanced classes in my major, Data Analytics. However, I am more excited to delve into undergraduate research at Ohio State. Not only am I planning to perform research in areas related to Data Analytics, but more specifically I am hoping to interact with research working to advance our understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning. This type of research should not only provide a source of learning, but interest me and expose me to different areas of computer science that I might find myself even more interested in than what I currently know about.

  • Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.

Academic Enrichment is something I have and will continue to take very seriously for the next four years. I am currently a member of the Big Data Analytics Association (BDAA), AI Club, and SOAR. BDAA fills a crucial role in two ways: providing a support system for young data scientists, and cultivating career skills necessary for the future. Through its mentorship program and its ability to provide advice on everything you could encounter throughout college concerning data science, I have found that this program has set me up for success in the future already. Its bootcamps, career fairs, projects, and company talks fulfill the role of developing its members skills outside of the classroom. AI Club provides much the same services as BDAA, however is a little more generalized in its target demographic. However, it is still an extremely helpful supplement to my development. SOAR is a new enterprise dedicated to fighting the opioid epidemic in part using data analytics and app development. I hope that my involvement will help expose me to the real life aspect of my future career.

  • Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.

I have several possible paths for Leadership Development through my co-curricular activities. I hope to gain a governance position in Quiz Bowl, which while not related to my career could give me valuable experience with dealing with logistics and managing others. I am also hoping to be elected to a position on the BDAA Executive Board, which could closely resemble a role I would undertake in the future during my career.

  • Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.

Although I am hoping to become more involved as I learn more about what Ohio State has to offer, I am planning on utilizing Pay It Forward and Group Mission Trips to serve my community. With Pay It Forward, I am able to take periodic trips to places in the Columbus area to volunteer. Group Mission Trips provides an opportunity over the summer to travel to an impoverished community in the United States and work fixing houses for a week. Both of these organizations are well suited to the amount of commitment that I am comfortable with at the moment, however I might look into a separate opportunity in the future, like weekly volunteering at the Vineyard Food Bank.