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Year in Review
- Global Awareness: Cultivating and maintaining a certain global awareness is imperative for everyone; however, for the college student, is especially vital. We, perhaps more often than most, socialize with other students from many different backgrounds with many different cultures, and so there are never sparse opportunities for developing cultural empathy. So far, in addition to developing global awareness through my courses (i.e. Cultures of Science and Technology, where we discuss relevant epistemologies about S&T and explore the relevant philosophies of science) and daily interactions with others, I’m currently involved with The Ethical Endeavor (a student organization where we discuss ethics with respect to our current social, political, and scientific climates), work at Mill Run Vision Center (Optometrist’s office) and volunteer at Riverside Methodist Hospital, where my interactions with many groups of differing cultural norms, socioeconomic statuses, and more facilitate in me a special global awareness and subsequent cultural empathy.
- Original Inquiry: I value highly the ability to personalize my undergraduate experience, and that includes in the research realm. I’ve contemplated working in a Biology lab, but upon talking to communication faculty and reading communication research, I’ve decided that I want to do unique communication research. I’ve scheduled my honors contract, then, so that I do a sort-of independent study in Comparative Studies concurrently (to supplement my research by offering unique social and cultural perspectives) with doing original research with a communication faculty member. I hope this comes to fruition, because I’m really excited about the prospect of research!
- Academic Enrichment: My honors contract is a unique one; though during my first year I pursued a B.S. in Biochemistry, I have sense declared a triple major (B.A.) in Comparative Studies (Science and Technology), Strategic Communication, and Biology. Throughout it all, I’ve remained in the same pre-professional program — Pre-Optometry — and it is the aggregation of these majors and their required courses that have provided me thus far with a unique, diverse, intellectually rigorous academic experience. I originally chose to pursue Biochemistry because I thought it was the best major to set me up to be competitive for Optometry School (my end goal: my father is an Optometrist and owns a private practice), but I ended up dropping it due to a life event that prompted the subsequent realization that I did not want to embark on a strictly science-based undergraduate curriculum. (Thankfully) I realized I would not enjoy it and wanted to personalize my undergraduate experience (the Biochemistry major is fairly rigid). I then, with the help of my honors advisor (Shout out to my homegirl Joanna Spanos), declared a Comparative Studies (STS) major. I felt that, in contrast to my original major, the curriculum would consist of the more theoretical and humanities courses that I’d found myself enjoying in addition to providing me with a unique worldview of how science and technology functions in other cultures (I figured this would be beneficial to my Optometry school application, as many who apply are strictly in the biological/physical sciences). Following that declaration and after working at Mill Run Vision center for a few months, I realized that Optometry is far from one-dimensional; there are, essentially, two main components to running a private practice: the “sciencey” component and the sales component. My line of thinking is as follows: Since many of Optometry school applicants successfully completed rigorous hard-sciences undergraduate programs (which I would not have done), I need to stand out amongst the applicants in some way. This sales background (because Optometric private practices are, in fact, businesses as well), I figured, would give me a unique edge over other applicants and instill in me essential communication life skills. The Biology is the most recent development: I originally, due to the nature of the Pre-Optometry requirements, would have had a Biology minor regardless (in addition to a single course) of the majors. Upon completing this contract, however, I realized that in order to fulfill the Biology major requirements I’d need 14 more credit hours. Though I will end up being a full-time student for probably a total of 12 semesters, I figured it would be worth it to get the major so as to provide me with essential scientific knowledge and set me up to be even more competitive. But– All of this rides on one hypothetical: Only if I succeed will this all pay off (academically). I’m confident that I can, though!
- Leadership Development: As mentioned above, I am in the Ethical Endeavor and volunteer at Riverside Methodist Hospital in addition to working for Mill Run Vision Center. I am the current director of networking for the Ethical Endeavor, where my Strategic Communication curriculum has aided me in revamping the pre-existing communication methods. These experiences together have given me an opportunity to hold unique positions of power– power that comes with inherent responsibility. I believe I’m in the midst of cultivating a variety of leadership skills across many realms (mostly related to healthcare in some way), which should be beneficial for my future profession (even if it doesn’t end up being in Optometry).
- Service Engagement: I have (for the past year) and will continue indefinitely to volunteer with Riverside Methodist Hospital. In addition, I’m a new member of the Pre-Optometry club. The program seems to offer multiple service engagement opportunities, and I plan to take advantage of a few. Hopefully the upcoming year provides many an opportunity to increase my rewarding engagement with Riverside!
G.O.A.L.S.
Global Awareness: As a gay, Jewish, hispanic man, I intend to work at the Multicultural center as a Diversity Ambassador. I am also currently a part of Pride OSU. In addition, studying abroad in East Asia is a very real possibility; my brother was adopted from Vietnam and we have been there a lot! In addition, I plan on joining student group that works with and tutors adult and child refugees.
Original Inquiry: Sometime during my sophomore year – when I am more secure in my career path – I intend to get involved in undergraduate research. In addition to endeavoring on a rigorous Biochemistry pathway, minoring in business will broaden my horizons and encourage a more holistic development of the self. Not only this, but music is and hopefully will continue to be a significant part of my life, so I potentially foresee participation in a music extracurricular.
Academic Enrichment: By taking a rigorous course load through H&S, I intend to challenge myself academically. In addition to major and minor-specific courses, personally relevant courses, such as studies of sexuality and Jewish studies, will contribute to personal growth. In addition, volunteering at the Hospital will provide me a better hands-on knowledge of in-class subjects.
Leadership Development: Either next or the following year, I plan on becoming a Pride OSU mentor for incoming freshman students. In addition, tutoring Refuge kids and adults will help me develop leadership skills. Volunteering at the hospital will also contribute to my leadership skills.
Service Engagement: Volunteering at the hospital, working with the Refuge community, and participation in (volunteering with) PASS through the College of Arts and Sciences will give back to the community and cultivate essential life skills. Not only this, but I plan to shadow my father, who is an optometrist, at his practice during the summer of 2017; I would work with patients, help during exams, etc.
Career
[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career. Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]
Artifacts
[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation. An annotation is a reflective description of the artifact that attempts to communicate its significance. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]
About Me
[Your “About Me” is an introduction and should provide insight into who you are as a person and a learner. This should include a picture of you that is appropriate in a professional/academic context. This information should be continually updated. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]