Jake Rust, a senior at DePauw, is a driven student headed for a bright future. He is both a Management Fellow and ITAP student on a mission to achieve real world work experience to set him apart after graduation. This soon to be graduate is very involved on campus, participating in many philanthropies and events as a brother of Phi Delta Theta. He is also the student coordinator of an elementary math program at the Putnam County Community Center.
Her Campus: Sounds like you are a busy guy on campus. What made you choose to spend an entire semester away?
Jake Rust: Having the opportunity to move away and get real world work experience seemed too good to pass up. Even though I love DePauw, I decided to spend a semester off campus because I knew it would be such a unique opportunity.
HC: So tell us a little bit about what your time in Miami was like last semester.
JR: My time in Miami was amazing. I was there for my 15-week management fellow internship with Independent Purchasing Cooperative. I really enjoyed working for IPC, and Miami is a great place to live as a young adult.
HC: What was the best part about your time off campus?
JR: I loved truly being on my own for the first time. College is great because you move away from home and live on your own, but you are still in a bubble surrounded by people your age. Moving to Miami was completely different than moving to college, and I really liked that.
HC: How did you spend your free time while in Miami?
JR: Almost anything outside! The weather was amazing so I loved going to South Beach or out on the water. I also made friends with some UM students so I enjoyed going out with them on the weekends.
HC: Sounds like a lot of fun in the sun. What was the hardest part about being away from campus?
JR: I think being away from all of your friends is a little difficult at times. You don’t realize how fortunate you are to have all of your friends within a two-mile radius until you are 2000 miles away from all of them. However, smartphones and social media really help with staying in touch, so it isn’t hard to cope with.
HC: What was your biggest take away from your experience?
JR: My biggest take away was the experience gained through my internship. I now have work experience that many college students my age don’t have. This will help me in my job search, as well as transitioning to working full time after college.
HC: What advice would you give someone considering doing a semester off campus?
JR: Stop considering doing it, and actually do it. Whether you are doing an internship or studying abroad, being off campus gives you such a unique experience. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you may never have again.