#TulaneSummer

I loving seeing all the #TulaneSummer posts on Instagram. It makes me jealous of the days of good 'ole fashioned summer break. I checked in with a few of our students to see how they were spending their "lazy" days of summer, although you'll see that these students are being anything but lazy. Tulane affords our students all kinds of different opportunities and ways to spend their summers. From on-campus jobs, to internships around the country using the resources and alumni connections you'll find here, Tulane students seem to find some pretty incredible ways to spend their summer breaks! Let's check a few of them out:

Noah doing festival stuff, with a tractor, of course 

Noah Steinauer - Senior, Economics Major 
Where he is: Music Fests Everywhere 

"Since my sophomore year at Tulane, I have had the privilege of serving on the board of Crawfest, the largest, music festival run completely by students in the United States. Encouraged by fellow Crawfest board members, I also interned and am now working for the administration team at BUKU Music + Arts Project. This summer, as I enter my senior year, I am happy to be continuing my work in the entertainment industry and contributing to the production of various music festivals. From coordinating lodging and travel for festivals such as Hangout in Gulf Shores, AL, to working in the VIP camping operations of Firefly in Delaware, I have had some incredible opportunities to see first-hand the administration and production of the popular business of music events."

Team Tulane at Capital One 

(From left to right) Ian Athmann ’18, Lauryn Fulton ’18, Dan Iavarone ’18, William Wei ’19, Kristin Aria ‘18
Where they are: Capital One Commercial Bank in New York, NY; New Orleans, LA; Bethesda, MD

This summer, five Tulane students are part of Capital One’s Commercial Banking Program. The Commercial Banking Program is a ten-week long program that provides in-depth experience of life as an analyst within each intern’s specific focus. Ian is in New Orleans working with the Middle Market Underwriting team, Lauryn is in New York with Treasury Management, Dan is in New York with Credit Risk, Will is in New York with Capital Markets, and Kristin is in Bethesda with Human Resources.

Jenny at DREAM's black tie gala 

Jenny Ly - Sophomore, Political Science Major
Where she is: Interning at DREAM in NYC 

"This summer I've traded in the Big Easy for the Big Apple. I am currently working at DREAM (formerly known as Harlem RBI) in East Harlem as a Major Gifts Intern. Some of my responsibilities include assisting the Development team with special events and projects, researching prospective donors in the tri-state area who may contribute to our annual campaign, and maintaining relationships with current donors.

At DREAM, our mission is to provide inner-city youth with opportunities to learn, play, and grow through the power of baseball and softball. We are invested in ensuring our players' success on and off the field. In our after-school and summer programs, not only do DREAM youth learn how to play baseball and softball, they also learn to practice physical literacy, achieve academic success, and embody social-emotional competencies, all of which are critical to their development. My first couple of weeks at DREAM have been exciting to say the least. Before my official start, I assisted the Development team with one of our largest fundraising events of the year, Bids for Kids, a star-studded black tie gala. To wrap up the end of my first week, I, along with a couple of other interns, were given front-row tickets to the Yankees Orioles game, courtesy of a very generous donor. Although I know Yankees tickets won't be a reoccurring aspect of my internship, I am still excited and continue to look forward to the rest of my summer at DREAM."

Aileen at NVE

Aileen Harrison- Sophomore, Marketing and Digital Media Productions Major
Where she is: Event planning intern in Los Angeles 

"This summer, I am interning at NVE: The Experience Agency in Beverly Hills. NVE is a promotional event planning company that works with companies like Amazon, Pandora, and Red Bull (just to name a few) to plan events that raise awareness for their new products. As an intern, I research, plan, and coordinate all of the details that go into an event and help make the event a success. This includes calling potential venues and vendors, and thinking about what features truly make an event memorable. Everyone at NVE is inspired by our company slogan: “The right moment will transform someone forever,” and I am quickly learning that a lot of hard work goes in to making these events unforgettable experiences.

I got my internship at NVE through a Tulane alumni named Brett Hyman during the Tulane Takeover: Los Angeles networking event. Brett is the president of NVE and was the person that got me really excited about interning at NVE. He was super helpful through the whole process and it's been great to benefit from the amazing alumni connections that Tulane provides."

Katie at Indeed in Austin 

Katie Carlton- Senior, Management Major

What she's up to: Sales intern at Indeed in Austin 

"I am spending this summer in Austin, TX interning for the sales team at Indeed.com. Indeed is the #1 job search site in the world and it helps job seekers get excellent jobs every day. Indeed is an important resource for students at Tulane because it helps many of our students find their summer internships and post-grad jobs. Although I am an intern, I still get trained the same way all full-time Account Executives are meaning I have mine own book of clients to sell our products to. It's such a cool place to work because the work atmosphere and people are fantastic, I get to help people find jobs, and when you close a deal, you get to play your pump up song (mine is "What Dreams Are Made Of" from the Lizzie McGuire Movie)!"

Caroline gets the award for most challenging summer job—putting up with me all summer. 

Caroline Campbell, Senior Public Health Major 
What she's doing: Two great on-campus jobs 

"This summer I have been getting to know NOLA outside of the confines of the school term. During the weekdays, I work as an intern at Tulane’s very own Admissions Office giving tours and helping prospective students navigate the college admissions process. On the weekends, I split my time between lifeguarding at Reily, the student recreation center, and heading to my favorite spots around the city. Some of my favorite activities include watching the Mississippi River at the Fly, grabbing SnoBalls on Plum Street, and checking out all the new restaurants that popped up last semester!"

Antonio and the rest of the OTLs 

Antonio Milton, Sophomore Political Science and Philosophy Major 
What he's up to: Orientation Team Leader at Tulane

"This summer I have worked as an Orientation Team Leader for the Tulane Office of New Student and Leadership Programs at New Student Orientation. In the past month and a half, my team and I have welcomed over 1,500 incoming students to our campus as well as around 1,300 parents and family members. I am so thankful for having this experience over the past month and a half. Being able to assist others in making their transition to college as smooth as possible is highly rewarding. All I can say now, is that I wish I could start all over again, or at least have more sessions to staff. But I know that it isn’t over, my fellow OTLs and I have fall welcome and beyond to continue to assist the Class of 2021 in whatever needs they may have. This past month has been unforgettable, and I’m very excited for the start the new academic year!"

Ten NOLA Instagrams to Follow

kewonhunter9

One of the many great things about living in NOLA is that it's a photographer's mecca. Bright colors, incredible architecture, and some of the most Insta-worthy food in the world. If you are an incoming freshman, prepare yourself for some incredible sights to be shared.

I thought it might be neat to highlight out ten amazing NOLA Instagrammers to follow. Check them out!

OnlyatTulane: OK obviously we are going to start with a plug for the Office of Admission account. It's run by our student social media interns and if you ask me, it's pretty dope. Throw a like over to the main Tulane 'gram too! Our main man President Fitts has his own account as well.

Kewonhunter9: Some of the most incredible aerial photographs and videos I've ever seen of the city. Prepare yourself for some mesmerizing drone vids.

DavidNOLA: Gorgeous shots all over town by one of NOLA's best photographers.

Firewolf.e: Jaye Chestnut shares some colorful and incredible photos of life around our city.

NOLAfoodGals: The name says it all. Don't follow them if you're on a diet!

New Orleans Saints: No matter what NFL team you cheer for, a little bit of you will also cheer for the Saints if you live here. Unless you're from Atlanta.

Mixterdm: My buddy Mike Dalle who runs Good Wood NOLA (another great account to follow) posts some amazing shots of New Orleans' homes and architecture.

Lazyeye: If music and festivals are your thing (and it's NOLA, so...) this account is for you.

JoyTheBaker: Amazing food posts from this popular NOLA baker complete with recipes and a whole lotta nom.

dno.la: Defend New Orleans is one of NOLA's best shops (and movements) for local gear and t-shirts.

Drubui: Andrew Bui is one of the most incredible cinematographers in NOLA. Amazing videos and lots of neat drone stuff too.

Happy following!

Twelve Cool Classes

Your subject matter in TIDES 1175-01

Today may technically be the first day of summer, but with New Student Orientation in full swing, we're already looking forward to the fall semester. Class registration has begun for the incoming class of 2021 and they've got some cool ones to choose from this fall. I thought it might be neat to take a look at some of the coolest classes we're offering for freshmen this year. Some are new courses, some are golden oldies. These courses do not have any prerequisites at all and are are open to all Newcomb-Tulane College undergraduates. Thanks to my girl Dayna Gessler from academic advising for getting this great list together!

Speaking of first day of class, here is a #TBT to me on Tulane day 1. Puka shells were HOT back then.

TIDE-1175-01 Game of Thrones
Are you a Game of Thrones fan? Do you debate Jon Snows parentage in your spare time? Do you hum the show’s theme song without even realizing it? Do you want to get to know other Game of Thrones fans at Tulane? Then the Game of Thrones TIDES is for you. Topics covered include the role of violence and sexuality in the television series as well as the debate over George RR. Martin’s obligation to his fans to “write like the wind.” Students should be caught up on Seasons 1-5 of the television series before the course begins. Although it is not necessary to have read the novels in order to register for this course, students who are fans of Martin’s Songs of Fire and Ice Series (Game of Thrones and its sequels) are especially welcome.

TIDE 1025-01 Karate: Art & Philosophy
Originating in Okinawa, Japan, traditional karate offers its practitioners self-defense skills, while providing them with a balanced fitness system, which includes aerobics, strength, and flexibility training. The concentration required during training, together with the physical exercise, are an excellent way to stress relief and healthy fun. Students will have the opportunity to know people of the New Orleans karate community through guest lectures of high-level, instructors and through their own visits to local karate clubs. Totally inexperienced students as well as those who have karate expertise will benefit from and will enjoy this class.

ANTH 3200 Magic, Witchcraft and Religion
This course is an exploration into religion and the occult. We will examine a wide range of topics, such as hauntings, spirit possession, the role of evil in the moral imagination, and the construction of symbols as well as various practices associated healing, witchcraft (or sorcery) accusations, and the experience of suffering and death. Anthropological approaches challenge the categories of "religion" and "witchcraft", which stem from Western conceptions of reality, Christianity, and ethnocentric views of the "other".

CRDV-1090-01 Majors, Internships and Jobs
CRDV 1090 helps students to clarify their strengths, values and goals in order to maximize student potential. Students connect collegiate academic and extracurricular experiences to professional pursuits. Students create and refine professional documents, evaluate decision making processes and learn to utilize professional social media in order to network more effectively. Students are guided through the career development process through various assignments. (Side note, I've previously blogged about this awesome class!)

MCGS 2000 Introduction to Musical Cultures of the Gulf South
An introduction to the culture of the Gulf South region with an emphasis on New Orleans music, history, ritual, dance, and cultural geography. Explores the musical relationship of the Gulf South region to the Caribbean and African diaspora. Introduces critical tools for analysis of the relationship of music and place. Themes of the course include ethnic migrations, social diversity, vernacular architecture, and slavery. Field trips to second-line parades, Mississippi River access points, diverse neighborhoods and historical slave markets.

CELL 2220 Career in Cell & Molecular Biology
Get acquainted with a variety of careers available to professionals with a science degree: medical professionals, research, science writing, technology transfer, government policy. Learn not to meets professionals in the field, write a CV and cover letter in order to have it passed on to potential research and clinical opportunities.

COMM 2812 Media and Reproductive Rights
This course focuses on the relationships between reproductive politics, popular and social media, and movements for reproductive rights in the United States.

Cities of the Dead! (from ghostcitytours.com)

TIDE 1000-01 New Orleans Cities of the Dead: Cemetery Architecture & Its Cultural Legacy
Heather Knight.  Students will be introduced to the history and cultural folkways of New Orleans through the study of historic figures, cemetery architecture, monument construction and funerary symbolism reflected in stone and iron.  Why are above-ground tombs more prevalent in New Orleans?  What are the different tomb types and their architectural styles?  Why do families in Louisiana visit cemeteries on All Saints Day?  What symbolism does funerary art in stone and iron reveal?  This TIDE will provide five informative field sessions to local cemeteries and five class lectures.

SISE 4820 Taylor your Life
Learn how to tackle the “wicked” problem of what to do with your life by applying methods and mindsets of design thinking to career development. Students will learn how to ideate multiple life paths, clarify their interests, focus and target their search, prototype and test elements of careers that interest them, market and brand themselves to stand out from the crowd, and map their community to effectively network with other changemakers around the world. By invoking curiosity, ideating multiple possibilities, prototyping and testing different pathways, and remaining centered on human relationships and communities, students will engage in a series of interactive, dynamic activities and learn how to design a life that makes a positive difference in the world and is “TAYLORed” to their unique life and personality.

TIDE 1370-01 Adventure, Discipline, Obsession:  A Running Conversation
Like to have class outside? Want to get off campus and see the city? Like to learn in unconventional ways? And, oh yes, do you run?  Then run with us in the early evening or early morning while we discuss a variety of aspects of life in motion, from the mythical (or not) "runner's high" to running as a metaphor for life. (Why did Forrest Gump run? Why did he stop running?) Most run will go off campus, in locations such as Audubon Park, City Park, and the French Quarter, and end with refueling (i.e., a meal, procured from Whole Foods Grocery).

SISE 2010 Introduction to Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
The introductory class gives students an appreciation for the field of social entrepreneurship and introduces students to several helpful frameworks that will be used in subsequent classes. Students will examine key concepts and the historical context, understand current theories and debates about social change, and discuss case studies of social entrepreneurs. The class will address two overarching tenets of SISE: Social impact can best be created by moving away from the current divisive approach of separate sectors and towards blended models that connect and combine sectors in new ways Social mission and social impact are the primary focus - understanding what your mission is, and how you create the greatest social impact, is key.
This course has a service learning component that goes with it.




ARST-1170-01 Foundations of Art: Glass (Glass Blowing)
This course focuses on the history and theory of glass art, and also introduces basic techniques with attention given to issues of composition, perception, communication, and expression. Emphasis also will be placed on the relationships between glass art, other art mediums, and the history of art. See my previous blog about the time I sneaked back into the glass studio! Oh and by the way, just a few days after I got dropped off at Tulane, I took glassblowing!
me.

Ten Things to do as a Junior

It's hard to believe it, high school classes of 2019, but you're halfway done! With summer kicking off, the second half of high school is just a few months away. You're probably new to this whole "college application" thing, so in the spirit of first time experiences, this blog is for you. Have a look at these helpful hints to get your college search off the ground in the best way possible.

Here are my ten tips for you future (college) class of 2023-ers!

Tour a college in your hometown! 

1) Your coursework and grades matter the most in this process. Stellar ACT and SAT scores can give you a nice boost, but at the end of the day, the grades you earn in your high school classes are king. We look for a balance in your schoolwork: taking the most challenging courses that you can that still allow you to maintain a strong GPA. And yes, your freshman and sophomore year grades matter. Big time. Take challenging courses but don't overdo it, leaving you with a sub-par GPA. Again, it is all about finding that balance. Easier said than done, I know. We love to see that Spanish or French or Mandarin or whatever class continue into senior year. Office aide? Not so much.

2) Think about taking both the ACT and the SAT. Tulane will look at both and have a conversion chart that shows us that XXXX on the SAT is worth roughly XX on the ACT. But we only look at the higher of the two. Some students do better at one test over the other. Taking both may end up helping you out. The ACT was the more popular of the two for the first time last year.

3) Build your brand at your high school. First step, get to know your guidance/college counselor. Even if you are at a big public school, get to know them. They know what they are doing and can be your best advocate in this process. For all of you at smaller, independent schools, these people are experts too, and we know it. Next, really get to know your teachers. Invest your time in the classroom. Wow them. Make yourself missed when you leave. Become indispensable to your school.

4) Be open to a wide range of schools. Big, small, public, private, local, international, research universities and small liberal arts colleges. Explore them all, this is your time to do so. Keep an open mind! Just because you haven't heard of it or if it's not a "bumper sticker" college, don't rule it out. Seriously. There are over 3,000 colleges and universities out there; take the time to give some of them a shot. Found a few that strike your fancy? Here are some great questions to ask your admission rep to get to know the school better.

5) Use your summers wisely. We think that the programs to foreign countries or exotic service trips are great. But we also think working at Subway as a sandwich artist all summer is great. So is coaching a local youth sports team. Summers might mean taking a class at a community college. Don't worry if you can't take an amazing trip or do service work in Costa Rica. Trust me when I say some of the best summers are spent in some of the most humble ways. We love that.

6) Read books. Read the news online. Watch documentaries. Read more books. Listen to podcasts. Know current events. Know what is going on in the world. Be a conversationalist.

7) Participate in a few extra-curricular things you love. We don't like the seven page resume laundry lists here at Tulane. We like the one page of passion—the two or three most important things to you. Find your passion and stick with it. You can read all my resume tips here.

8) Stay out of trouble. I was in high school once, too. Be smart, guys. Academic dishonesty, drinking at Homecoming, etc., we are going to hear about it if it happens. Just be smart and make good decisions. I don't know when I turned into my dad, but just please don't make bad choices that will wreck your future. This mostly applies to how you act on Snapchat and other social media channels. Trust me, it matters. Just ask these people.

9) Start visiting colleges soon! Take spring break or a few days off to do so. Summer is fine, but not it's not the best time to see a college when most of the student body is away from campus. Take a road trip to a school close by to you to get a feel for college campuses. Even better, come visit Tulane! Shoot us an email and we'll enlighten you to all kinds of great hotels with Tulane discounts, great places to eat, great festivals to check out, and oh, yeah maybe take a tour of Tulane, too. You can read all my tips for a great campus visit here. Also, visit a college near your hometown, even if you don't think you'll apply there. Just start to get a feel for what college tours (and college in general) is like. I've got tips for visiting colleges here.

10) Meditate. Trust me on this one. It's a superpower that will pay you back in dividends over the next two (somewhat stressful) years. I help you get started here.

Good luck, 2019!