College: A Reflection of My University Experience

Today, April 12, 2018, marks one more month until I am walking on stage in the Thomas & Mac Center at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas to (drunkingly, probably) accept my official handshake from Dean Stowe Shoemaker of the Hotel College. Switched majors, failed classes, and six years later, I am finally graduating from the number one hospitality colleges in the United States.

If you told me that I was going to be completing my bachelor’s degree in hospitality management concentrating in meetings and events, I probably would have given you a puzzled look. Six years ago, the event industry was not as it is today, and making a career from planning major events was something completely out of this world to me. Who knew that my high school experience in student council (i.e. planning dances and assemblies) would lead me to pursuing a career in special events?

I wanted to give more meaning to my college experience than simply going to class and hanging out with friends from high school. I wanted to want something so much that it would make my stomach feel all twisted. I wanted to prove myself (and others) wrong and prove that if I want something, I can make it happen. So, naturally, I joined a sorority.

I joined the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority in my fall semester of 2014. The next two years as an active member were some of the best and mediocre times of my university experience. Overall, however, I made many good friends and colleagues in Greek Life that I plan to keep for many years to come. Throughout my time in Tri Sigma, I learned a lot about myself and I grew a tremendous amount as a woman because of it. I stood up for what I felt in my core was right, and I became a leader for myself and others.

I made tons of friends, lost some, but overall learned so much about myself that I never knew before. College showed me how to be confident, how to be a leader, and how to be my best self and live my best life. I learned to love myself more and always strive for excellence. I grew in my career professionally and made many contacts within my work family. I organized and executed multiple events that showed me how management and planning really work.

Graduation is just a bittersweet feeling, but I am so happy the days of endless studying, tests, and group projects are soon to be over.

Thank you, UNLV, for my awesome college experience and obviously THANKS to my parents for helping me get that B.S.!

Until next time,

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