Up next is Brayden. Brayden is a sophomore in the Ivy College of Business, majoring in marketing, management and international business. He’s also minoring in Spanish and advertising, just a few majors. On top of all that, he landed an internship his freshman year and started his own business. Brayden, take it away. We all can’t wait to hear your story.
– Thanks, Alex. Hello, everyone. I’m from St. Louis but I come from an Iowa State family. Every labor day weekend, my family and I came up to Iowa State for the first Cyclone football game of the season. There was never any question that I would choose Iowa State. After my junior year in high school, I knew I wanted to study marketing. And the respected program here at the Ivy College of Business was the perfect fit. Student success is foundational to the Ivy College of Business. With a variety of courses and professors with years of practical business experience. Here there are so many great resources available like the Business Career Services Team who helped me perfect my resume and polish my interviewing skills to help me land a marketing internship at Collins Aerospace this past summer as a freshman. Confident in the business skills I’m learning, I started my own company, Riggs Sauce Co. Did you know that Iowa State is ranked as one of the top undergrad schools for entrepreneurship? Ivy College of Business ensures their students do more than just learn skills for a job. They set students up for success with resources like the Business Career Services Team, the Entrepreneurship Suite and CyBIZLab. All dedicated to ensuring students become great collaborators, communicators and problem solvers. Iowa State has it all. Top notch academics, a beautiful campus, huge sporting events and fun traditions. By offering $1.25 million worth of scholarships annually, the Ivy College of Business advocates easing the financial burdens of students. My experience here is helping me develop skills and knowledge for success. My time at Iowa State has opened so many doors through internship job experiences, starting my own company and living out my dreams. Back to you, Alex.
– Brayden, you’re a busy man. I’m gonna need to try some of that marinara sauce. Sharing the resources you have utilized to land internships and build your resume are undoubtedly gonna inspire and help other students. Thank you for sharing your story today, take care.
Okay, I have a very serious question to ask everyone. Who likes a snack break? And who doesn’t love a good rice krispie treat? I know I do. Did you know that Iowa State alumna Mildred Day, created the rice krispie treat? Absolutely amazing. And that’s not the only delicious thing Iowa State is cooking up. Let’s check in with Yexin, an international student studying early childhood education to see what living and dining is like as a student. Yexin, please take it away. These are incredible.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi, y’all. When I was choosing where to live I want a place that’s close to campus and have easy access to food. At Iowa State, there are three neighborhood areas with 17 residence halls and two apartment communities for students to chose from. Did you know that 92% of first year students live on campus? I lived the same place on campus for the past three years. Being withing walking distance with all things is great. When the weather is nice out, I always walk to my classes. When it’s raining or cold there are CyRide buses I can take. A main reason why I chose to live on campus is because there are many activities, including events and meetings. By living close, I’m more motivated to go. Second, there are late night dining options. Sometimes I have a club meeting or study groups that goes into 9:00 PM and I can still grab food afterwards. Every Thursday, my friends and I have weekly dinner at Friley Windows. It’s a great time to enjoy good food and catch up. At Iowa State students not only enjoy housing and dining as part of their campus life, but also make lifelong connections. Students who live on campus graduate faster than those who do not. With more than 20 dining locations, ISU Dining strives to be a premier university dining operations in the country and a pillar of service for Cyclone community. I love living on campus at Iowa State. I made lifelong friends and have a lot of fun at on-campus events. Living on campus is not only safe and convenient, but also provides so many learning and opportunities to grow. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Yexin. That looks like a wonderful place to call home. With the neighborhood community environment of on-campus living and food made fresh by a team of culinary chefs, it’s clear why 92% of first year students live right here on campus. Take care.
Let’s talk about what you’ve come to college for: a career. To do that, we’re turning to alumni, Jocelyn, who majored in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Molecular Biology and was a Chemistry Minor. She has used Goucher’s academic strength and support to go on to graduate school, earn her doctorate, and become a professor. True success in the sciences. Jocelyn, fill us in.
– Thanks Alex. Goucher College was pivotal in order for me to move from being a salutatorian in my rural Southwestern Pennsylvania High School, to being a Doctorate in Human Genetics, to then moving to being an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy. Coming from a very small high school, it was important for me to find a supportive environment where I can learn, and grow, and expand my horizons. When I started my educational journey, my dream was to graduate with a Degree in the Biological Sciences and go to Medical School. But as I spent time at Goucher, learning from my professors and my classmates, my dreams started to change. I never actually dreamed of being a College Professor until I came to Goucher. While I was here, I was selected to be a Group Facilitator, Tutor, Supplemental Instructor Group Leader, and Teaching Assistant for Laboratory Courses. I realized I had a passion for science and education and helping people learn and grow. Goucher also gave me a passion for research by allowing me to perform a summer research experience with one of my professors, allowing me to discover a new dream. As I neared the end of my undergraduate college experience, I was nervous. I decided that I did not wanna attend medical school, but now what? So, I met with my major advisor, Dr. Delahunty, and he told me, “Jocelyn, you may not know where you will land, but you will always land on your feet.” Since 96% of our students are employed or seek graduate education after graduating from Goucher, he knew I would be fine no matter what I decided. I was able to utilize the career education office that connected me with a research internship to gain more research experience during my senior year and help me to land my first job out of college since I took a year before entering graduate school. Time and time again, my education at Goucher College has in so many ways, not only prepared me to achieve my dream career, but to also be successful at it too. Now that’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Congratulations, Jocelyn, on such a rewarding career path. It sure looks like you have landed on your feet. What a cool story about how the college supported you as you figured out exactly what you wanted to do and helped you get there. Awesome.
You are gonna love this next segment. Now we’re heading over to Nick, who is pursuing an International Relations Major and an Asian Studies and Economics Minor. He’s gonna bring us back to a major theme at Goucher: global education. Nick is gonna talk about his experience and how Goucher’s commitment to global education is not just about study abroad. Take it away, Nick.
– Thanks Alex. Hi everyone. Growing up, I never saw myself really going to college. When I was five years old, I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and I struggled with school my whole life. There was one point in my life, I didn’t think I would graduate high school. However, graduating high school and going to college was the second chance for me to better my future. Attending community college before university, not only gave me confidence, but reignited my passion for learning in higher education. Our International Relations Major allows the opportunity to explore different areas of study, from political science, economics, and peace studies. Being an IR major allows for countless opportunities to double major and minor. My international relations advisor, Dr. Julie Chernoff has guided me to, not only what courses I should take, but provided me advice on what graduate schools to apply to, and job opportunities to look out for. Becoming involved in the newly developed Asian Studies Minor has not only provided me an opportunity to learn a new political perspective, but has helped me cement what I want to study in the future. Our Asian Studies Minor focuses not only on East Asia, but also focuses on Southeast Asia, The Middle East, and becoming proficient in Chinese. Goucher is one of the best schools for global education. Every student studies abroad and also learns a foreign language. Today, employers are looking for students who thrive across borders, cultures and values. At Goucher Education will give you the advantage needed to succeed and navigate a growing global economy. During my time at Goucher, I am beyond surprised how much I’ve learned and grown during my short time on campus. One of my biggest fears coming in as a transfer student was being able to make connections. However, not only have I been able to make lifelong friends, I’ve been able to build relationships with my faculty and staff that will last a lifetime. Alex, back to you.
– It sure seems like Goucher has a global perspective covered, from study abroad to the courses you can take. Thanks for sharing your story, Nick, great job.
There is no other city like Chicago. You can eat deep dish pizza, visit a museum, stroll through a diverse neighborhood, check out a pro sports game and ride your bike along Lake Michigan, all in the same day and still have a million more things to do. Joel, an architecture student from a smaller town felt right at home from day one. Let’s hear about it.
– Thanks Alex. So I’m originally from Omaha, Nebraska. And when it came time for me to look at colleges, I knew that I wanted to stay in the Midwest. Having been to Chicago a few times, being fascinated with the city’s architecture and history, I decided to narrow down my search to universities in the area. After visiting Illinois Tech, I knew it was the right school for me. One of the things that really drew me into Illinois Tech was the balance between location and the size of campus. Our Mies Campus, designed by a pioneer of modernist architecture, is 120 acres and sits just about 10 minutes south of the Loop by train, which students have access to through a U pass. My freshman year, I lived in a residence hall that was mere feet away from an entrance to The Green Line. One of my biggest concerns coming into college was potentially feeling drowned out in a sea of lots of other students. Fortunately, the small class sizes at Illinois Tech and especially the small cohorts within the college of architecture, helped me make connections with other students and form collaborative support networks that provided a nice break from the stress of architecture courses and the hustle and bustle of the city. And being among the top 60 national universities with the highest campus ethic diversity with international students representing over 16% of our undergraduate population, students come to Illinois Tech eager to branch out. There’s plenty to do in the city in your downtime. There’s always street festivals, sports games in massive stadiums, art shows, concerts, and community events that provide a nice relief from classes and make you feel like a true local. Being a small campus in a big city, comprising a global community, Illinois Tech offers the perfect balance for students looking to shout and get a comprehensive tech education at one of the best cities in the world. That’s my story, back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Joel, Illinois Tech really does offer the best of both worlds. It’s a great global city, overflowing with opportunities and at the same time, a quiet, friendly, welcoming campus community where you get to know your fellow students and professors by name, I love that. Thanks again for sharing your story Joel, take care.
Whether you’re into artificial intelligence, gaming, or big data, there’s no better place to study computing than at Illinois Tech. Here, it’s no surprise that students can get involved in programs that support diversity in computing, including groups for women in minorities. Imani, a cyber forensics and security major took her first class at Illinois Tech University’s Elevate Pre-College Summer Program and is learning the cutting edge cyber skills that are preparing her to follow her passions. Imani, please take it away.
– Thanks Alex. Hey, what’s up y’all. As a child, I was drawn to learning all about computer and was extremely interested in forensics. Finding a program that merged both of these areas of study is exactly what I saw to do. Illinois Tech has always been a university that I wanted to attend because of this it and computer science programs. As a high school freshman, I knew that attending one of Illinois Tech’s Pre-college Elevate Programs will help change the trajectory of my life. After receiving my bachelor’s degree in information systems, I knew that I was missing a great piece, forensics. Illinois Tech incorporates computing across this curriculum. And once I came across Illinois Tech’s masters in IT forensics and security, I knew that I have to go after this opportunity. Illinois Tech met my criteria of being flexible by offering graduate level computing classes, both online and on campus. Illinois Tech has by far exceeded my expectations with the tools and projects provided by professors. I actually have fun taking a final. To top it all off, Illinois Tech offers programs which help minority groups studying tech, one program being WiCyS. WiCyS opens up opportunities for women in cybersecurity, providing resources and connections, which helps dipping into a male dominated field, feel much more obtainable. Trust me, once I got word that Illinois Tech had WiCyS, I made plans to join as a mentee. Between the professors challenging us with thrilling projects like cracking codes, finding hidden evidence, attending trials, and a support that I have through WiCyS, I am confident that I’ll be prepared to land my dream job as a cyber forensic analyst. Hey Alex, is your turn to crack the code.
– I’m ready Imani, though I might need your help. No matter where your career is headed, computing and technology will be part of it. Even if you’re studying humanities, business architecture or law, Illinois Tech will teach you to speak the language of computing and tech to stay step ahead of the game
Over at the College of Design, we’re gonna meet up with Thomas, a junior majoring in architecture. You’re gonna love his passion for arts and science, as well as his insights into being a student within the College of Design. If you’re thinking about pursuing a degree in design, this is definitely the place to be. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. And hey, everyone. Passionate about the arts and social sciences in high school, I was inspired to pursue a degree in architecture. I wanted a degree that was accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, was a bit further from home and still highly ranked. I stumbled across Iowa State’s College of Design, visited and decided that this was the place for me. I seriously hit it out of the park coming to Iowa State. Despite being a huge school, Iowa State is a tight-knit community with tons of wonderful people. Spending day and night with your peers in its College of Design studio, makes the experience feel extremely personable. Our first year program not only allows students to improve their design skills and get a taste of collaboration before they get to their major, but it also allows them to meet their entire year of incoming design students. This would explain why some of my best friends are from other majors in the College of Design, as well as my own. An added benefit of that first year is that it gives students the opportunity to learn more about the nationally ranked programs Iowa State offers. From my 22nd ranked architecture program to our 10th ranked landscape architecture program and the country’s number three city planning degree before committing to a major. Our nine undergraduate majors and 15 graduate degree programs make Iowa State’s College of Design one of the most comprehensive in the entire country. Whereas other universities might have architecture and interior design in one college and graphic design and studio arts in another college, we have them all under one roof. Which allows for endless opportunities for collaboration, which makes us all better designers. Iowa State offers countless opportunities to find, evolve and pursue your passions. In our tight-knit cyclone community, we’ll ensure that you have all the support that you need to do so. That’s all for me. Back to you, Alex. Go, Cyclones!
– Yes, go Cyclones! There are some amazing opportunities to get involved with in the first year core program. I can’t wait to see your contributions to the architectural world. Thomas, that was great. Take care.
Okay, the final undergraduate college we’re gonna visit is the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Home to the popular Open Option program, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, let you explore your passions and find the perfect degree to career path. Let’s meet Anna, a junior studying journalism and political science. She’s passionate about people fighting for human rights. Hannah, it’s all yours.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. Hello, everyone. I always knew I wanted to fight for human rights. That’s why I turned to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, their political science and journals on prelaw at Iowa State University to learn more. I love the way my academic interests are tied into the College of LAS. I’ve been able to take women and gender studies classes, even though it doesn’t directly relate to my major. Through this, I’ve been able to work with numerous departments to put on a women’s week conference. With the many departments on campus, students can choose their own adventure. Whether it’s working with an honors advisor on an honors project, working with the Sloss Center on ways to raise awareness about human rights or even working with the awesome senior vice president of student affairs, to put on events for students on campus. Students have the chance to meet so many different people. The connections made at Iowa State can expand your outreach into the Ames community and beyond. That’s the real reason I chose Iowa State University. I’ve been able to make connections with my journalism professors and even those outside of my college. No matter your interest, you’ll find your place. The College of LAS is the second largest college on campus with over 7,300 students. It houses the Open Option program so students can find their future major. In addition, it also provides academic success through scholarships, internships, study abroad, and even supplemental instruction so students can tackle extracurriculars, jobs and school. Iowa State has taught me that success is not a straight line, but a road with lots of curves, hills and new adventures. I’ve learned so much here so far. And I can’t wait to see where the rest of my time here takes me. What’s up next, Alex?
– Anna, what’s next for you is a very bright future. It sounds like you found your passion and purpose here at Iowa State. With so many opportunities to get involved and make a difference, it’s easy to see how Iowa State students make an impact on the world around them. Thanks again for that.
Six undergraduate colleges and endless opportunities, but wait everyone, there’s much, much more. Iowa State also boasts a graduate college and a College of Veterinary Medicine. Joining us next is Chidinma. She is pursuing a PhD in human computer interaction and design in Iowa State’s graduate college. You’re gonna wanna listen to her story of perseverance and her goal to make the world a better place. Please take it away.
– Hello, everyone. Thanks for that introduction, Alex. I’m from San Jose, California originally from Nigeria. I worked full-time while doing my undergraduate studies to learn and gain experience in the information technology field at another university. However, I was having trouble finding opportunities to learn more. That was until I discovered the human computer interaction graduate program at Iowa State University. With experience working in Silicon Valley for companies like Facebook and Western Digital, I knew exactly where I wanted to expand my knowledge in virtual reality. Upon contacting the virtual reality application center at Iowa State, I was convinced this was the best program for me. I started classes online in California and was well supported with enough face time for my advisors and professors to help me tackle hard problems. The pandemic was hard for everyone. On a personal level, I experienced underemployment, job loss and a lot of stress. I finally took the opportunity to pursue my long term goal to complete graduate school. I started out slow and I was amazed at the opportunities that opened to me as I embarked on my journey at the graduate school at Iowa State University. I learned I am capable of doing so much more. By becoming a user researcher, I can create tangible things within the human computer interaction field to make our lives easier and solve problems like quoting production waste and manufacturing global pollution. Thanks to the innovation at Iowa State University, I’m ready to tackle these challenges. Now back to you, Alex.
– Thank you so much, Chidinma. What an incredible story. You’re gonna have a big impact in our ever-changing world.
Speaking of innovation, let’s head over to the Student Innovation Center and meet up with Jed. He’s studying industrial engineering with a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. If you’ve ever dreamed of working with a unique team to creatively help businesses solve unique challenges, you’re gonna wanna tune into this one. Jed, you are on.
– Here’s a fun fact for you, Alex. My parents actually met right here at Iowa State more than 25 years ago. And growing up, I always admired my dad as an innovator. Throughout his career, he received more than 40 patents for the inventions he created. His work ethic and discipline are what inspired me to become an engineer. In high school, I was incredibly fortunate to work for a startup ruggedized computer manufacturer. Where I learned the ins and outs of the industry that Iowa State revolutionized back in 1942, with the invention of the world’s first digital computer. Driven by these experiences, I came to Iowa State knowing my path. Joining Iowa State’s fraternity community immediately pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Fraternity involvement taught me to become the best version of myself, physically, socially, intellectually, and spiritually. And now just two years later, I find myself a leader in each one of these areas while fostering new ideas along the way. In addition to my time here at Iowa State, I was able to join the Innovation Fellows Program. This program actually teaches students to think like innovators. As part of the fellows program, I get to work on Design Sprints, where our fellows team works with startup companies as consultants to provide research, scope and ideas in the company’s direction taking on a problem. As part of the fellows program, I also get to lead workshops. Connecting students globally with innovation opportunities right here at Iowa State. And lastly, I’ve been able to intern at some amazing companies, such as Collins Aerospace. Where I’ve gotten to learn the ins and outs of the aviation industry. And Merck, where I’ve gotten to learn all about the vaccine and pharmaceutical industry. Thanks to Iowa State, I’m not just learning the tools to do my job well, I’m learning the thought process of continuous improvement. For implementing new ideas and solutions to take on challenges that companies are facing. You see, Iowa State allows you to grow and innovate in all aspects of life. And that’s what I really love about this place. What else, Alex?
– Amazing work, Jed! What an incredible space! The hands on innovation and entrepreneurial experiences you’re involved with are one of a kind. You’ll be prepared to tackle challenges with forward thinking perspective. Amazing job.