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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Atlanta, GA | Posted: August 7, 2012
In 2010, I came to Georgia Tech as a summer freshman. I expected to do nothing more than to attend class and study infinitely. But over the past few semesters, the exact opposite has happened. An average day in my life consists of class, work, and a couple of meetings. My days are busy but fulfilling because everything I do results in productivity. I owe it all to one thing — involvement! Through my involvement in different organizations and activities, I have learned so much about myself and others.
I am currently interning with a think tank, the German Marshall Fund of the U.S., in Brussels, Belgium. On the first week, the staff took part in a communications and team-building workshop, but none of it came to me as a surprise. After being involved with organizations such as FASET, AIESEC, and Sophomore Leadership Council, I acquired the interview, communication, leadership, and time-management skills necessary for successful interaction in a workplace. I have made the most of my time at Tech by getting involved to make a difference on campus, but Tech has its own way of giving back. It changed me into a more accepting and open-minded person who can go into the world someday and make a difference.
The people I meet through different organizations allow me to expand my perspective and strengthen my network of connections both on campus and off campus. College is different from high school because you are exposed to people with a variety of interests, hobbies, and backgrounds. Getting involved helped me understand why people do what they do and I am sure it helped others understand me as well. Tech has hundreds of organizations established by students and staff to serve all of the student interests on campus. I consider myself successful at Tech because I took advantage of all of the things Tech offers.
While classes and grades are my number one priority, I make sure to leave time for involvement. After spending some time doing an internship, I realized that I use more experiences acquired through involvement than those I learned in class. They say that experience comprises illusions lost, rather than wisdom gained. I can read all of the books and write all of the papers in the world, but I will still be in my comfortable bubble of ignorance. Putting myself out there, involving myself in various organizations, and challenging myself to understand other people have made me successful at Tech!
