Page 357 - Keys To Community College Success

student PROFILE

Andrew Hillman

QUEENS COLLEGE, FLUSHING,
NEW YORK

About me: of summer enrichment or yearlong programs and fellowships
I transferred to Queens College geared toward providing students with real-life experience—
from Georgia State University something graduate schools and companies value enormously. My
because I wanted to be part of a pre-professional advisor at Queens College has been influential in
small school environment. While at Queens College I developed a informing me about potential fellowships. The research fellow-
love for research and how it allows one to offer new information ships that I have done for the past two years have given me the
to the world by collecting and analyzing data in innovative ways. experience mandated by MD-Ph.D. schools all across the country.
I am currently applying to MD-Ph.D. schools so that I may earn a In addition, they allow me to network with people who may offer
dual degree in medicine and physiology. recommendations for medical school.

What I focus on: What will help me in the workplace:

I deliberately investigated career paths at an early stage in my Doing undergraduate programs geared toward your chosen field
undergraduate career to build my knowledge base as well as gain offers you the crucial head start of knowing what’s going on in
invaluable experience. I seek out mentors in my field of interest so that field. Just as importantly, it shows prospective graduate
that I have strong allies. I have also built experience in my areas schools and businesses that you take initiative in learning your
of interest. No matter what field you choose, there is a plethora future profession.

Be creative. Take a class in drawing, writing, or quilting. Learn to play an instrument.
Write poems for your friends or stories to read to your children. Concoct a new recipe.
Design and build something for your home. Express yourself, and learn more about
yourself, through art.

Lifelong learning is the master key that unlocks so many of the doors you encoun-
ter on your journey. If you keep it firmly in your hand, you will discover worlds of
knowledge—and a place for yourself to continue growing within them.

Learned Optimism Will Help You Cope
with Change and Challenge
As a citizen of the 21st century, you will experience exciting changes as well as trou-
bling ones. Sometimes you will need to make a change happen, as Stephen did when he
chose a post-graduation path. Your ability to respond to change with risk-taking aimed
at a positive reward, especially if the change is unexpected and difficult, is crucial to
your future success. The ability to “make lemonade from lemons” is the hallmark of
people who know how to hang on to hope.
Use your optimistic explanatory style to analyze situations, brainstorm solutions, Careers and More
and take practical action. With this skill you can:

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