Ariana Dominguez is a junior majoring in communication with minors in advertising and Spanish. Ariana is an LAS marketing intern, where she puts her passion for content creation into practice. In addition to her internship, Ariana is involved in the Association of Latino Professionals for America and the Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc. Read on to learn about what Ariana is thankful for this year.
As the leaves start to change color and semester courses start to wrap up, I can’t help but begin to reflect on the opportunities, lessons, and experiences this year has brought as a second year as a transfer student at LAS.
Illinois offers a wide variety of courses that let students explore new topics and challenge themselves. The courses for LAS definitely follow this idea. As an LAS student, I have taken classes that have pushed me and have taken me on a journey of learning and applying lessons academically and personally. One of the classes that really stood out to me that I know I’ll carry into my post-grad life and future career was CMN 396: Communication & Leadership with Professor Jennifer Jones Barbour. This course gave me an entirely new perspective on what leadership looks like and on how leadership is not only taking a lead, but also thinking critically about being ethical, effective, and intentional. The course itself was one that I felt was very interactive and hands-on. I was able to apply what I learned in lecture to real group work, projects, and other areas of work. I strongly recommend taking this class!
Throughout taking LAS courses, I have also gotten the opportunity to get familiar with the resources Illinois has to offer. Several of my classes encouraged me to explore the Career Center here on campus. From things like revising my resume to practicing mock interviews, I found that I was more confident in my ability to find internships and other work experiences. I also found spaces on campus like La Casa, a place committed to supporting Latino/a students and the broader community. Discovering these resources has made a big difference in my journey here on campus.
As I settled into the Illinois campus, the class, and resources, I also found myself joining RSO’s and organizations that have truly shaped my college experience. One of the first ones I joined was ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals for America). This organization is a business RSO that has encouraged me to grow in my professional area. I learned how to network, present myself in a professional setting, host coffee chats, and refine my resume. Most importantly, I was able to find a community filled with other young professionals who genuinely look out for one another and are willing to help other students gain the chance to pursue their professional dreams. ALPFA pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way possible.
Another huge part of my transfer experience has been becoming a member of my multicultural sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc. (SLG). SLG has given me a space to connect with others and celebrate my culture. SLG has also allowed me to celebrate and practice our principles of academics, community service, cultural awareness, morals and ethics, and social interaction to the fullest. I am glad I have a place where I can find sisterhood and find even more of a connection to the campus. It truly helped campus feel like a home away from home.
College is a time that truly moves fast. It's very easy to get caught up with the many deadlines, grades, plans, and thoughts about the future. Taking time to stop and reflect on the type of opportunities I have been able to take advantage of reminds me of how lucky I am to be able to participate in all of them. It also reminds me to continue to make the most out of the community at Illinois that encourages me to learn, grow, and connect with others. This Thanksgiving, I will be thinking about all of this and about everything that is still to come.