Monthly Archives: November 2010

I still remember during one of our Freshmen Seminar classes, we met in the library and a Mr. Stephen Francoeur introduced us to the many functions of the Newman Library homepage. He taught us how to use the databases and gave us several reliable sources to find our organizations. Throughout the process of this project, our group has been using these sources, first to try to find information on one group, which we failed to do, then we found information on the organization we currently want to volunteer for. We were also introduced to the web application, sync.in, which became one of our LC’s favorite websites especially before tests. We would all gather up in a sync.in document to share notes and information. Other than using sync.in, we also started to use the study rooms. Whether it is preparation for an upcoming project or studying for a test, we would hit the study room right after classes end. On some weeks, we would use the rooms so much I feel like I live there. With sync.in and the study room sessions, I have learned how to study with others. It may actually be more efficient than studying alone, I tend to get distracted, but when others are counting on you, you want to focus and be helpful.

I have yet to officially join a student organization. However, after our session with the panel of experienced Baruch students, I have decided to try and join a few. I have been to the VITA open house and have already filled out the application to be a member. Also, I want to check out the intern/work abroad organization that we were told about.

Since coming to college, I’ve noticed that professors and other faculty don’t reach out to us as actively as they did in high school. Of course they are here to support us, but I’ve realized that I must take the initiative to utilize their help. I can honestly say I don’t think I ever emailed a teacher in high school, but now find myself emailing professors or going in during office hours to ask for help.

Before beginning the Community Service Project, we were taught how to conduct searches for organizations in the library, which was very beneficial. Mrs. Maestro was also very helpful in suggesting which organizations would be best to work at. I have often utilized the library for printing and a quiet place to study (it is often very hard to get work done in the dorm). I also frequent the honors lounge often in order to get work done or even to just relax in a calm environment with fellow honor students.

This year I’ve become involved in the ECO club and Undergraduate Student Government. I was a member of student council all four years of high school, so I want to become a part of USG. I like to attend the meetings to be informed about what is going on at the school and what events are being planned. I decided to join ECO club because my friend is the Vice President and he said it would be a fun club to join. I would like to be involved in the advertisement of the club, such as making and handing out flyers.

The resources we used for our team project give me an edge in my other classes because I am now aware of the myriad databases offered at Baruch and I will be using them for research for future projects. Due to my participation in the Project, my view of community service has changed from thinking that it was something good to do to being something that is necessary to do. Also, in our discussions in class, I realized the importance of helping others before helping yourself. This doesn’t mean not helping yourself at all, but most of our lives are comfortable enough that we can take time out of our days and use what resources we have to help those who are less fortunate than us.

After almost completing my first semester of college, I definitely realize how important it is to take initiative and ask for help when necessary. Approaching others, meeting new people, and asking for help is not sign of weakness; rather, I’ve realized it translates into being a responsible college student.

The Community Service Project has been very influential in the first semester. As a class, we’ve met people from the library who have helped us research non-profit organizations. As a personal anecdote, Linda Maestro in the Honors Office actually gave my group the name of the organization we’ve decided to work with. Asking for help when necessary has paid off and taking advantage of all the resources the college has to offer has only aided our process.

I’ve decided to become involved with the Ticker. I wrote an article for an issue about two weeks ago and it is something that I would be interested in continuing to do. I hope to become involved in other organizations over the next semester as well.

Researching certain aspects of our project has been necessary and so the use of the library and its myriad of databases have been crucial over the past semester.

The library itself has been essential to me and has factored in to what I’ve learned over the semester. My time management skills have largely improved. I’ve become accustomed to studying in the library and utilizing all the free time I have in a day. It eventuated in my being more prepared for classes and less stressed at home.

Community service has always been something I’ve valued and taken into account. I’ve always has a few causes that have been close to me. Working on this project with a team has allowed me to meet new people and understand different perspectives. Different people view things in varied manners and each person’s thoughts are enlightening. My understanding of community service hasn’t evolved; rather it has been enriched.

            While adapting to college and trying to fulfill the GPA requirement, I must admit that the community service project encouraged me to participate in our community. My group finally agreed to volunteer at Educational Alliance. Before I reached out to Sonia, the director of the college-prep program, I used the resources online trying to find a non-profit organization where my group members and I can volunteer at. I sent a lot of e-mails to different organizations. Unfortunately, seldom of them got back to me. I also contacted the volunteering coordinator of Golden Key International Society, hoping that she would give me some advice on this project. She gave me a lot of helpful information, but because of unstable schedules of the activities, I decided to volunteer at Educational Alliance. Just last week, I visited Sonia’s office and she introduced me to the director of the volunteering department, Amy.  Amy then explained to me the significant events that Education Alliances holds for all age groups.

            Another reason I wanted to volunteer there is because I joined their college prep program before. I gained and learned a lot from this program, so I really want to give back to them. I had been involved in Education Alliance for more than two years now, and it was a great experience. They have many after school classes such as dancing, karate, and cooking. I joined specifically the college prep program which every week, volunteering professionals would spend three hours after work preparing us for the SAT exam, college applications, and career advisement. Their dedication and spirits in this one- year long program shocked and inspired me. I was very grateful of what I had gained from this program. Therefore, I think it will be great if I continue to volunteer there. Maybe someday, I will become the volunteering professional, tutoring another high school student.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve lived in environments that greatly advocated giving back to the community and thus I’ve been raised to believe that it’s an important and necessary part of one’s life to use one’s privileges to help those in need. The very town I lived in was built by a private company that collects oil and natural gas in the area. Not only did this company provide very decently paying jobs for all the inhabitants, but also generously gave out extended and fully paid vacations, provided full medical coverage and built free houses, schools and kindergartens.

Thanks to this company, my town was a place where no hard worker was left out and everyone in need was given help. This company’s involvement in my town’s life, along with the values my parents have taught me, showed me how important it is to use the privileges one was lucky to receive with those who were not. I practiced this notion of giving back to the community in High School by, along with two other students, reinstating and successfully running the Key Club that was once abandoned in our school. In addition I did some other community work outside of school such as APICHA (Asian-Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV and AIDS) and intend to do more now that I am in college. I already joined the student government and am planning to get involved in other projects in the near future to better serve the community.

I was once told that the dividing line between a successful person and a mediocre one was “initiative”. Those who sought support, those who asked questions, those who took steps to improve themselves were the ones that ultimately maximized their chances at being successful.

Towards the beginning of the year, I decided to join a club or two: The Ascend Organization and Wall Street Club. The initial feeling that I got from Ascend, was a warming one. I felt at home, and welcomed. I learned the importance of networking and presenting myself. Unfortunately though, I didn’t commit because the idea of accountancy hadn’t intrigued me enough. I sought the other way, and went for finance and investment banking. The Wall Street Club wasn’t much different than the Ascend Organization. They had their share of professional guests to speak about their experiences; they had the same pizza, and the same curious students. An interesting component of this club, however, was the presentations that the students gave. I remember one that involved books on Wall Street history. I was at disbelief when the presenter claimed that the books drove his passion for the field. I took his advice, and purchased my share of books, and maybe spark some passion in myself.

During the Community Service Project, I sought resources to help me through the process of planning it. I used Baruch’s enormous database to search for available sites that needed service from college students, and eventually found one. The faculty and staff’s favorite line: “We’re here for you guys”. Maria was a great help in terms of keeping us up to date about deadlines, and it was these time management skills that other courses don’t teach. Being involved in this project also allowed me to recognize the connection from one individual to another. When people realize that a difference in one person’s life can ultimately improve the community as a whole, sacrificing time and effort wouldn’t be too much of a hassle.

Even though I was already proactive about extracurriculars before this project, this huge effort and push for community service awareness opened my eyes like never before. I saw new opportunities to participate in the Baruch community sphere and was able to join new organizations such as Sigma Alpha Delta and USG. While this project was forced upon us, it did not feel like it during the process. I felt like I had a stake in the project and a responsibility to see it through as well as make it successful. It allows us to interact with members of our learning community that we don’t normally speak or hang out with on a day to day basis. This project’s potential success can make us all come together more and make us happier as a learning community as well as a community inside Baruch.