Stephanie Shih
Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Design
Year: Sophomore
1. Why did you join ABSA?
A high school friend of mine was in ABSA while I was a senior in high school, and I remember seeing her Instagram posts and thinking about how fun the org looked. When I was looking for clubs to join first semester, I found out that there was a directorship position in ABSA that was very similar to a job I enjoyed doing in high school, so I applied. Even though all the events were online, I still enjoyed meeting new people and learning about the business world. The people definitely made me stay; I met so many amazing people, all from different backgrounds, but ABSA brings us together.
2. What is your favorite ABSA memory?
This is probably really cheesy, but after Spring EOS, I went out to grab dinner with my roommate and friends, all of whom I met through ABSA. It was after EOS that I was officially granted my title as Admin VP. I remember sitting in the car and thinking about how so much had changed since I first applied for my directorship. It’s crazy how much our lives can change in one year, but ABSA definitely has had a positive impact on mine.
3. What’s your favorite thing about UT Austin?
My favorite part would’ve probably been the football games. (Of course, COVID had other plans.) Growing up in a Longhorn family, I was very excited by the amount of school spirit UT exuded. My parents have taken me to a couple games in the past, and the electric feeling in the stadium was something you can’t really replicate anywhere else.
4. If you could give one piece of advice to your freshman self, what would it be?
I would tell myself that balance is one of the most important things you learn in college. Balance is one of the hardest aspects of transitioning to college, especially since there’s so much more freedom. Schoolwork should definitely be a priority, but in the long run, you won’t remember every assignment you did, you’ll think of the random things you did with your friends, like taking a day trip to another city and back. You’ll find a lot of friends who will show you love and support along the way, and you should enjoy college while it’s happening because it goes by very quickly.
5. What is your dream job?
A job in the Korean music industry, probably in promotional marketing. I think it’s really amazing how Asian music artists are finally being recognized at the same level as the American artists we know and love. It would be really cool to be a part of the growing movement of Asian recognition in pop culture.
6. What’s your favorite TV Show/Movie/etc?
Me and my family are huge Marvel fans, so we’ll go watch every movie usually within the weekend it’s released. Some of my favorites are crime shows like Criminal Minds and Psych, or The Office, Parks and Rec, and Friends. I have a long list of Asian dramas to watch, but I haven’t gotten around to many of them yet.
7. What is one thing that you love about yourself?
I’m able to strike up a conversation with pretty much anyone. I got more comfortable approaching strangers through conducting interviews for my high school newspaper.
8. Name the top five things on your bucket list
Visit Asia
Become scuba certified
Dive and snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef
Go to culinary school
Swim in the Mediterranean