Moving from Maryland to Florida at eighteen years old to study in a rigorous program was a huge jump for me. I am currently in my junior year studying Civil Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. It was a difficult adjustment at first, but I have learned over my two short years how to adapt to this busy lifestyle.
Making connections within the first year was vital. I realized the classmates that I studied with, would most likely follow me throughout my four-year program. I’ve learned that by establishing connections with my colleagues, it has allowed me to collaborate outside of the classroom and alleviate a large amount of stress.
For any student out there reading this, connect with your peers! And once you’ve done that, start to network on a larger scale; attend career expositions and workshops. Go to your university’s career services and have your resume revised; take advantage of any opportunity to improve your career skills. Also, one of the best and most seamless ways for me to network is via LinkedIn. At the touch of your fingertips, you have access to connect with colleagues, professors, and prospective employers.
The Youth Advisory Community has given me the support to be a successful student in and outside of the classroom.
Sydney Makarovich, Youth Advisory Committee Member
While career placement is one of the most indispensable facets of college, you will need a support system to reach that point effectively. Meeting colleagues that possess similar interests is especially important. Clubs like the Youth Advisory Committee at Mentor Foundation USA have given me the opportunity to collaborate with old friends and inspire others. The Youth Advisory Committee is a small, tight-knit group of students living along the East Coast who work to motivate their communities to live healthy lifestyles free of drugs. Effectively, we have successfully composed numerous community outreach events. The Youth Advisory Community has given me the support to be a successful student in and outside of the classroom. Start to build your connections, meet new people, join new clubs, and most importantly, never be afraid to put yourself out there.
College has not been a walk in the park, but with a tenacious attitude, it has made my experiences enjoyable. Today, I enjoy waking up every day to make myself a better, smarter, stronger person. These four short years in college are the building blocks of our entire futures, and we need to make the best of them.