video interview
Kyle
Year: Junior
Majors: History & Secondary Education
College: Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS)
One-on-One
What are your favorite places to study, hang out, and relax?
It all depends on the weather. When it’s nice outside, any of the quads are perfect for studying, hanging out, and relaxing. However, when it is cold or raining, I like to go to Espresso Royale, a library, or the student union. Depending on what I need to get done, I can study, hang out or relax at any of these places. All are perfect for hanging out or relaxing in between classes, or meeting with friends to work in groups, or to just have a cup of coffee and breathe.
What clubs or organizations on campus are you involved with?
I play softball and flag football intramurals through Campus Recreation. Both are a lot of fun, playing under the lights with your friends is tough to beat. Also, I’m a member of Phi Alpha Theta, which is the history honors fraternity/club. In addition to just watching historical movies, such as 300, we try to expose our members and fellow students to the fascinating world of history. I started a tutoring program through PAT where all 100-level survey students can come in and get help on writing papers, doing IDs and any other aspect of history.
Why and how did you choose your major?
I knew coming into college what I wanted to do. I love interacting with people, making that human-to-human connection, and just helping people. Teaching was the clear career path for me. I love history as much as I enjoy teaching, so it was a natural fit for me. I want a career that feels like my “work” is meaningful and enjoyable; teaching allows me to live that kind of life.
Describe your most memorable experience at Illinois.
One of my keepsake memories of Illinois was opening the letter saying that I had gotten into the University itself and the second letter saying that I had gotten into the secondary education program. My dreams were coming true. I was going to a great college and going to be able to pursue my dreams. The second was my freshman year Dad’s Day Weekend football game against Wisconsin. My dad never went to college. Now, he never fails to brag about how his son goes to school at Illinois when a customer walks into his barbershop. And on that day, seeing the campus, the alumni, the stadium and everything else I could see that in an indirect way, he was going to college too. The look on his face was something I’ll never forget, he’s never been one to say how he feels, but that day and whenever he comes to campus, it is written all over his face.
What is your advice to prospective students?
College is what you make of it. You are given every opportunity in the world and you can pursue anything you want. If you just sit back and do nothing, it is not going to be that special and it’s not going to be that much fun. No one is going to make you do anything, but they are going to offer you everything. It’s up to you to take it and pursue it. If you do, it will be the most eye-opening and best time of your life.
Video Interview
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