This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCLA chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself! Where are you from, what are a few of your favorite things, etc.
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Uhhhhh let’s see. I’m a 4th year Chemical Engineer graduating this summer (ahhhhhh!). I’m actually an out-of-stater from North Carolina. I currently am really into rock climbing, although I’m horrible at it. And I really like cats.
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2. What song is the most played on your iTunes? What type of music do you like listening to?
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I just checked and it’s Rocket from Beyonce’s newest album. Although I’m a sucker for Pop and Top 40, I tend to gravitate towards female R&B.
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3. What is Project 1 and why did you first get involved?
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Project 1 is a community service project that specializes in working with LGBTQ youth through local GSAs around Los Angeles county. Project 1 is unique as it is one of the only LGBTQ organization within the whole UC system that consist of queer college students working with LGBTQ high schoolers and their allies. Basically, we hold workshops for our students to really develop their queer consciousness and identity, while pushing higher education. We also take our students to cool conferences and events like Models of Pride in the fall, and we recently just went to the Outfest Fusion LGBT People of Color Film Festival with our students. Sorry, everything I just said probably went over your head, but Google is your best friend. (Smiles).
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Project 1 also throws a conference every year called Queer Youth Empowerment Day for high schoolers in LA county. This year it will be on May 24th, and remind me to send you a flyer for it.
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I joined, and eventually became a leader in the project, because it’s a cause I believe in and how hands-on the org is. I can directly see how my work is helping my community, plus all my students are awesome. I’m just gonna take a second to hola at my mentee Lupe.
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4. Where do you see the organization 5 years from now?
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That’s almost longer that Project 1 has been around! (Laughs). But really, Project 1 is still a baby org, but we have come a long way in such a short amount of time. In five years, I just hope to see Project 1 continue to grow and thrive, while remembering it’s roots and where it came from.Â
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5. What advice do you have for underclassmen and incoming Freshmen for their time here at UCLA?
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Oh gosh, how do I do this without sounding like a senile old man. I’m just going to list off a bunch of advice……
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Join an organization that you truly believe in, and become a leader in it while becoming involved in your community. Realize that everything you do here at UCLA is practice for the real world. Learn to balance: classes, friends, balls, work, life, etc. You are the company you keep, so surround yourself with positive people who will make you better. When you are stressing out, ask yourself “Will this matter 20 years from now?”. If the answer is no, then it’s probably not as important as it might seem in the moment. And finally, some food for thought: comfort kills your spirit of adventure.Â
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Thank you for having me Anisha, it’s been a pleasure.
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