By Santosh
My Experience at Bookstore and Coffee shop I started working at CSM bookstore and coffee shop from August 2018 to December 2019. At the coffee shop, I managed cash registers and provided friendly customer service. I helped students with Web-smart and online ordering of books. Similarly, I ensured everything was well organized and clean. Working for nearly one and half years at CSM bookstore and coffee shop, I got familiar with a wide range of technology products, including computers and other accessories. It was not easy for students to get jobs on-campus. International students have to apply to jobs, get interviewed, apply for a social security number, and then work no more than twenty hours per week. In the same way, I applied for different jobs at the college in my first semester but I didn’t get one. I applied again and finally I got the job as a student assistant at the CSM bookstore. Being an International Student, I realized that I couldn’t start a conversation with other people or understand them. I couldn’t speak english properly. But I never gave up. I tried my best to speak with people with my broken english. I met a lot of people and I made both international and local friends. This helped to improve my english speaking abilities and built my confidence to tackle problems. Similarly, I found that many international students came to the bookstore seeking employment as they were facing financial difficulties. Then I began helping students find employment opportunities at CSM. I wanted to help students and bring changes in their lives. So I applied for the International Student Ambassador position to help students in ways I can. Then I started to work as an International Student Ambassador from August 2019. My Experience as an International Student Ambassador Being an international student ambassador, I helped in the transition of international students from their home country to the US and provided emotional support. Similarly, I provided technical Support, troubleshooting, and maintenance of computers and printers. Also, I helped in graphic Design, video and tech support. Not only this, I was a tour guide and student panel participant. Because of this, I gained leadership and strong communication skills. It was fun organizing events, participating and promoting them. I was an Outreach Team Member. And I worked on a project to increase student’s enrollment at CSM through social media. We made videos of students who have achieved academic and athletic success at CSM. Also, we worked on outreach emails that are automated through Salesforce and sent to a student outside the US with the videos embedded in the emails. I realized that there was a lack of participation in our activities. I decided to start an Instagram page for our center and began promoting our events. In the beginning, we had a few followers but eventually, we gained a high following and more event attendees. I also realized that some students were confused about certain important deadlines. So, I created and posted flyers on our social media accounts about how to get an insurance card, how to be in status while being in the U.S. and the SEP deadline. My Experience as an Online Orientation Leader As a leader in CSM’s first international student online orientation, I helped new students log in to websmart and Canvas while they were in their home country. We had an obstacle in helping Chinese students log into Websmart since google is blocked in China. We decided to send multiple emails to the students about how to access websmart. We also made tutorial videos to help them complete the online orientation. I would even reply at midnight when students had questions about Canvas login. Thus, I learned to face the challenge of providing directions to the students on canvas, reply to emails on time, and work hard to complete our team’s vision. My Experience as a Math Tutor I have been working as an embedded math tutor for Intermediate Algebra since Jan 2020. I teach students to improve their math skills and prepare them for tests. Also, I use strong interpersonal skills while working with students from different backgrounds. Also, I have adapted myself to teaching virtually using zoom to assist students with their math. The best thing about being a math tutor is the experience that I have gained to tackle problems and the satisfaction that I have got by helping students. Working at other different positions at college and taking more than 15 units per semester, I was always punctual at my work. I made sure that every student completed their given task on time and I could see a good result. Besides this, I am working as a Math Jam tutor for fall 2020 for intermediate algebra. And I will be working as a Math Resource Centre Tutor and I will be teaching Intermediate algebra and precalculus. Volunteering at Non-profit organizations I have been volunteering at One Degree as a data entry volunteer since April 2020 which is a technology-driven nonprofit organization that helps individuals and families access the resources they need to improve their lives. Besides this, I have volunteered at CTN Network, San Francisco as a Digital Coach. Not only this, I have been volunteering at ICDR International which is in McLean Virginia. I am working for dalit rights and black rights movement. I love to help people and bring changes in their lives. I applied for volunteering through volunteermatch.org by sending my resume. I got help from Career Services at the College of San Mateo to make my resume. How I got scholarships with my 2.7 GPA? Does your GPA really matter to get scholarships? Take your time to think about it. I would say it may or may not depend on your GPA. But grade is not everything. I was a recipient of 2020-2021 scholarships with a GPA of 2.7 and I was awarded with Carlena and C.S Jum Morris Scholarships. This is because I have done so much during my time here at CSM. Every student deserves support and recognition for his/her hard work. This scholarship will be the first of many to come throughout the rest of your academic journey. My suggestion for everyone would be to be actively involved in college activities. How I increased my GPA from 2.7 to 3.38? I had a 2.7 GPA because I was involved in so many activities and couldn’t give much time for my studies. Later I learned to manage my time. I always had a reminder on my phone and used to make plans for the next week. I didn’t hesitate to ask questions to my professors and my friends. Finally, I made a Dean’s list with a 3.84 GPA in Fall 2019. Then my GPA increased to 3.3 and again I made the Dean’s list in Spring 2020. Then My GPA increased to 3.3. This summer 2020, I got As in my two subjects. GPA matters when you are transferring to universities like UCs. And sometimes it may help you to get scholarships. But do not take your GPA seriously and feel sad about it. Get involved in the activities you like to do and the success is yours.
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