What comes to mind when you hear the word success’serving as the president of an organization? Getting engaged? Traveling around the country? Achieving the goals you set for yourself? The term success is difficult to define because it means something different to everyone. To Bianca Stringer, the newly elected president of Phi Delta Epsilon, success means taking initiative. Stringer was one of the founding members of this particular chapter of the nationally recognized medical fraternity. She first served as treasurer but made it her goal to be elected president of the fraternity her senior year.
Stringer recently had the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas for a national Phi Delta Epsilon leadership conference. This was Stringer’s first experience on a plane and understandably, she was apprehensive about flying alone. Her time at the airport went off without a hitch though until she reached the customs department. As a first time flier, Stringer forgot that she couldn’t pack her 6-ounce face wash in her carry-on bag. “The customs officer threw my face wash away! Other than that though, the trip was perfect,” laughed Stringer.
Stringer explained that traveling to the conference by herself did seem intimidating at first, but her experiences in Las Vegas made the trip well worth her anxieties. “I was so fortunate to be able to attend the Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Convention in the fabulous city of Las Vegas. As a new chapter president, I am more than excited to bring the leadership skills and knowledge of the medical field I learned from the convention back to the members of my chapter,” stated Stringer. Other individuals consider the personal connections they make with others extremely important.
Elizabeth Tunisi, a senior majoring in social work, thinks one of the most successful aspects of her life is the relationship she shares with her high school sweetheart turned fiancé, Tim. “To me, success doesn’t necessarily equate to a dollar amount or a powerful job position. ” I’m getting married this summer, and although a lot of people look down on getting married young, I’ve always wanted to be married and start a family. I’ve found the right person that I want to spend the rest of my life with, so getting to invest in that relationship is a success. Tunisi explained that distance can be a challenge in the relationship because Tim lives in Wisconsin.
She usually is only able to see him two or three times a semester, but technology makes it easy to stay in constant communication. Tunisi stated that she was counting down the days until graduation in May. After college, Tunisi plans to move to Wisconsin and begin her life with her fiancé. After relocating, Tunisi hopes to start her career but also plans to become a young mother. There was never a question in Tunisi’s mind about being a stay at home mom, just as her own mother had been.
Tunisi enjoyed her mother’s constant nurturing presence in her childhood immensely and hopes to provide her children with a similar experience. Ryan Schoeller graduated from Ohio University last year with a degree in management information systems and finance. Schoeller worked hard his senior year in college to secure a position that he was passionate about in his field of interest. The OU grad explained that traveling had always been a dream of his as well. “Success to me is being able to do what you enjoy doing every single day. As a senior in college, I set goals for myself to find a job that would allow me to do this.
Fast forward to where I am now and every week consists of traveling to a new city and state. I feel successful because I have achieved my goal of having a career that I enjoy. Not to mention, having your company pay for you to explore the entire US free of charge isn’t a bad gig either. ” Schoeller was recently asked to speak at a Student Alumni Board event about success after college but respectfully declined because he will be on a business trip in Puerto Rico. However, Schoeller joked that he would be “more than happy to phone in from the beach to let everyone listen to what success really sounds like! Many students dread leaving Athens after graduation but Schoeller was excited for life after college.
He proved that with dedication and diligence, your career of choice is definitely not out of reach. Vice President Ryan Lombardi sits down every year and writes out the goals he hopes to accomplish both in his personal and professional life. The Vice President finds visualizing what he plans to achieve in the upcoming year very beneficial and even keeps a daily “to do list” on his office desk. To Lombardi, success means completing every task he attempts to the best of his abilities.
This has been his definition of success throughout his entire life. Lombardi didn’t always aspire to be the Vice President of a university; he actually studied music in college. Lombardi was very focused as an undergrad in his chosen major, but found himself drawn to leadership roles immediately. He was extremely involved on campus as an RA and as a member of various service organizations as well. As he built a relationship with the Dean of Students and other members of the school administration at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, they suggested that he pursue a career as a faculty member after graduation.
The rest is history. At Ohio University, Lombardi enjoys being able to connect with the students on a personal level. He also explained that he believes Ohio University is an ideal campus for molding successful college graduates. “This place is a great laboratory for creating well-rounded individuals. Students can become leaders, engage with people, find themselves and be who they want to be. You don’t have to fit a certain mold here because you can be comfortable in your own skin. ” There are countless opportunities at Ohio University that allow students to be successful, no matter where their interests lie.
The Vice President encourages students to become involved in different organizations, employment options and various campus-wide workshops, because these outlets are all great resources for students to utilize. Through these stories it is apparent that success is a personal choice. Each of these individuals made conscious decisions about the direction in which they want their lives to go. Everyone’s path is different but it is inevitable that mistakes will be made and difficulties will be experienced along the way. It is how a person approaches these obstacles though that shapes an individual’s level of success.
