Name: Laresa Acevedo Aquino
Age: 21
Hometown: Aguadilla, PR
Major: Industrial Engineering
What are some fun facts about you?
I became a black belt in tae kwon do when I was 9 years old, after taking a 21 hour test. When I was 13, I became part of Puerto Rico’s Juvenile National Tae Kwon Do team. This is why I normally end up being my friends’ body guard (haha it’s true!).
How do you manage school, work and sports?
Being strategic on how I divide my time. I am night owl, so I try to take my classes in the afternoon: that way I am not so sleepy during class. I learned this the hard way,understanding that my brain kicks into gear late at night was key. Then I decided not to fight it and organized my whole day around study and sleep time (including naps in between everything).
What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
I am currently interning for General Electric in Houston, and will be doing another internship in the summer 2015 at Cincinnati with AMEND Consulting. However, during regular semesters, I participate actively in an Industrial Engineering (IE) association called Institute of Industrial Engineers. I also practice Tae Kwon Do during the week with the UPRM team.
What is your favorite movie/book? My favorite book is Meg Jay’s Defining Decade. It’s all about how what you do as a twenty-year-old will definitely impact the rest of your life, your career, love life, family, even your personality. It is written for 20-something’s so the language is very simple, even if it’s written by a PhD in psychology. You will find yourself relating somehow to each and every single chapter. Our twenties is the time to have fun because it’s when we are most independent and have few responsibilities. At the same time we want to make sure that what we choose -being a part time job or maybe a partner/lover, adds value to who you are, keeping in mind who do you want to become in the future.
What is your favorite experience about UPRM?
Being able to travel to Montreal, Canada for a conference with UPRM friends, thanks to the IIE association. It was so much fun!
What are three things you cannot live without?
The beach, my family and friends.