#empowernu

[northeastern-jessicamertens]

EmpowerTrip Dubai: Day Two

Three words to describe my day? Young Global Leaders.

The Young Global Leaders (YGL) are a group of Northeastern alum who have been recognized for their potential in expanding Northeastern’s footprint across the globe. This group truly spans the globe, ranging from the US to Saudi Arabia, to Germany, to Singapore. Each one offers something unique. Whether they’re developing transportation apps that better protect women, traveling the globe doing physical therapy, or bringing their skills to major organizations around the world, these huskies are game changers making Northeastern’s mission of global entrepreneurship come to life. As President Aoun said this afternoon, “The owners of the University are the alumni”. This will definitely be something I think about as the thought of graduation lingers in my mind (one more year!). 

The day with the YGLs kicked off with a forum with Petrochem CEO, Yogi Mehta (whose son is a Young Global Leader). He talked about his successes, failures, and running a family business.

Some soundbites from Yogi’s talk (as per my live tweeting):

So I guess it goes without saying that it was an amazing day. Also on the agenda? Sneaking in some R&R on the beach, seeing the Burj Al Arab at sunset, and of course, enjoying a delicious dinner and nighttime city views. 

Here’s a glimpse into what today looked like: 

Not a bad place to relax, huh? 

The Burj Al Arab as the sun was setting. 

The event space is almosssst ready. Just wait until I post photos of the final product! 

Tomorrow is the Empower Dubai event, which is going to be absolutely phenomenal. I cannot wait to swap stories with past, present, and future huskies. Stay tuned for more event recaps and photos!

[northeastern-xandermiller]

#EmpowerNU

Hey guys!

So if you were on campus in the last few months, you might have noticed signs for something called Empower all around campus. The Empower campaign is a fundraising effort by Northeastern to raise $1 billion (yes, with a B) by 2017. I've been thinking about the name recently, so I wanted to write a post about the different ways my time at Northeastern has empowered me. I've got a series of posts I'm working on that'll elaborate more on these four themes, they should be out this week:

Academics- So far in my time at Northeastern, I've worked in two research labs, had three majors, a minor, and professors from departments all over campus. Every last one of them has given me the chance to take what I'm learning in the classroom and make it something more than just the simple knowledge by bringing it into the world and learning more about it through experience. 

Activities & Admissions- Northeastern isn't just about the classroom though. I've gotten involved with groups ranging from the speed demons on the cycling and running teams to the amazingly talented research groups on campus. I've auditioned for a cappella groups and talked to prospective students until I've lost my voice (both experiences I'd say were well worth it).

  Athletics- Growing up in Georgia, my idea of athletics at the university level was always centered around the big football games. At Northeastern though, it's so much more than just one sport. It's screaming for the hockey teams from the Doghouse, it's cheering for the baskeball teams from the N-Zone, it's chasing the crew team down the river at the Head of the Charles cheering. It's not just cheering though, through Northeastern I've discovered a love for running that's gotten me involved in Boston and the world like I never would have believed. I've raced Olympians in Harvard stadium, I've chased Andrew Ferrence up a hill, and I've watched Galen Rupp take down a record.

Alliteration- And last but not least, Northeastern has empowered me to chase my passions. I'm a pharmacy major and love it like nothing else, but I also love to write, to talk with families, to run, to research, and to explore Boston. Some of these things I'm so involved with I only found thanks to Northeastern, such as a renewed passion for writing once I started this blog. 

[northeastern-jessicamertens]

A Love Letter to Northeastern (My Valentine this Year)

Dearest Northeastern,

It was love at first sight. That summer afternoon in 2009 when I first saw you was one that will remain in my mind for years to come.  You embodied everything I wanted myself to be but did not know I was capable of achieving: inspired, driven, innovative, entrepreneurial, and global. Yet you took a chance on me on that fateful day in December of 2010; a day where I cried for hours (yes, I’ll admit it) at the sheer fact that you thought I was worthy of you.  From that moment forward, I promised myself that I would make you proud, and unleash my full potential.

You strengthened me; whether it was in the classroom where you taught me that my opinions and beliefs were valid and worth hearing, an issue I’d struggled with through the years; or heck, even at a Broomball game, where you showed me taking chances and trying new things can lead to some amazing (and hilarious) memories.   Thinking back now, what seemed like little things - mere baby steps - were actually major players in sculpting the person that I am today.

If freshman year someone had told me that by the end of my third year, I would have: become a (self proclaimed) MVP of a Broomball team, kicked major butt at my first co-op, been both Secretary and President of the PR club on campus, created and chaired a public relations campaign for SGA elections, rekindled my love of tap-dancing, joined a sorority, blogged for admissions, gave tours, become a Husky Development mentor, and studied abroad, I would have laughed, and probably cried out of sheer anxiety.  Yet each time I took on a new task, I did it with the mindset that you had instilled in me: to be bold, to be daring, and to follow my passion.  What do I have to lose?

You have sculpted me into a way better individual than I ever thought I could be. Yet what excites me is the fact that this is only our third year together.  The future is unclear, but you have given me the mental strength and physical resources to realize that anything is possible.  There are no such things as dreams with you, only realities that are waiting to happen.

Northeastern, my friend, you empower me.

xo,

Jessica