My college career is nearing its mid-point, and thus, it is time to review all that has happened over the past year. My journey at Ohio State in the past year has involved travel to other continents, learning the language computers speak in and finding my home in the club Ohio Staters, Inc. In my reflection, I wish to reemphasize my involvement in pursuing the GOALS of the Ohio State Honors and Scholars Center.
Global Awareness:
Since my last reflection, I have grown significantly in the realm of Global Awareness, both through my academic and personal life. In May of 2018, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Uganda with 14 other Ohio State Students. Here, I immersed myself in the culture of the country- living with a family for two weeks, and participating in their daily activities. Additionally, I was enrolled at the School for International Training in Kampala, where I took classes on the importance of human security in the developing world. With this class, I was exposed to a variety of humanitarian issues in the region, including: poverty, AIDS, pollution, and cultural conflict.
In addition to my trip to Uganda, I will be traveling to Slovenia in a few weeks with the student ministry CRU. Here, I will be sharing my beliefs with students at the University of Ljubljana, and will work with them to create a similar ministry on their campus. I am excited to explore a new are of the world, and to be challenged both spiritually and emotionally.
Original Inquiry:
One of the most exciting advancements of the past year is my involvement in the Office of Administration and Planning at Ohio State. Upon being offered a position as a Data Analyst, I have accepted and dived into the work! Currently, I am using analytics to assist teams in Traffic and Transportation Management as well as the Department of Public Safety as they implement new programs to make students day to day lives easier and safer. I have been able to apply many of the skills that I have learned in class, including high level statistics and computer programming. Additionally, I am learning more about the business environment, taking part in the project and budgeting process with multiple projects.
Academic Enrichment:
My main dreams for life do involve the realm of analytics. I am a firm believer that with the data-driven skillset, anybody can be successful in pursuing their passions. For me, these passions involve transportation and societal planning on a high level. To advance closer to my passions, I have chosen to minor in City and Regional Planning, and additionally am factoring in classes through the Geography, Aviation and Design Thinking majors to fully nurture my mindset. Even down to the GEs, where I have immersed myself in a variety of interesting and challenging topics such as Eastern European Immigration and the Historical View of the Apostle Paul, I am growing in my critical thinking skills.
Leadership Development:
Through my involvement in Big Data and Analytics Association, Ohio Staters, and Indianola Presbyterian Church, I have had the opportunity to grow in my leadership skills. In serving on the executive boards for BDAA and Staters, I have increased my responsibilities in both organizations. For both, I have additional duties, meetings and opportunities for assisting in the processes of the groups. In my church, I have taken on the role as the student in the Community Engagement Committee, where I bring to light the issues affecting campus, and make recommendations to the congregation on how to best include the population of the university community in our services and events.
Service Engagement:
In Ohio Staters, I work to plan various events in an around campus that help to improve the welfare of student lives. While this is not as critical of a service activity as working at a food bank, I believe that this is the place where my skills can best serve the world around me. In the past year, I co-chaired the project Buckeye Ballots, where supplies for absentee voting were distributed around campus to increase participation in local elections by students. This project was successful, with over 300 participating, and next year, I hope to further improve it.
Thats what is up with me! If you have any questions about the events of my past year, feel free to email me at radakovich.4@osu.edu