Senior Spotlight
Know a great Loyola Senior who is making a lasting impact to out campus? Nominate them for a Senior Spotlight profile here!
Michelle Ching
Major(s): Accounting Minor: Asian Studies and Literature
Plans After Graduation: I’ll be starting my full-time tax consultant position at Deloitte once I graduate. I plan on working towards passing the CPA exam while working. Once I get settled into my transition to post-graduation life, I’d like to use my free time to travel to different parts of the world as much as I can. My top places to visit at the moment are France, Brazil, Spain, and the Netherlands.
What was your most influential experience as a student?
My most influential experience was when I took an introductory sociology class during my freshman year. The material was really interesting, and the professor I had made class fun to attend. I learned a lot about societal structures, and people’s behaviors as a whole. The class sparked my interest in learning more about how societies work and also human behavior. It’s something that I can always learn about during my free time, and will help me with consulting work in public accounting for international tax – which is what I’m interested in going into. Learning about different societies also helped me understand other countries, too. The class basically helped me understand the world a little better.
Looking back on your experience at Loyola what advice would you give you an incoming freshman?
Don’t get stuck in a routine. College is the perfect opportunity to explore your freedoms, so take advantage of it as much as you can. Check out the city, and get involved on campus. Just make sure to keep up with your classes, too!
Why is it important to give back to Loyola University?
Loyola offers a lot of opportunities to its students - no matter where they are from or what they would like to achieve with their lives. Loyola gives back to its students in so many ways, such as through the unique college experience of being in the city, opportunities to study abroad, having a good reputation for the education it provides, and having connections with a lot of good employers. It’s important to give back to Loyola, so that the university can continue to give these opportunities to its students.
Rupal Joshi
Major: Biology with a Molecular Emphasis
Plans after graduation: I have applied to medical school and plan on becoming a physician. I'm not sure where in the country I'll end up but I'm excited to find out!
What was your most influential experience as a student? My most influential experiences definitely came from my extracurricular activities. I became involved in two clubs right from my freshman year, GlobeMed and Circle K. Each club represents a different passion of mine and has helped me really understand what kind of impact I want to make on the community after I leave Loyola. These clubs also connected me to unbelievable students who have such passion for what they believe in; they have all inspired me in so many ways. I also participate in psychology research, something I did not realize I had a passion for when I first entered college; I even had the eye-opening experience of presenting our findings at a national conference this summer. Experiencing the world of higher academia has given me a huge appreciation for everything I learn in my classes and has made me a much more observant student.
Looking back on your experience at Loyola what advice would you give you an incoming freshman? Definitely to get involved in extracurricular activities and to take advantage of living in the greatest city in the world (I may be slightly biased...but it's true). Go to the org. fairs and find those clubs that interest you to because I guarantee you will be surprised at how many friends you will make through this one connection. It is also extremely helpful to develop relationships with upperclassmen through extracurriculars; they give the best advice and are so supportive. Also, the student-priced tickets available to us for sports, plays and musicals, and other events was a huge perk I absolutely love and will miss! Just remember: your time here flies by faster than you can imagine, so enjoy every second!
Why is it important to give back to Loyola University? Loyola has helped me discover what kind of role I want to play in the greater community. The emphasis on service and developing the skills to be a well-rounded individual makes me feel much more prepared for the real world than I thought I would be at twenty-two years old. I also feel so lucky to have been in a university where so many opportunities that seemed unreachable are available for undergraduates. The students here are encouraged to push ourselves creatively and academically, and I would never have had the courage to challenge myself as much as I have if it weren't for the very open and inviting atmosphere the school generates.
Matt Razek
Major(s): Psychology; Minor in Biology
Plans After Graduation: I have applied to graduate programs for a Masters degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs. In other words, I'm going to be in college for the rest of my life! Hopefully my career will bring me to Loyola, again, one day!
What was your most influential experience as a student? It's hard for me to pick just one influential experience...as I've had so many! In general, my co/extra-curricular activities have had a tremendous impact on my life and my time at Loyola. The combination of all of these experiences is what led me to pursue a career in Student Affairs. The friends, mentors, and advisors that I've worked with over the last four years have all contributed to my Loyola experience. I've learned how to be a better leader; how to think critically; how to work with all university stakeholders to improve the Loyola undergraduate experience. There were also experiences that helped me to overcome failure, losses, disputes, and the like. Have I gotten a little "too" involved? Probably! But it's because I love everything that I do. Choosing just one group to be a part of was too hard for me; choosing 20 seemed so much easier! Some of my most influential experiences have come as a member of the Unifieid Student Government Association (USGA) and as a Resident Assistant. I'm a better person because of all of the individuals associated with both groups and, whether they know it or not, they've all had a tremendous impact on my life!
Looking back on your experience at Loyola what advice would you give you an incoming freshman? Get Involved and Have Fun!! Starting with the first few weeks of freshman year and the student organization fair, I sought opportunities to enhance my leadership skills and get involved on Loyola's transforming campus. From that time, I have had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of organizations, societies, departments, and offices around campus. Yes, we are all here for a degree. However, I find some of my most influential experiences and mentors have come from my co-curricular activities. Those who know me will probably tell you that I went a little crazy with the "get involved" piece. Just take it one organization at a time. You'll meet friends that will be with you for the rest of your life! Plus, you can only play so video games and stalk so many people on Facebook. What else are you going to do in your free time?! As you begin your time at Loyola, I would also say to get out in the city and have some fun! Take a study break and explore. You won't regret it and it will definitely make your time at the university that much better. By getting involved and having fun, you're sure to have a great Loyola Experience!
Why is it important to give back to Loyola University? No matter how long you have been at Loyola - 1, 2, 3, 4 (hopefully not more!)years - this university has had an impact on your life. Sure, it cost a little bit of money, but I guarantee that you're a better person because of your education in the Jesuit Tradition. I gave back to Loyola University because I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given to develop as a leader, as a student, and as a person. Without the generous gift of donors, tuition would be much higher and many of the events, scholarships, and opportunities available to Loyola students would not be possible. To know that I will be able to have a small impact on a future student with the hope that they can have a similar experience to what I had, is a great feeling. The great thing about a donation is that no gift is too small. Reflect on your experience at Loyola; I guarantee you're going to recall some key experiences that couldn't have occurred without a gift to the university!