Faculty Help

I have actually been trying to make as many connections with the faculty within my majors as possible already. I know the importance of this because it would look bad if I handed in a recommendation letter from my high school teachers rather than my college professors. Granted, since I am still a freshmen, I might be able to get away with this, but I am not willing to take the chance. Scholarships are very important to me. So far, I have about three professors and one advisor who I could count on. These are the professors within my major who I have decided would make the biggest impact on my career at Iowa State. I really have a lot I could learn from them.

Since I am double majoring, I have been making connections within both departements. My primary major is Agricultural Engineering with an emphasis in environmental systems. My advisor in that major is Sue Z. She followed my blog while I was in China. She has also made a point of getting to know all of her students. Therefore, she knows that I am a well-rounded student who can take on a lot of things. The first professor is the Amy Kaleita-Forbes. I am doing research for her. She followed my blog while I was in China and offered me a job with her when I returned. I see her every week, and I have learned a lot from her. She knows I am a hard worker and that I go above and beyond what is asked of me.

My second major is Global Resource Systems. It is a brand new major at Iowa State this year. Therefore, the faculty is very close with the students since it is so small. My advisor and one of the one of the professors within GRS is Dr. Gail Nonnecke. She is one of the most distinguished women at Iowa State. I am very lucky to have her. She knows me at a personal level and knows what I have accomplished. The fourth faculty member I have made a connection with is Dr. David Acker. He is the associate dean of the Ag College. He is also very distinguished. He actually wrote a book for the United Nations about the topic of the class he is teaching us, Challenges to the Rural Poor. I have talked with him quite a bit about my experiences abroad. He also knows how passionate and involved I have been in this major.

Connections are very important. "Its not what you know or even who you know, its who knows you." This is very true because students have to make such an impression on people that when a good opportunity rolls around, someone will recommend you for it. The connections I have made within my majors are going to be very beneficial to me. Not only do they have power, but they also have knowledge that they are eager and willing to share with me. This aspect is the most important because I love listening to other people and learning about what they already know or experienced.