Advice

Being involved with groups on campus allows you to meet other people with your same interests, hold leadership positions (looks great on a resume), and work on projects other than studying and homework. Currently, I’m involved in the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and the Making Our Mark essay program.

I’ve been a member of AISES since my first semester, because I heard about the group from my sister. The great thing about AISES is that we are able to attend the national conference every fall semester. The conference is really cool because it is always in a different location around the U.S. and since I’ve been here, we’ve gone to Alaska, North Carolina, and Detroit. At the conference there are guest speakers, student poster sessions, company informational sessions, a career fair, and a banquet for all attendees. There’s also usually time to explore the city that we’re visiting, which is really exciting because every place is unique and has different things to offer. We spend most of the fall semester planning for our biggest fundraiser, an annual Pow-Wow held on campus. Through AISES, I’ve been able to learn more about my Native heritage, help with the local tribe’s events, and volunteer at a program called, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), that was held recently on campus. Also, I was just elected Treasurer, so I will be more involved next semester than previous ones.

I also got into Making Our Mark this year. I really enjoyed being a part of it because of its purpose. There are many underrepresented students on campus and I feel it’s important to talk about my difficult times at Tech, because most of them haven’t come about because I’m Native American or female. This program was a very unusual experience for me because I am in the Engineering program, so I’m not used to writing so much! It’s been great meeting and working with people I otherwise would not have known. However, it’s been a real struggle for me to keep up with deadlines and set aside time for writing in addition to my regular homework.

Previously, I was in the Pre-Health Association and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The Pre-Health Association is mainly for students in the pre-med curriculum and they do a lot of volunteer work throughout the community. Fellowship of Christian Athletes is sort of a bible study group that gets together once a week, discusses readings from the bible, and shares inspirational music with everyone else. Both of these groups have guest speakers and I am glad that I was once a part of them. However, I am no longer in either of these because I felt like I was more passionate and willing to devote my time to other groups.

DHH was a great experience, but I would never stay there more than my first year. It seems almost too convenient to live there all four or five years of school. I think it is crucial for every college student to live in a house or an apartment for a couple of years. Living in the dorms is a good first step being away from home, but I think the next step towards independence and growing as a person comes with the responsibilities of living on your own. Learning how to pay monthly bills, handle a credit card, clean, grocery shop and cook for yourself are fundamentals of life after college.

I’ve lived in two different houses since I moved out of the DHH and they were both very close to campus. There were six girls living in the first house and there are eight girls living in my current residence. I am very lucky to have my own room and not have to share it with anyone, because it is quite small. I also have the Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) bill in my name, so that adds a bit of responsibility to my life. Living outside of the dorms can be a bit challenging sometimes, but I love being in a house with friends and being able to take care of myself. I feel very secure in the fact that I’m preparing myself for life after college.

3. If possible, try to find a part-time job with flexible hours

A part-time job is very helpful with college expenses, even if you only work a few hours a week. Many people (even those who live off campus) work on campus because it is convenient when they can go right to work in between classes. I hear the dining halls are a great place to work because the hours are flexible and you can get a free meal on the days that you work! It definitely helps save on grocery money.

There are many places to work in the Houghton/Hancock area. There are several chain restaurants, such as Applebee’s, Perkins, Pizza Hut, Subway, and numerous local or family-owned restaurants. On the downtown strip there are many small businesses and a few bars, and down a little further are Econo Foods and Super Wal-Mart.

I currently work at a tanning salon in downtown Houghton because I only need to work eight hours a month to keep my job. I usually work about twenty hours a month and more often in the summer. It’s great because when I’m not too busy cleaning the tanning beds or answering phone calls, I can do some of my homework and get it out of the way. My parents really appreciate it too because they don’t have to put money in my account all the time. Even though I don’t work very often, the extra cash and homework time really help me out.


1. Get involved with several groups on campus Being involved with groups on campus allows you to meet other people with your same interests, hold leadership positions (looks great on a resume), and work on projects other than studying and homework. Currently, I’m involved in the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and the Making Our Mark essay program. I’ve been a member of AISES since my first semester, because I heard about the group from my sister. The great thing about AISES is that we are able to attend the national conference every fall semester. The conference is really cool because it is always in a different location around the U.S. and since I’ve been here, we’ve gone to Alaska, North Carolina, and Detroit. At the conference there are guest speakers, student poster sessions, company informational sessions, a career fair, and a banquet for all attendees. There’s also usually time to explore the city that we’re visiting, which is really exciting because every place is unique and has different things to offer. We spend most of the fall semester planning for our biggest fundraiser, an annual Pow-Wow held on campus. Through AISES, I’ve been able to learn more about my Native heritage, help with the local tribe’s events, and volunteer at a program called, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), that was held recently on campus. Also, I was just elected Treasurer, so I will be more involved next semester than previous ones. I also got into Making Our Mark this year. I really enjoyed being a part of it because of its purpose. There are many underrepresented students on campus and I feel it’s important to talk about my difficult times at Tech, because most of them haven’t come about because I’m Native American or female. This program was a very unusual experience for me because I am in the Engineering program, so I’m not used to writing so much! It’s been great meeting and working with people I otherwise would not have known. However, it’s been a real struggle for me to keep up with deadlines and set aside time for writing in addition to my regular homework. Previously, I was in the Pre-Health Association and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The Pre-Health Association is mainly for students in the pre-med curriculum and they do a lot of volunteer work throughout the community. Fellowship of Christian Athletes is sort of a bible study group that gets together once a week, discusses readings from the bible, and shares inspirational music with everyone else. Both of these groups have guest speakers and I am glad that I was once a part of them. However, I am no longer in either of these because I felt like I was more passionate and willing to devote my time to other groups. 2. Live in the dorms for a year and then get the heck out! DHH was a great experience, but I would never stay there more than my first year. It seems almost too convenient to live there all four or five years of school. I think it is crucial for every college student to live in a house or an apartment for a couple of years. Living in the dorms is a good first step being away from home, but I think the next step towards independence and growing as a person comes with the responsibilities of living on your own. Learning how to pay monthly bills, handle a credit card, clean, grocery shop and cook for yourself are fundamentals of life after college. I’ve lived in two different houses since I moved out of the DHH and they were both very close to campus. There were six girls living in the first house and there are eight girls living in my current residence. I am very lucky to have my own room and not have to share it with anyone, because it is quite small. I also have the Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) bill in my name, so that adds a bit of responsibility to my life. Living outside of the dorms can be a bit challenging sometimes, but I love being in a house with friends and being able to take care of myself. I feel very secure in the fact that I’m preparing myself for life after college. 3. If possible, try to find a part-time job with flexible hours A part-time job is very helpful with college expenses, even if you only work a few hours a week. Many people (even those who live off campus) work on campus because it is convenient when they can go right to work in between classes. I hear the dining halls are a great place to work because the hours are flexible and you can get a free meal on the days that you work! It definitely helps save on grocery money. There are many places to work in the Houghton/Hancock area. There are several chain restaurants, such as Applebee’s, Perkins, Pizza Hut, Subway, and numerous local or family-owned restaurants. On the downtown strip there are many small businesses and a few bars, and down a little further are Econo Foods and Super Wal-Mart. I currently work at a tanning salon in downtown Houghton because I only need to work eight hours a month to keep my job. I usually work about twenty hours a month and more often in the summer. It’s great because when I’m not too busy cleaning the tanning beds or answering phone calls, I can do some of my homework and get it out of the way. My parents really appreciate it too because they don’t have to put money in my account all the time. Even though I don’t work very often, the extra cash and homework time really help me out.