Jennifer lei

 

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Major: Management Information Systems/Economics
Year: 4th

1. Why did you join ABSA?

I kind of stumbled into it. I remember getting tabled to at summer orientation, but I was actually quite hesitant about joining a business org. However, thanks to some new friends (obligatory s/o Tiana), and thanks to a cool promo video and all the opportunities available for leadership, I ended up applying for a directorship and getting it. My experience with this organization has ended up far exceeding my expectations, so I can confidently say it was the right choice.

2. What is your favorite ABSA memory?

Company field trips! I’ve been fortunate and gotten to go on a bunch, and it’s always been a lot of fun getting to explore a city, visit company offices, and get to learn more about members I might not otherwise have known well. One of the coolest things we’ve done on CFT has been, in San Francisco, taking a ferry out to under the Golden Gate Bridge and going past Alcatraz. That and Chinatown every time 😊

3. What’s your favorite thing about the University of Texas at Austin?

How big it is. It was intimidating to me at first, but I really came to appreciate how many chances and opportunities there are. There’s a lot of niches people can fit into, and so many things to try. I also love Austin, and I’m happy to be going to school in an urban environment near the heart of my beautiful city.

4. If you could give one piece of advice to your freshman self, what would it be?

Enjoy. This is my last year at UT and I’m going to actually really miss being in college. I think I spent so much of the past few years being worried, uncertain, and anxious over whether I was doing as much as I “should” be. There’s a lot of pressure out there to fit into a certain mold or be at a certain “point” in your college or professional career. I had a hard time (sometimes still do) not comparing myself to others and caused myself so much more stress than I needed to. So, if I could tell my freshman self one thing, it’d be to relax a little and enjoy a little more.

5. What is your dream job?

I always feel like it’d be cool to either work at a gaming company, make my own indie game, or write my own comics. I like to draw and code, so maybe the gaming dreams are possible. I’m terrible at writing stories with plots though.

6. What’s is your favorite TV Show/Movie/etc?

I’m a weeb (shh) so things like Your Name, Fullmetal Alchemist, Tatami Galaxy, and Mob Psycho 100 will always be special to me.

7. What is one thing that you love about yourself?

My ability to do things despite being scared. To be honest, a lot of things scare me. I remember being intimidated by moving into college, the ABSA directorship app, putting together my resume, running for VP, recruiting, interviewing…basically many things I’ve done so far have scared me before/while I was doing them. But I’m glad to have done them and I’m glad I was able to recognize what was important and face my own fears. It’s made me a happier, more confident person in the long run. I hope it’s a sign of courage.

8. Name the top five things on your bucket list

  1. Get really involved in a nonprofit

  2. Finish writing a webcomic

  3. Finish knitting a sweater

  4. Travel to more diverse places (I’ve only ever been to the US and China)

  5. Get good at bouldering