Showing posts with label student's story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label student's story. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Student's Story: Dabney discusses undergraduate research opportunities at VT

By Dabney, a junior majoring in Psychology

Video (below):
Michael, Hokie Ambassador
Michael is a fourth year student majoring in civil engineering. In this video, Michael discusses undergraduate research.

Virginia Tech, being a innovative research university, offers many research opportunities for undergraduate students. This is an excellent aspect of the many things Virginia Tech offers. Not only does undergraduate research expose you to hands-on experience of textbook concepts, but you also gain valuable resume builders for graduate school. As a psychology major, the Center for Applied Behavior Systems (or CABS, for short) was the perfect opportunity for me to become involved in undergraduate research. CABS is incredibly unique in that it gives both graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to research under current projects and be able to create a research project yourself.

Currently, CABS has several projects running but one of particular importance for me deals with a movement on campus called "Actively Caring." The movement is an attempt to create a more compassionate culture throughout our community by encouraging people to actively care with a green wristband. Essentially, the idea is to see an act of kindness, thank the person for actively caring and pass the wristband to them. It's analogous to the idea of "paying it forward." Through the "Actively Caring" website and research conducted on campus, CABS works towards creating a more empathetic and positive world. This and other CABS projects on things such as pedestrian safety, bullying, and gossip can help create prosocial behavior and change our world dynamic. The whole reason for research is to find new ways to make the world a better place. It's amazing that Virginia Tech undergraduate research actually gives students that opportunity. Being a part of the Actively Caring movement with CABS at Virginia Tech is one of the many ways students may become engaged in the awesome undergraduate research offered.

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Michael, Hokie Ambassador
Michael is a fourth year student majoring in Civil Engineering. In this video, Michael discusses undergraduate research.


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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Traditions at Virginia Tech

By Leigh Ann, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences
Major: English

Video (below): Joe, Hokie Ambassador, talks about Hokie Spirit.
Joe is a Hospitality & Tourism Management major in Pamplin College of Business.

With everything from jumping when Enter Sandman plays before kick-off at each football game to hearing the bells tolling from Burruss Hall every afternoon, Virginia Tech is steeped in tradition. Hokies are very proud of our long, prestigious history and we take pride is preserving the history for those who walked across our campus decades before and for those who are Hokies-to-be. There are seemingly endless traditions, some that happen every day and some that happen only once a year, but they are all an equally important part of the culture at Virginia Tech.

Take just one step on campus and the beautiful setting of landscaping and architecture gives an aura of history and tradition in the sense that all the buildings are made of Hokie Stone. The cohesion in design and the use of the unique stone make our campus truly unique and gorgeous. Although there several older buildings hidden throughout campus that are not made out of Hokie Stone, today the limestone bricks dominate the design and are used in all recent and future construction.

Students today can expect many traditions revolving around our football games. We have been recognized for our football entrance by many sportswriters. As the Virginia Tech football team prepares to run out from the tunnel before each game, Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” blasts over the speakers and all 66,000 fans start jumping. Hokies standing in the bleachers of the North End Zone Stands need to hold on tight; they really shake. When the Hokies score there is a string of traditions that follow, and fans need to know the routine. First, the skipper of the Corps of Cadets sets off the canon. Then Hokie fans throughout the stands are lifted above the fans around them, one rep for each point the Hokies have scored. Small-framed Hokie fans need to be prepared to get tossed into the air if they find themselves between some large, male fans! Lastly, between the third and fourth quarter of every game, the Hokie cheerleaders and High-Techs lead the stadium in the Hokie Pokey.

Football is certainly not the only aspect of our campus that is rooted in tradition. Class rings are an important part of preparing for graduation from Virginia Tech. In the spring of each year, the junior class participates in a weekend-long celebration when they receive their class rings. Each year a ring is carefully and beautifully designed. The students of the current junior class attend a formal dance and are presented their class rings at the end of March each year. The event is a symbol of both the students’ progress and success so far and a celebration of their forthcoming senior year.

Traditions will continue to be added in the future as the community continues to grow, but there are certainly already traditions that are very important to Hokies. There is so much to be proud about this university and participating in such traditions pays tribute the history of the school.

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Joe, Hokie Ambassador, talks about the Hokie Spirit.
Joe is a Hospitality & Tourism Management major in Pamplin College of Business.



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Monday, February 21, 2011

Sara's story: themed housing at Virginia Tech

By Sara, a student in the College of Science
Major: Biology

Video (below): Michelle, Admission Advisor Michelle shares her experience with The WING, themed housing for incoming freshmen.


When I got accepted to Virginia Tech, I immediately began planning activities for my freshman year, as I was now officially a Hokie. I grabbed my computer and started to explore the Virginia Tech website, researching everything from intramural sports to where the best sandwich is made on campus. I stumbled across housing and residence life and noticed a tab called “themed housing.” I had never heard anything about “themed housing” from any of the ten colleges I applied to earlier that year so I decided to check it out. Hours later, I submitted my application to become a member of the Residential Leadership Community (RLC) and the rest is history.

My first class of freshman year was my leadership class in which my professor asked us, “What is a good leader?” We debated over the many answers to this seemingly simple question for the rest of the year. Not only did the RLC expand my problem solving skills and force me to debate with my peers, it brought the learning experience outside of the classroom. Virginia Tech Relay for Life, The Big Event, The International Street Fair, and Gobblerfest were only a few of the events on campus where the RLC as a whole was an active participant. Volunteering on Saturday mornings with the YMCA of Blacksburg with 200 other RLC members was one of the most rewarding experiences of my freshman year. This community provides the university and its students with endless possibilities. I am very fortunate to have been a member of the RLC and was given the opportunity to give back to the citizens of Blacksburg, Va.

Whether you join the RLC or one of the dozen other themed housing options, it will be a great way to expand your horizons while a student at VT. From the first day of my college career, students that shared similar values and interests about leadership surrounded me. Through the RLC, I was able to become involved in other organizations on campus and make the most of my four-year experience as a Hokie. The RLC provided me with the tools I needed to become a successful leader at Virginia Tech.

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Michelle, Admission Advisor
Michelle shares her experience with The WING, themed housing for incoming freshmen.




More info:

College of Science
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Friday, December 3, 2010

College of Natural Resources Insights

Visit www.inventyourfuture.vt.edu and watch Gabriela's story. Gabriela, a Wildlife Science major in the College of Natural Resources, tells us about her undergraduate research experiences at the Center for Bear Research, which is one of only two places in North America that does significant captive bear research.



Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment is one of seven colleges that offers majors for incoming freshman and transfer students.


Within the The College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE) there are many student organizations in which you can get involved - from The American Fisheries Society to the Pre-Vet Club to the The Wildlife Society and much more.

In addition, CNRE offers undergraduate research and study abroad opportunities. Fiji, Belize, Dominican Republic, Antarctica anyone? If either of those locations strike your interest, then you should check out the study abroad opportunities. In addition, there are many student organizations in which you can get involved - from The American Fisheries Society to the Pre-Vet Club to The Wildlife Society and much more.

If studying abroad is not your thing, then there are many opportunities to on campus. CNRE students have access to a state-of-the-art research laboratories and facilities.

Cheatham Hall houses fully equipped laboratories for studies in the physiology, nutrition, and genetics of trees, fish, and wildlife. Wood chemistry laboratories are also maintained for the analysis of wood and its components.

The Thomas M. Brooks Forest Products Center is one of the most sophisticated forest products labs in the United States. Dedicated to national and international research needs, it houses research laboratories, an experimental dry kiln, facilities for composites manufacturing, and advanced testing equipment for wood physics, mechanics, and processing research.

The Center for Bear Research, which is one of only two places in North America that does significant captive bear research. It is an approved site for research on captive black bears.

The Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center is the leading facility for research and production of imperiled freshwater mussels.

The Reynolds Homestead Forest Resources Research Center is a 780-acre research and education center located in Virginia's Piedmont region less than two hours away from campus. It is equipped with a laboratory, greenhouse, shade house, aquatic research ponds, and field sites.

The Fishburn School Forest is a 1,353-acre teaching and demonstration forest close to campus.


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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Insights: Lauren's story

By Lauren, a student in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Major: Biochemistry & Spanish


Video (below):
Molly is a senior majoring in communication with a concentration in electronic and print media and minoring in theater arts and international studies. In this video, Molly discusses why she chose Virginia Tech.


Being a student in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech is nothing like the college experience I expected of a school of 30,000 students. I saw Virginia Tech's campus for the second time ever when I came to Orientation in July of 2007. I met my advisor and set up my class schedule the morning after I slept in East Ambler Johnston, which was my first time ever staying in a residence hall. I was overwhelmed by the entire Orientation process, as I was in an unfamiliar place and I knew nobody.

To be honest, the day and a half I spent on campus was kind of a blur; it all happened so fast. I only remember bits and pieces now; I could't tell you what my Orientation Leader's name was, what information sessions I attended, or what questions I had during the day. What I do remember is that the advisor who was assigned to me for a day and a half during Orientation turned out to be one of the biggest influences of my undergraduate career. I had no idea that there would be someone who was with me every step of the way, be it with class selection, questions about the future, or even just looking for an adult to talk to who wasn't Mom or Dad.

As a pre-med student, my advisor suggested that I look into a Latin minor because of its practicality with medicine. I agreed, which was possibly the best thing I could have done for myself. In agreeing take a few Latin classes, I connected with so many people whom I would not have had the chance to meet otherwise. I have had the opportunity of a lifetime, getting to be extremely close with a very small community of students and professors alike in CLAHS. I went in day one knowing I wanted to study Spanish, and I have now taken classes in Spanish, Russian, Latin, and Greek. I'll graduate as a Spanish and Biochemistry double major with Latin and Chemistry minors-- not what I had planned.

You might ask, "Why so many languages?" As I started thinking of what classes I wanted to take during my junior year, I came to the realization that I wanted to not only take a class to learn the material, but also I wanted to study under different professors. Because the Classics Department at Virginia Tech is so small, many of my classmates and I became very close from the very beginning. For example, when I heard friends talking about taking Ancient Greek with Dr. Becker, my aforementioned Orientation Advisor, I knew that I had to take a class with him before I graduated. So, with no previous knowledge whatsoever of Greek, I signed up for Dr. Becker's Ancient Greek 1105 class in fall of 2009. Greek 1105 has nothing to do with my major, and I honestly will probably do nothing with Greek for the rest of my life. However, the knowledge and experience that I gained during my time in the class completely surpassed my expectations. Greek 1105 was hands down the best class taught by the best professor that I have taken during my four years at Virginia Tech.

During my time in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, I have never once had a class larger than 25 students. I'm currently taking my fourth Latin class with the same professor, just because I know him and get along with him so well. While taking some larger courses in Biochemistry, it's a breath of fresh air to be in such an intimate class setting. I would imagine that not many people have the opportunity to interact regularly with professors outside of an academic setting; I see every Latin professor that I have had every Friday at our weekly, "Classics Table," during which time 20 or so students and I go to a restaurant downtown and talk about the week’s events, and occasionally throw in some conversation about classics. I've had multiple professors offer their homes to students for end of semester festivities and other celebrations. I truly could not ask to be part of a more close-knit community. For me, being a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences has been an amazing and unforgettable experience.

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Molly is a senior majoring in communication with a concentration in electronic and print media and minoring in theater arts and international studies. In this video, Molly discusses why she Virginia Tech.



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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

College of Engineering Insights: Sigridur's story

By Sigridur, a student in the College of Engineering

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Minor: Spanish

Vice Chair, VT American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Director of Recruitment, Hokie Ambassadors

Dean's Team, VT College of Engineering


Video (below):
Michael is a fourth year student majoring in civil engineering. In this video, Michael discusses undergraduate research.

First of all, being a part of the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech definitely gives you a confidence boost. I am proud to be a part of the nation's 13th best Engineering College. Coming in as a freshman, I wasn't sure which direction I wanted to take, luckily our engineering program is very organized. We have two different paths you can take: the Digital Track and the Design Track. The Digital Track includes Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. The Design Path consists of all other disciplines.

You don't have to decide on a specific department until the end of freshman year, so by sophomore year you will be in one of the 13 engineering departments. I chose Mechanical Engineering because I would like to work in the energy industry; the Mechanical Engineering department has the most to offer within that field. Regardless of the path you take, you will have access to supportive faculty and great undergraduate research opportunities within the Virginia Tech College of Engineering.

Being a research institution, all of our professors are required to do some kind of research, so getting involved in a project is very simple. Talk to your professors to see what they're working on. You might find yourself interested, and more than likely, they would appreciate your help (not to mention it's a great resume booster). In most departments, in our senior year, we are required to do a senior design project. Senior design projects are a great way to incorporate the "hands on, minds on" training received during the first years.

My experience here at Virginia Tech has shown me how far you can take your learning. Freshman year I wasn't involved in many things, but starting sophomore year I decided to make the most of my time. I joined the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a professional organization within my major. Slowly, I started to understand how many opportunities there are here. Hopefully you will find whatever suits you best and make the most of it as well!

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Michael is a fourth year student majoring in Civil Engineering. In this video, Michael discusses undergraduate research.



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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Fall Open House - November 6/7




In this video, Justin, a Hokie Ambassador and junior majoring in Sociology, discusses Open House. We hope you are planning to come to our Open House November 6/7! Open House is a one-day event, so you can pick which day suits your schedule. To participate in this free event, all you have to do is register online.

What to expect:
The opening session begins at 9 a.m. From the opening session, you can attend the various college and major information sessions. In addition, there will be information tables from various areas on campus (including dining services and housing) in both lobbies of Burruss Hall. Campus tours will be held throughout the morning.

Special information sessions will be held to answer any questions you may have about:
Also, there will be two interactive student panels held. Check out the Open House schedule online. Think of Open House as a one-stop shop for all your college admissions questions. We hope to see you soon!

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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Pamplin College of Business Insights: Josh's story

By Josh, a senior in the Pamplin College of Business

Major: Hospitality and Tourism Management


Video (below):
Michelle, 2010 Admissions Advisor
Michelle graduated in May 2010 with a degree in Marketing Management from the Pamplin College of Business.

The Pamplin College of Business is an amazing school for business. I actually started off majoring in Economics, and I switched majors during my Junior year and went into Hospitality and Tourism Management. I have really enjoyed all my classes with Pamplin. They make sure they do a good job of allowing all their students to be very well-rounded. I have had the opportunity to learn in Accounting classes, Management classes, and Business Information Technology classes.

All of the classes offered through Pamplin have allowed me to find what my strengths and weaknesses are. I like the fact that through the classes I have taken here, I really found out how much I enjoy working with people and having that interaction. I learned that I truly wanted a job that involved me working directly with other people more than just primarily sitting at a desk all day. All of the professors are also fantastic. I have really enjoyed getting to know a lot of them and I greatly treasure their willingness to assist their students.


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