Meet this week’s Campus Cutie, Rubén! A talented, charismatic, and accomplished student. Described by many as a loving, caring, and compassionate friend. With his bright smile & uplifting personality he reflects his love, passion, protective, hardworking nature to achieve everything he sets his mind into and in helping others. He’s known for being the founder and director of 5-11 Public Relations, a public relations and marketing student firm that focuses on bringing the communication strategies to student assosiations and organizations in campus. He is producer of student radio show, “Pulso Estudiantil” broadcasted weekly on Thursdays at 3:30PM through “Radio Universidad”. He is also a Facilitator Student at the Student Guidance Program UPRRP, and was even part of the Puerto Rican Young Boys National Volleybal Team in 2011,as well as the Young Boys World Championship at Argentina.
Name: Rubén Colón Velázquez
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Age: 21
Major: Public Relations & Advertising
Relationship Status: Dating
Hometown: Salinas, Puerto Rico
Talents: Write poetry, good speaker, and play volleyball.
HCUPR: One of your talents is writting poetry. Tell us, what kinds of themes do you write about in your poems? What inspires you to do so?
Rubén: I’ve been writing poems since I was fifteen, and I usually touch topics that have had an impact on my life. I write about what I’ve known, what I’m facing or what I want, so that could be either love or heartbreak, insecurities or success, lost relationships and new beginnings. Writing is my personal therapy, so I don’t aspire to become a professional writer. I vent a lot of my problems into paper instead of shouting. It gives me peace and tranquility when I do so. And it’s always nice to go back and read old poems, as they remind me of who I used to be and how far I’ve come.
HCUPR: Based on your experience as a great orator like yourself, can you give us some tips on how or what does it take to be a good speaker?
Rubén: First of all, thank you for considering me as a great orator. I definitely believe that the first rule is to think before you speak. I rather take a long pause or even a small break before talking than putting my foot in my mouth and ending up upsetting someone. Public speaking is about feedback. You speak, and you let the audience speak as well, with or without words. You need to take time to evaluate their gestures and hear their opinions in order to make your next statement. It’s all about staying true to your own beliefs and ideas, but also trying to deliver them in a way that you’re going to be able to touch the listeners. Also, don’t be afraid to admit you made a mistake. People enjoy honesty, and more than having a strong tone or a remarkable presence, people value someone that’s not afraid to admit when they were wrong or when their ideas own could be better. Finally, just be your true self! Be genuine, and don’t compare yourself to others. We all have a different voice, find out how to use yours, and use it!
HCUPR: I bet a lot of people recognize you as being one of the tallest students on campus, what can tell us about that?
Rubén: Well, yes, I like to think I’m tall. I’m 6’6’’, so I’m pretty sure a lot of people recognize me from walking around. Shoutout to all of those who tell me a “tall joke” or ask me “how cold is it up there?” on a daily basis! (LOL) I think a lot of people may find it intimidating, but it has definitely helped me in my daily life and it is also a big part of my essence. Every time I walk into a room, everybody stares at me, which I use in my advantage because that means I don’t have to work that hard to call for attention.
HCUPR: Something that not many people know about you?
Rubén: I think my height is a powerful trait to have, but I am also very friendly! I pretty much hug and lift everybody all the time, so I may be tall, but I’m very spontaneous and caring! I think it’s something that people may not know about me if they see me walking around just because they see my height. But I am grateful for it, it was my dad’s gift as he’s 6’7.’ And even though sometimes I can’t find shoes (I’m size 15), or I can’t fit in some cars, it definitely has its perks!
HCUPR: One of your many reached goals was your participation at the Communications Internship at Foundation for Puerto Rico. And also, a Summer Internship at Mondelez International in New Jersey, parent company of Oreos, Chip’s Ahoy!, Ritz, Trident, Halls, Dentine, among other established brands. Describe us how was your experience participating in both internships? What kind of academic developments, projects or jobs you achieved or worked for?
Rubén: I have to say my internships are some of the best highlights of my life. In Foundation for Puerto Rico I worked on various community projects in Santurce, which allowed me to meet wonderful and humble people that definitely left an impact on me. On the other hand, Mondelez International was a different animal. It was hands-on experience on the business world and I had the opportunity to develop a project that focused on training the Sales Force of the company in order to increase their Business acumen. Both were fantastic experiences that contributed in the shaping of the professional I am becoming.
HCUPR: And what’s amazing is thanks to that, you landed a job offer for a full-time job as soon as you graduate in 2016 in the United States, right?
Rubén: That’s right! I’m still in awe. It’s such a blessing to be able to say I’ve landed a job in my Senior Year of college. It’s a corporate job, which will undoubtedly open a lot of doors for me and my career. I’m really looking forward to it!
HCUPR: Not only that, you’re also founder & director of 5-11 Public Relations, producer of student radio show, “Pulso Estudiantil,” and even a Facilitator Student at the Student Guidance Program UPRRP. Tell us a little bit of both the organizations and the program?
Rubén: I became a Student Counselor last year because I wanted to make a difference, in my life and others as well. I am passionate about the program, its mission, and its people. After the program, I joined Pulso Estudiantil as the Public Relations Manager, which allowed me to develop the practical skills that I need to complement my B.A. This semester, I became the Producer of the show and I couldn’t be happier, as I work with some talented, hard-working individuals that really help me deliver the best shows we can week by week. As the Director of 5-11 Public Relations, I am truly grateful I was able to believe in myself and make it happen. I saw the need that many student organizations had in their communications department. I also realized that there are not many spaces for PR students to practice and develop their skills. So one day, I called some of my colleagues and pitched them the crazy idea that nowadays is 5-11 Public Relations, a PR and Marketing college firm that dedicates its efforts to deliver communication strategies to the student organizations that require them.
HCUPR: What are your goals for the future?
Rubén: Graduate with honors with my degree in Public Relations and Advertising in 2016, possibly do my Master’s in Marketing and/or Entertainment Manager, Professional Liaison and/or Advertiser in the entertainment industry, specifically in music, impact positively the lives of others and leave a legacy for all the people around me and create my own family.