- Name:
- Vanessa Martinez
- Major:
- Communications
- Minor:
- Public Relations
- Year:
- Junior
- Home:
- Madison, WI
One of the toughest skills I have had to learn, since beginning my college career at UWP has been time management. It is often difficult to stay focused on schoolwork when your friends are living next door. I have learned to manage my time by being involved in a multitude of student organizations. Having previously served as an executive board member of both Student Organization of Latinos (SOL) and Black Student Union (BSU), I have learned how to juggle two totally different groups and leadership roles. Whether it is bowling with SOL and BSU or going to a movie, anyone can have fun as long as they learn time management skills.
My involvement with the Multicultural Educational Resource Center (MERC) has been an awesome experience. Besides educational programs, they offer a variety of activities, such as study tables, to help students succeed at UWP. Last year I was the vice-president of SOL and secretary of BSU, two student run organizations sponsored by MERC. One of the best experiences I have had with SOL was attending the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Conference. At this conference I was able to hear many Hispanic leaders speak about their leadership positions and how they got there. It was great to see so many successful Latinos/as and other college students who have already achieved so much!
This summer I was able to work as a peer advisor with the UWP Prospective Student Services. This was a great opportunity to help new students make the transition from high school to college. I decided to become a peer advisor because I remembered how difficult it was for me when I came for my first college registration. My peer advisor made me feel confident and relaxed about the process. I wanted to help prospective students feel as comfortable as I was made to feel when I came to UWP. I loved working on campus because I get to interact with so many different faculty members. UWP student job opportunities are a great way for students to meet other campus faculty members and to interact with different students every day.