Author: j.coburn

Scrambling in the mist of the semester to get myself ready for all my midterm exams, I am stressed, lost, and clueless as to how to get that little bit of extra review in for the exam that next day. So on Wednesday, November 6 I decided to give the SACC a try. When I first arrived, I was worried that this tutor wasn’t going to be ready. I kept on thinking how can a student that was only born 2 years before me actually know this stuff? So I finally come across my tutor assigned to me for the hour, her name was Wenting. She seemed nice and quiet so I sat down not knowing what to expect from there. As soon as I took out my test questions, she immediately knew what to do. I couldn’t believe it, I could not get passed how someone only two years older than me knows this stuff, and even has the slightest brain interest to keep informed on this; but I guess when your school’s paying you $15 per hour, you’ll astronomy if they ask you to. My Professor I respect but teaches the content differently, so hearing Wenting explain what it is I needed to know was literally as clear as a whistle. In 5 minutes, I had a much stronger understanding of what I needed to do and even attempted to help my friend since I was able to so quickly attain what she meant. Once it got to the end of my hour, I literally wanted to cry because I felt like a kid that never wants to leave the birthday party. Being there was just so insightful that I wanted to keep asking questions, keep on learning since I felt I was in such good hands there. Wenting was wonderful and I wish I had only gone there sooner.

 

On Tuesday, September 28, I was very excited about attending the Baruch College Club Fair, not only as a prospective member, but as a leader of the Mock Trial program at Baruch College. I had dreamed of this moment ever since I visited Baruch, to be able to be a leader of a program at Baruch, especially of the Mock Trial team, which has everything to do with my dreams of being a lawyer and utilizing the resources around me at this school. Unlike most students, I got the chance to see what it is like to be a leader representing a program. When doing so, I soon realized that there is a lot of pressure around having to represent an organization and be able to clearly indicate a strong message to encourage people to jump on board with your passions. In simple words, I gained so much respect for sales people since selling something isn’t as easy as it seems. When having to explain, i felt confident but also a little of anxiety. Why? Because I never was put on the spot like this before. I never was put to test to have to answer such an intelligent question. The first time was hard; I haven’t heard from that member ever since. But once I did it two or three more times, I sounded like a forty year veteran of Mock Trial! In addition to just learning how to be a representative, this event also opened up my eyes to just how much is at Baruch College. I never realized that programs like ‘Caribbean Association” even existed and many more. The point is that it really opened up my eyes and made me think wow, how much does this school really offer. I could literally find an organization that has to do with everything I could ever think of. Going to the Club Fair provided me such a valuable experience from simply opening my eyes to what Baruch has to me gaining leadership experience, it’s tough to be able to have all of that happen in just one event.

On Friday, September 15, I went to the STARR Career fair not knowing what to expect. The night before, I still didn’t complete my resume and read through any the information I was provided. After completing my resume at 2 AM Friday morning, I decided to take a quick look at the email STARR had sent out earlier in the day. I quickly read through the employers that will be showing up and just sorted through the ones I see myself fit at that would offer internships in the legal industry or something to do with the City of New York. I happen to come across NYC Department of Investigations and just put it at the bottom of my list of things to peak at when I am finished. I found some interest in the other five companies I came across, but when I got to NYC Department of Investigations, I was surprised. What surprised me was how exciting this organization seemed to me. I just could not stop reading through all the Squads and what there responsibilities are. Along with this, I kept on recalling of all the investigations that there office ran which I saw. As I was reading, I started envisioning myself like I never before; I kept thinking of me truly enjoying myself. I felt as if I truly found my perfect career option, this satisfied both my desires to work with law while being directly involved in the issues that effect New York City. So that night, I went to bed excited and envisioning this future I was passionate about. When I showed up to the fair, I thought I might speak with different people for a minute and that would be that.  Speaking with the State of New York and TD Bank were just what I expected, a quick one minute pitch and handed papers. When I finally went over to the NYC Department of Investigations, I got anxious because I felt this was my one opportunity to sell myself. I took a deep breath and then went over. I walked over and the representative was very blunt, straight up and intimidating; for some reason, I just came out with my pitch confidently that I practiced for 1 minute total. All the sudden, he asks me and the two others next to me, “Why do you want to work for us? What do you know about us?” I gave my answer and he just looked at us like confused, all the sudden, he says “I don’t usually take Freshman’s and Sophomore’s, but Joseph, I like the way you articulate yourself.” The feeling I had at that moment I can’t even begin to put in words; all I can say is that I was so excited and in shock. I never felt happier in my life and more confident in myself. The next minute later, I ask him questions and he was just so impressed, I could not believe it. I was even more excited when I saw him put a star on my resume. I happen to look at my watch and realize I spent 35 minutes with this one organization, I felt as if I found my dream internship and dream career so I didn’t need to speak with another organization. After walking out, I immediately called my parents and texted my Uncle and shared just how excited I was. I felt as if this was the most exciting day of my life. What I was taught by today is to always be ready, be open, and just take things one moment at a time. http://<a href=”http://tinypic.com?ref=2zpl5io” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://i64.tinypic.com/2zpl5io.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Image and video hosting by TinyPic”></a>