Anuska, the muse of a future dentist

Two years ago, I found myself in my father’s childhood hometown. Unlike the carefree cows, I was always on edge as I explored the chaos of this unfamiliar environment. One day on one of my treks, the constant commotion and noise were suddenly parted by towering, yellow arches that sprang up suddenly amongst the chaos. Meant to evoke the rising sun, the optimistic gate seemed to serve as a barrier from the outside world. Within the gates of the Civil Hospital, lay the virgin hopes of a new day. Outside the hospital grounds poverty and suffering were routine, but in the clinic, there was only happiness, hope and strength.

From new sights and sounds, to unique smells and tastes, everything in India is an exploration. A child came up to me gaping. From just one look, I could tell we were the same yet completely different. Our clothes and even our teeth were worlds apart. This child along with many others suffered from cleft palate: a congenital split in the roof of the mouth. This severe birth defect affects physical, vocal and nasal development, but even though these children were struggling, they never showed it once.  Coming from impoverished families with nothing but their deformities, these beautiful children still had shining smiles that lit up the room. I spent my next three weeks volunteering to care for children with cleft palate.

Amongst these children there was a little girl; despite our different cultures she was playing with the same tea cup I once had and I was immediately drawn to her. I grew very fond of Anuska, this goofy six-year old girl with the biggest dimples and whose kind personality I absolutely adored. Her birthday was around the corner so I asked her what she wanted. She simply stated, “I want trucks of food. I want to make sure that every child in India can go to bed with a full belly.” Her response completely shocked me. This little girl wasn’t asking me for Barbies, video games, or clothes. She was asking for a cure! I wondered if I could find any child back home with such a big heart and dream.

I promised myself from this moment on, that I would do everything I could to help children suffering from dental conditions. If a little girl with so little could have such passion and dedication, I know that nothing can stand in my way of becoming a dentist. I hope that one day I can go back to India and help children like Anuska, but in the meantime I’ve come to realize that we who have absolutely everything will still continue to crave for more. These children with nothing but love in their hearts, strength in their souls, and big dreams will be triumphant role models for a brighter tomorrow. These little ones left me with a big smile on my face and everlasting memories forever etched in my being. They left me with a newfound strength and positive view on life that will be with me a long time. This journey taught me that a nation will eventually be known for all the things that make it beautiful like inner happiness, eternal hope and ideas of simple living and high thinking.

I thought I would share this story, because you never know how an experience can shape you. This one trip opened my eyes and helped me to decide on my future career path as a dentist. It’s important to try and experience new things since today is just where your book begins, and the rest is still unwritten.

-Serena Ghodasra

Stressing out because of midterms? Well don't!

With mid-terms coming up next week most people are already studying and stressing out, well here, I'll give you guys a few tips to ace that exam:

Know yourself and work for yourself, some people need to start studying 3 nights before, some just the night before, (I myself get very early the same day and study before the test). The point is, we all learn differently, some of us need to go over thing 7 times, others just get it faster, but whatever you need to do to feel prepared for that exam do it.

Be well rested, some people think that studying the whole night before the exam is going to help them with it... actually for most cases its gonna harm their grade. To put it in very simplistic terms: lack of sleep= lack of alertness and concentration in the brain; lack of alertness and concentration in the brain= lack of good grade...

    Do yourself a favor and don't be this guy

Don't procrastinate (in most cases), if you know your the kind of person that needs to study 3 days before the exam do it, if in the past studying just the day before hasn't worked for you why do you think this time will be different? well actually there's about a 1.3% possibility that this time is different, but you don't wanna take the risk, do you?

Finally and most importantly: Be confident, I mean you have been going to this class for months, of course you can respond 50 multiple choice questions, or elaborate a 2 paragraph argument. The worst thing you can do is to be nervous and stressed (and not only for exams, but thats a topic for another day), I know it's easier said that done, but try it, and you'll see the difference, do whatever you need to do to chill out. Whether is meditating or listening to your favorite justin bieber song (hey dude I don't judge). But from my personal experience being calm is the best thing you can do to be prepared for an exam.

So let's go tear up those exams sharks!! (I had to do this shark reference against my will to not get fired )

Vanessa Matamoros, the Office's Veteran

I have been a career ambassador for over three years now and I can honestly say it has been one of my greatest experiences while being a student here at NSU. Through my time as a career ambassador, I have learned to adapt to situations and be prepared for any type of student that approaches me. I am hoping to enter the dental profession someday and the teamwork and communication skills I have acquired in this position will serve me a great deal when I need to work with patients and adapt to their specific needs.

Through my years of working as a career ambassador, I have earned the position of Lead Career Ambassador. I have had the pleasure of working with an amazing group of individuals on the CA team who are motivated and committed to improving the program and promoting for the office. My position as leader of this group has involved delegating duties, which was not always an easy task for me. When I began the CA program, I preferred completing duties on my own because I did not want to bother the other CAs. However, I quickly learned that this added more stress to my life and was not an efficient way to do my job. By learning to communicate with the other CAs, I found the value in compromising and negotiating so that everyone felt that their voice was heard.

It is very common for me to receive questions about my experiences at NSU after I inform the students about the office’s resources. This is my favorite part about being a career ambassador because I am able to build rapport with students and make them feel more comfortable about asking me questions. As a Biology student, I am able to connect with a large population of students on campus and answer questions that I have learned throughout my four years here, specifically about interview skills, personal statements, and research opportunities. I have been very fortunate to have found mentors over the years who have helped me with my professional development and academic planning. I highly encourage students to do the same and begin building a relationship with faculty members early in their undergraduate program. As a career ambassador, I hope to be a “buddy” and mentor to students who need guidance but do not know who to turn to for answers.

Chiara Brown, a short story about success

            Who better to tell the story than someone who works in the office. As a second year student here is my personal success story. I came to college because I knew I needed to and eventually along the way I would figure out what I wanted to do, start with the pre requisites and move from there. But like many other students I wanted something to fill my time and getting a job was the best way I knew how. So when I got the job as a career ambassador I dint know much about the office. But they have turned out to be more than just a place where I am employed but a family and a great resource for my personal success and that of many other students as well.

             My freshman year I was all over the place, an undecided freshman with no resume, first time away from home. But one day to better understand the office I took the Tieger test (it helps to better understand your personality and possible career choices or your personality.) the test was surprisingly accurate and I knew I had found interest in the jobs listed, speech pathology stuck out to me. So for most of my first year I was sure I wanted to do that, but a few breakdowns later I realized I hated it.

            In high school, a few times I contemplated being a teacher but thought nothing of it, turns out that’s what’s for me. I am now a declared elementary education major on my path to matriculate fully into the program and be a principal of a school one day.

I truly owe my current and future success to the career development office, and am so grateful for the services they offer.

                                                Sincerely,

                                                            The girl who now has her head on her shoulders

                                                                                                Chiara Brown  

Internships, are they actually important?

As we all know, in modern times the American job market has not been in great shape, many of us leave college after 4 years of preparing for a career but are not able to find a job. Last year Forbes.com published an article of an study done that showed the 53.6% of college graduates under the age of 25 are either unemployed or underemployed (meaning they work in a job that requires far less skills than they posses), and I’m sure one does not want to spend 4 years getting a Psychology or Finance degree to then go work at the mall or to work the fryers at McDonald’s.

So then, is there a method to have a guaranteed good job right after college? Well… sadly no. But getting an internship is as close as it gets. Another research article published in Forbes.com showed that Interns have a 7 out of 10 chance of being hired by the company they interned with, and even if they were not hired, or they decided they wanted to try something different, those students are a lot more likely to find a suitable job after college thanks to the work experience on their resumes.

But the best part of an internship is that they are very easy to get, you just have to have an outstanding portfolio and have the right contacts, like personally knowing the recruiters of established companies… Or even easier, just drop by the Career Development Office at the first floor of the Horvitz Building and talk to our qualified advisors. Want something even easier? Then just attend the Internship and Job Fair they will be hosting this Tuesday at the UC, where over 60 companies with available positions will be looking for Interns and even full-time employees. For more Info just visit http://www.nova.edu/career/career_fair.html or call our Horvitz office @ (954) 262 7201.

Want something even easier? Sorry, that’s as easy as it gets.

Who are the Career Ambassadors?

But first, let’s explain in a few words what they do: Basically they’re a group of awesome students who promote and work with NSU’s Career Development Office

Chiara Brown

My name is Chiara Brown, I am from Orlando, Florida. I am currently a sophomore elementary education major here at Nova Southeastern University. In the future, I hope to become a principal once I get my masters in leadership education. This is also my second year as a career ambassador, and I could not be any happier getting to help students on their journey to success. In my down time I enjoy giving my time to others, being with friends and wishing my life was more like an 80s movie. 

Sergio Corrente

I’m Sergio Corrente, I was born and raised in Maracay, Venezuela. I’m a Junior at NSU majoring in Marketing with a minor in International Business, I’m a member of Alpha Kappa Psi the business fraternity, and I have worked in projects with the American Marketing Association. I like learning new languages, watching and playing Futbol (soccer), and I will be writing some of the delightful posts you’ll be reading in this blog throughout this semester.

Serena Ghodasra

Hi everyone! My name is Serena Ghodasra and I from Voorhees, New Jersey. I am currently a sophomore at Nova Southeastern University majoring in Biology in the (3+4) Dentistry Dual Admissions Program with a minor in Business.  At Nova, I am involved in various clubs such as treasurer of Operation Smile, Pre-Dental society, and Indian Student Association. I was also an orientation leader for the 2014-2015 academic school year. After I complete my undergraduate years at Nova, I plan on attending dental school and becoming an orthodontist. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano, painting, reading and playing tennis and volleyball.

Stephanie Lipari

My name is Stephanie Lipari and I am from Long Island, New York.  I am a junior at Nova Southeastern University majoring in Marketing.  I am a member of several different organizations on campus including: the President’s 64, American Marketing Association, and the Residential Student Association.  I am also a Southern Tide College Ambassador as well as a Harding-Lane College Ambassador.  After I complete my undergraduate degree at Nova, I plan to move back to New York and continue to graduate school.  In my free time, you can find me at the gym, running or weight lifting.

Vanessa Matamoros

My name is Vanessa Matamoros and I am from Port St. Lucie, Florida. I am a senior at NSU with a major in Biology and a minor in Business. I am involved in various clubs such as the Pre-Dental Society, American Association of University Women, and Operation Smile. I am also an active brother of the co-ed business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi.  After I complete my undergraduate years at Nova, I plan to attend dental school.  In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, playing the piano, and playing sports such as soccer and tennis.

Sarah Personelli

My name is Sarah Personelli and I am from Long Island, New York. I am a freshman at Nova Southeastern University majoring in Business Management. I am a proud member of Razor’s Edge as well as various other clubs. I am also on the NSU Cheerleading Team. After I complete my undergraduate year at Nova, I plan to move back to New York and attend graduate school in the New York City. In my free time you can find me at the beach soaking up the sun. 

Chrissy Tabulov

Hello. My name is Chrissy Tabulov and I am from Palm Harbor, FL. I am a senior at Nova Southeastern University majoring in Biology in the Pharmacy (3+4) Dual Admissions Program. On campus, I am involved in Pre-Pharmacy Society and Alpha Phi Omega. After my undergraduate studies, I plan on attending pharmacy school and become a clinical pharmacist. Some of my hobbies include going to the gym, baking, hanging out with friends, and going to the beach.