About Me

Olivia Haimerl is a third year undergraduate student in the Arts & Sciences Honors College at The Ohio State University. She has an intended B.A. in Medical Anthropology and intended minors in Security and Intelligence and Global Public Health. In the future, she hopes to attend law school and obtain her J.D.. Olivia enjoys being involved on campus in various activities that support her passions and academic interests. Olivia is currently the Content Director for TEDxOhioStateUniversity, an independently organized TEDx event that solely involves Ohio State affiliated speakers. When not sitting in class, Olivia enjoys reading and writing historical fiction, having long dinners with friends at the Traditions on campus, and investigating every study spot on campus to find the perfect one.

 

Career

Olivia is currently on the Pre-Law Track here at Ohio State and hopes to continue on to Law School to obtain her J.D. after she receives her Bachelor’s.

Olivia has a detailed resume that highlights her education, her critical skills, her relevant work experience, and her campus activities. Please email her at haimerl.8@osu.edu if a copy of her resume is needed.

Year in Review

Year #1 | 2018-2019

Wow. My freshman year was a whirlwind of friends, activities, classes, and fun. Looking at the year with a macroscopic lens, I completed over 20 credit hours, joined an incredible student organization, and went on an unforgettable study abroad trip. I will be forever grateful for this year for teaching me life lessons, study tactics, new information, and most importantly the value of my intended Bachelor’s Degree.

AU18, or Autumn Semester of 2018 was my first college class experience. I was already taking a major required course: Introduction to Intelligence (or INTSTDS 3700), and boy was I nervous. I was also enrolled in the Ohio State Orchestra, my winter break study abroad class, freshman survey, and a first year seminar. These classes were terrifying, but after a couple weeks, I had my non-assigned assigned seat, knew the professors, and had put all of the important dates in my calendar. Introduction to Intelligence was a tough class, but I learned the entire structure of the Intelligence system and it was a valuable class in understanding the basic structure of my International Studies major and specialization.

In addition to learning how to navigate the classroom, I had to learn how to navigate the new territory in which I lived. I was lucky to find amazing dining opportunities, I loved my roommates, and I definitely had a comfortable dormitory study room. However, I was also looking to join a student organization. I found TEDxOhioStateUniversity, and it revolutionized my first year experience. TEDxOhioStateUniversity is one of the only completely student-run TEDx organizations across the United States and it brings a TEDx Conference comprised of about 12 speakers and 2 performers to Ohio State’s campus every year. During this autumn semester, I focused on learning how to improve my public speaking skills, what makes a good TEDx talk, and getting to know everyone in this tight-knit organization.

To round out my autumn semester, I joined 31 other first-year Honors students on the London Honors study abroad trip. This trip was a 10 day excursion to London to visit all of the sights we had learned about during the semester, and I was ecstatic to see Europe for the first time. The trip was beautiful, and I met some of my life-long best friends. I got lost on the Tube, witnessed New Year’s Fireworks, saw Stephen Hawking’s grave, toured Buckingham Palace, visited tourist attractions, bought silly tourist souvenirs and stood on top of the London Eye and saw a 360 view of the city.

Pictured Above: Olivia Haimerl standing in front of the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens.

Pictured Above: Olivia Haimerl and friends posing outside of the infamous Buckingham Palace gold gate.

For SP19, or Spring Semester of 2019, I was far more prepared for my classes, my organizations, and campus life. I had already successfully completed one semester, so one more seemed like a breeze. However, I have learned that in spring semester, it is harder to stay motivated. Spring is cold and snowy in Ohio, and trudging around to class with wind whipping across your face is not an inviting picture. Despite this winter challenge, I was able to keep that motivation and push through it to be able to have an amazing semester.

Once again, I was taking more major focused classes. INTSTDS 3701, or Introduction to the Department of Homeland Security was by far my favorite. My professor was a tough, yet kind, man who taught us so much about the massive department and all of its twists and turns. Having no introduction to Homeland Security before this, I was fascinated by the systems that continue to run in the background of our everyday American lives. I was also able to take classes in Political Science, Spanish, Psychology, and was even able to dig my feet into Earth Science.

Outside of the classroom, more opportunities came my direction. TEDxOhioStateUniversity’s main TEDx Conference occurred in late February, and I had the incredible opportunity of being a part of the Content Committee for this event. There are 7 main committees (comprised of all undergraduate students) that help bring the event to life, such as Design, Logistics, Development, and Outreach. The role of the Content Committee is to select speakers (all Ohio State affiliated) from applications, interview them, and choose around 12 to fit the main stage. We also coordinate the Emcee’s and all information related to our TEDx speakers. My individual role is to coach a speaker to give their talk. I have been trained and read on the in and outs of a good TEDx talk, how to form one, what the audience looks for, and more. I then help the speaker I am chosen to work with craft their idea and turn it into a masterpiece.

I was chosen to coach a man named Harley Blakeman. Harley’s idea worth spreading was the misconception of the word felon in the workplace and in general life. As a convicted felon himself, but also as a graduate of The Ohio State University, Harley had to overcome multiple obstacles to achieve the life he has made now for himself. Misusing the word felon or immediately attaching a stereotypical label to a person after hearing they are a felon has damaging consequences. The coaching process was difficult, as Harley was experiencing several negative life events during the time we spent together. Despite the struggles we faced, Harley managed to have an incredible talk on our TEDxOhioStateUniversity stage.

Linked above: Harley Blakeman’s TEDx Talk titled “The Secret Life Sentence of Being a Felon”.

In SP19 I also had the pleasure of coaching an undergraduate student, Vivian Song, on her talk on the last mile delivery process for the conjoined TEDxOhioStateUniversity and Fisher College of Business combined Salon event titled Connect. A Salon event is a different license by TED that allows a smaller, more intimate, and more topic focused TEDx Conference to be put on.

Pictured Above: A flyer promoting the event Connect.

As an undergraduate student, Vivian was different to work with. It was challenging being a boss to someone in similar age to me, someone I could have easily friended before we met during this event. However, I passed the hurdle and was able to gain authority, yet kindness and friendship. Her talk focused on a logistics concept called last mile delivery, or the process of getting a package to the consumer. Vivian proposed to have parcel lockers to increase the efficiency and customer satisfaction of buyers. Her talk was a success.

Linked Above: Vivian Song’s TEDx talk titled “Redesigning Last Mile Delivery”.

TEDxOhioStateUniversity brought me many successes, and the organization is fantastic at spreading ideas to Ohio State students, staff, faculty, and the local Columbus area. I was thrilled to be a part of the organization my freshman year, and I am grateful everyday to be able to be involved in such a selective and smart group. I am proud to announce I will be on the Content Committee again for my sophomore year.

Pictured Above: 2018-2019 TEDxOhioStateUniversity team.

#1

G.O.A.L.S. Reflection

As I reflect on my small amount of time here at the Ohio State University, one of the goals in particular sticks out to me: Original Inquiry. For most honors students, this specific goal stands for getting involved in the research process and delving into concepts they want to learn more about. Personally, I believe this goal does stand for getting involved in research, and inquiring further into your studies. However, as a very recent undergraduate who hasn’t gotten involved in the research process, this goal means so much more.

High school was a unique experience, and it gave me the foundations and basis to be able to have a successful entrance into my undergraduate career. What I didn’t expect coming into Ohio State were the limitless opportunities available to me. These opportunities gave me further insight into what original inquiry meant. To me, original inquiry means having the skills and right mindset to be able to personally delve into what I find interesting and what is important to me at Ohio State. I was astounded by all of the student organizations, class opportunities, and events occurring on campus when I first arrived. The process of “getting involved” seems easier than it actually is, due to the abundance of opportunities here on campus. To be able to properly “get involved” I had to bring out my skills of original inquiry to find what actually mattered to me.

In high school, I was a part of multiple organizations. These organizations, while important to my community, weren’t actually what I wanted to do and they didn’t represent what I was most interested in. When I received this blank slate in college, I realized how valuable it actually was. I had to do multiple inquiries to determine what I actually wanted to be involved in. I started at the Student Involvement Fair. I traversed the entirety of it, picking up flyers and talking to representatives. However, due to the mass of students involved, I wasn’t really able to glean a full sense of what the organizations I picked up flyers for actually did. So, once I was back in the dorm, I went through all of the flyers and researched about what each organization did and what their missions were. I found a couple I was interested, but none that really piqued my interest.

My inquiry didn’t stop at the Involvement Fair. I continued to ask my friends, new and old, what clubs they were planning on getting involved in and what they recommended. However, it wasn’t until I was sitting in the Arts & Sciences Honors Survey class one Tuesday morning where I really found what I was interested in. One of the Peer Mentors was explaining her involvement with TedxOhioStateUniversity, and as an avid fan of Ted Talks and what they stand for, I inquired for more information and got the link to apply for a position on the close-knit team.

Now, after an intense interview process, a retreat, and multiple meetings, I can say I am fully a part of the TedxOhioStateUniversity team. I am involved on the Content Team, which specifically finds the speakers and coaches them for the main event in February. I finally feel as though I have a meaningful place in an organization and I hold a position that actually matters. Without my original inquiry, I would have never been able to find this organization. I thank my lucky stars everyday I overheard the conversation in Survey, and was able to join this fantastic organization.

The steps of finding my place were not easy, and I still have not finished my steps of original inquiry in finding all of my places of involvement. Original Inquiry takes time, and it takes a motivated student in order to research and investigate for yourself of where you want your place to be. This goal has so much meaning now, and I plan on continuing to apply the skills I learned from original inquiry in this specific instance to the rest of my college career.

G.O.A.L.S. Overview

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