UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY – Isabel Sin

Being a student intern with the OCM department has been a wonderful experience for me. Even though I could not fulfill certain task, but I manage to learn a lot of stuff. And as for being a student, passing on my duties as a President of P.A.S.T. and Vice President for ISA has been an amazing experience for me.

But it’s almost the end. I am almost done with my school life, and the year will be ending soon. Time to recall back memories and make some amendments towards a new year.

A lot of people do not understand the importance of social media. At first, I thought it was just a tool to keep in touch with friends. But now it has been a tool for businesses for advertising and promotions. If any business do not have an account with Facebook or Twitter, the business is losing out a lot.

I learnt in the conference that social media is the “in” thing at the moment. A lot of business have Twitter now, so they could keep peeps in their tweets. I know one of the major companies that is doing that is Victoria’s Secret. For those who follow them, sometimes you get a special scoop on where the angels are or even special discounts and offer. Twitter is one of the most active social media tool right now. Not forgetting Facebook. It is such a good way to communicate rather than email, that people check their FB rather than their email.

So for those of you out there not doing any, you need to try some Social Media.

Hello Virus.

Yes, the flu season is around and I got the virus. I was ill for four days, and I lost my voice. Did nothing much – couldn’t go to work, couldn’t have meetings. Took NyQuil and slept almost the entire day. No, I don’t like the feeling at all.

But I was glad that I had a good Halloween weekend. Came back for Texas and rushed for the Halloween party. I was Snow White this year, and yes, someone had the same dress as mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was indeed a good event and I shall say one of the successful event ISA have. This is the first ever Halloween Party organized by ISA. I have to admit, I was sad that I couldn’t really be part of the event because I have to go Texas. But I am proud of my Board Members. They did an excellent job. And I hope ISA will keep growing.

But we need to rewind a little to my trip to Texas.

I shall say it was a good conference. Four students – Igor, Jamshid, Jerome and myself – went to Texas for the CEO National Conference 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. On the first day we arrived, we were late for lunch. So we headed out for some snacks. And the only thing we had was chicken wings (for Jerome and myself); Igor and Jamshid went out their separate ways. Then Jerome and I found out that we could actually take a train to Dallas. Both of us were excited to just hop on and visit Dallas. With full of excitement and enthusiasm, we walked and we walked and we walked – for almost 8 blocks before we found the train station. The train ride was 45 minutes; but someone told us it’s the fastest way to get there. We reached the Union Station in Dallas, walked out and to out surprise – there wasn’t anything much in Dallas. It is similar to Detroit, where it is a business district and it’s nothing compared to Chicago and New York. So we headed out of Dallas after walking around for 2 hours. We reached Fort Worth and it was about dinner time. People told us that we MUST try Texas steak as they taste better. So we went with a mission – STEAK HUNTING! We walked and walked and walked – we kind off toured the city of Fort Worth, we couldn’t find the famous steakhouse, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. Instead we went to Zambrano’s. It was a wine cellar but they offer really good food. Jerome and I ordered escargot (this is my first time), filet mignon, and also seared salmon. The food was EXCELLENT – better than I thought. Yes it is a little pricey for students (VERY PRICEY!) but it was worth the money.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We both enjoyed the meal. And headed home for the night. It was all conference the next few days. It was not as nice as the one in Chicago last year, but it was still good. Learned that if you want to recruit, marketing is the one major way to promote an organization. Left Texas on Saturday; but I tasted a lot of great food over there. Come to think of it, I miss those food already.

There is always the first time. Today was my first day starting my internship with the Office of Communication and Marketing. This internship is counted for my communication/journalism major. I was oh so excited with the task that I will be dealing with – blog, Facebook, Twitter, taking photos, write, work with Monica Heaton for news release. I mean I have done this a few times but I guess it’s sounds more scary now since it’s accounted for my credit and it feels like a real job.

The first thing I did was tweeted about events of the day. *tweet tweet* I was up for taking photos for today since there were a few events. But today is a crazy day. First I had to check in with my intern supervisor, Candace. (Side note, she’s a very nice lady). Then I had a meeting with International Program office aka Jenna and Ryan to finish up the paperwork for Optional Practical Training (OPT). But, I forgotten to get signature from my academic advisors (both Dr. Z and Becky DeGreeff) in order to complete the paperwork for OPT. So I was going after them to get their signatures.

After that, *phew* it was relief. At 3.30 p.m. I had meeting with my ISA board members, because we were planning for Halloween Party. The meeting was short, but it took an hour. Next meeting was Collegian meeting at 5.30 p.m. We had a short meeting because I had to leave earlier to take photos for the International Author event. I went there at 6.00 p.m, not many people were there. So I waited for 15 minutes and I went in again. So I went to and wanted to snap some pictures. The camera click was so loud that every single picture I took, everyone turned around and looked at me. And I couldn’t walk to the front to take any pictures because I was wearing inappropriately (shorts and flip flops – the weather was so hot during the day).

Next, it was P.A.S.T. meeting at 6.57 p.m. Everyone was there and this was the first meeting I got to host the meeting for the very first time as the President. I was very tense, as I do not know how to react with everyone. But I think it went well.

Time flies and a day has passed. I am packing up to get ready for my trip to Fort Worth, Texas. Will be representing Upper Iowa University for the CEO National Conference 2011. I am so excited as this will be the first time I visit somewhere down south. I will keep posting about the wonderful trip.

I’m out…

Myself in Liberty Island, Summer 2011

This is me – Sze Wei Sin (or commonly known as Isabel). I am a transferred student from UIU Center in Malaysia. I am from Ipoh, a small city in Malaysia. People would say I am a city girl and I do admit; but I survived my life in Iowa. I have been with Upper Iowa Fayette Campus for a year now since I came in Fall 2010.

I choose to come to Upper Iowa University because I love the small classroom environment and I strongly believe if I am enrolled with a university, I should be on campus to experience the life of a student and to feel more associated to the school.

I always believe in active participation in student activities. Yes I am very involved and active. I believe that being a student we should have a balance active lifestyle. Being on campus, this would be the best opportunity to be involved.

Currently I am the President of Peacock Alumi for Student and Traditions (P.A.S.T.) and I am also the Vice-President of International Students Association. I am also with The Collegian and also a pioneer in Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization (CEO). I am a senior and I am doing my internship with the Office of Communications and Marketing here at Upper Iowa University as my major is Marketing and Journalism.

This is who I am. And I always believe to have fun. Here’s a photo I would like to share with everyone on my back from Michigan to Iowa.