Jan
23
Hi, my name is Courtney Chapman and I am the Public Relations Director for the Class of 2016 Council. During my freshman year, a friend of mine and I went to a career fair in Oklahoma City just to see what we were getting ourselves into with this whole college thing. We wanted to know what we could do when we left the University of Oklahoma to be successful in the workforce. I talked to many companies, and because I was a freshman I didn’t think I would get anything out of attending. I thought I was just coming with a friend to see what types of companies would hire Sooners.
I talked to the OU Athletic department at their booth at the career fair. They talked about internships, but again I was a freshman and an internship was the last thing on my mind. I thought internships were for juniors and seniors that wanted to be hired by these companies right after they completed their internships. Little did I know, the more internships you acquire during your college years, the more real life experience you have in a certain field that interests you. Athletics interested me.
A couple days later, I got an e-mail from the gentleman I talked to at the career fair, offering me an internship with the marketing department of OU Athletics. I was beyond excited and accepted the offer right away. I had an official interview a few weeks later, and I started my internship this fall during football season.
I attend office hours Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9AM to noon. During these office hours, I scan in paperwork, create spreadsheets for Sooner Rewards, file paperwork, mail autographed footballs and basketballs, organize apparel, advertise upcoming games and events on the South Oval, among many other things.
For football game days, I work an event called Fan Fest. Fan Fest is a large tailgate in the parking lot just in front of Sarkeys and next to McCasland Field House. I work in a trailer giving away free merchandise. We give out football, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, soccer, wrestling and spirit posters. We also give out cozies, schedules and much more. Our main goal is to get as many people to sign up for Sooner Rewards as possible. Sooner Rewards is a website that emails out a lot of cool promotions having to do with the athletics program. If you sign in at each Sooner Rewards hotspot, you gain points. These points accumulate and you win many items, from gift cards all the way to trips to the upcoming bowl game. Hotspots are found at many events around campus, especially games, meets and matches.
This internship has taught me so much about myself, and it has brought out many qualities I never knew I had. It has taught me a great deal about time management. I work my office hours until noon and I work another job from 1PM to 6PM Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I have class all day Tuesdays and Thursdays. I work games on Saturdays. I have to manage my free time wisely, which I do not have much of. I have to use that time to study and make sure I am caught up with all my schoolwork. I also have to make sure I am on time to each event I am scheduled to go to and make sure I am in the correct location at the right time. This internship has also taught me responsibility. Each day when I go into my office hours I have a list of things to do. I complete these tasks eagerly and quickly, and sometimes surprise the people I intern for at the quick pace of the completion of my tasks. I always make sure I get everything done on time and correctly. I have discovered how much I can be independent with this internship. A lot of the time I don’t get direction when asked to do something. I have to figure a lot of things out on my own, and I have learned that asking how to do simple tasks is very unnecessary.
It is never too early to start getting real life experience in the workforce. I discovered so many qualities I never thought I had in just a couple short months of working for the marketing department of OU Athletics. I highly recommend getting an internship if given the opportunity no matter what your grade classification is.
Your 2016 Public Relations Chair,
Courtney Chapman
Jan
23
As we continue into our sophomore year, we quickly realize that classes are much different than our freshmen year. Many of us are getting deeper into classes that relate to our major. Some of us didn’t need any extra help with our freshmen year classes, but are now realizing we need to seek some extra help. If that’s you, maybe it’s time to look into the free academic resources the University offers. The Student Learning Center offers “Action Tutoring” sessions in over 75 different courses. There are sessions for all different majors! The schedule of session times is online at uc.ou.edu/action. Sometimes, the tutor is actually your professor, another professor for the course, or a student that performed well in the course and is now a certified tutor. A common misconception is that you have to stay the entirety of the tutoring session. That is not true! People come late, leave early, or stay the entire time. It all depends on how many questions you have and how much help you desire. I have found Action Tutoring to be a great way to meet other people in my classes and develop study groups. Another service of the Student Learning center is “Action Appointments.” Action Appointments are free one-on-one tutoring sessions with a certified tutor from your area of study. The appointment can take place in person, or online. For both formats, the tutors are very helpful and you are receiving individual attention. To schedule an action appointment, visit uc.ou.edu/action and click on “Action Appointments.” Be aware, appointments are usually scheduled at least a week in advance. For more information on academic services from the Student Learning center, contact 405-325-7621 or studentlearning@ou.edu.
Best of luck Class of 2016, we’re almost half-way done!
Your Class of 2016 Vice Chair,
Avery Frix
Jan
23
You see the shirts all around campus, you hear that Retro Night is better than prom, but what exactly is Camp Crimson? Camp Crimson is OU’s unique way of welcoming those students who are new to campus. I have had the privilege of attending camp twice, once as a camper and once as a small group leader. As a camper you experience the spirit tunnel when you arrive, learn about all of OU’s traditions, and have a blast as you make life-long friendships. It is a one-of-a-kind experience, but what I really want to talk to you about being a small group leader (SGL).
In a word: WOW. The excitement and anticipation amongst the camp staff and SGLs is tangible during the first few days of preparation. When campers arrive, however, the excitement literally explodes. It is a feeling that is uniquely Camp Crimson and a level of Sooner pride is reached that is hard to top. As an SGL you get the opportunity to lead a group of new students through their first experiences at OU and make them rock. You are a camper’s first impression of this great university. This is both an honor and a huge responsibility. Nevertheless, it is an opportunity that should not be passed up!
I am writing this to encourage you to APPLY for a Camp staff or a small group leader position during your time at OU. There is no better way to fall in love with this campus and the people who attend it alongside you. People always tell me, “I’m not outgoing enough”. Well, I am here to tell you that I felt the same way! I decided to apply anyway because the staff side of camp was something that I really wanted to try. As it turned out, camp is only effective when there are all types of people involved in it. If you are a little shy, APPLY ANYWAY! It will be a decision that you will not soon regret. Get out there, get involved, and love with your campus!
Boomer,
Aubrey Duncan
Jan
23
The University of Oklahoma has much to offer along the lines of involvement. But did you know there is one organization that you can join, not do anything, put it on your resume, and get really cool OU gear?
The Student Alumni Association’s Sower’s Club is an organization where you pay $25 to join and in return, receive a Sower’s Club shirt, Luggage Tag, and Hat. As a member of The Sower’s Club, a membership card will be given that grants discounts at businesses in the Norman area. Members will also enjoy access to events with alumni, and enjoy perk packages throughout the year.
Members will receive T-shirts for three of the home games this year. One t-shirt was already given out this year for the Tulsa football game, but extras are available for when you sign up for Sower’s Club. The Sower’s club will be tabling in the Union throughout the year. Stop by and check out this awesome way to connect to campus and alumni!
Evan Baldaccini
Jan
23
With so many things to get involved in on the OU campus, it’s hard to pick and choose where to spend your time. That being said, the idea of the college experience for me is finding all the different ways to “fill my bucket.” Filling your bucket is more of a feeling than a task. When your heart feels happy after completing a good deed or when you can’t help but smile after helping out someone in need, chances are, you have just filled your bucket and, as a result, the bucket of all those you’ve helped in the process.
This is the main idea behind the Center of Leadership Development and Volunteerism here at OU. This office is constantly looking for ways to help students fill their own buckets as well as the bucket of others by spreading ideas of leadership through volunteer work all over campus and throughout the surrounding community.
This year, I decided to involve myself with LEAD Team, an organization on campus where students serve as facilitators of icebreakers and team building activities. They also serve as ambassadors for the Center of Leadership Development and Volunteerism. Through this experience, I have been able to work hands-on with other students on campus to help improve their organizations. I have also been able to volunteer at several different community and on-campus events and organizations through my involvement with this team. It’s incredible to see how a simple icebreaker or words of wisdom can greatly encourage people.
The Big Event is another organization I look forward to participating in this year where groups of students from all over campus come together to contribute to one of the largest service events in Norman. That’s over 5,000 students and staff out to make a difference!
So even though your school year is busy and homework is calling your name, make sure to set aside time to check out the amazing and gratifying opportunities offered through the Center for Leadership Development and Volunteerism. There’s no better way to fill your bucket than by volunteering your time to better OU and our surrounding community!
Your 2016 Class Council Chair,
Ashley Leisten
Jan
15
Now that the spring semester is upon us, welcome back Class of 2016! Hope you all had a great winter break. It’s time to get back into your daily college routine. Only one semester separates us from finishing one year of college! It’s going to be a great year. I wish you all the best for the upcoming semester! Remember to be safe, study hard, and have fun.
– Avik Mukherjee, Chair, Class of 2016 Council
