Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University

Cara Schultz

Cara Schultz

I chose my major because … I originally came to NIU as a meteorology major, but I recently changed my major to geography in order to broaden my horizons and make myself more versatile.

My favorite professor at NIU is … Dr. David Changnon, because he can make any geography/meteorology material fun and interesting with his hilarious jokes. Not only is he a great professor, but he is also an excellent adviser.

My favorite thing to do on campus is … walk or jog around the East Lagoon while listening to my MP3 player so that I can unwind after a day's worth of classes.

Outside of the classroom, my favorite thing at NIU that really enhances my experience here is … the Holmes Student Center. It's a place where I can come to relax in between classes, grab lunch or a snack, join a friend in a game of bowling or pool, or use a computer lab to catch up on homework or surf the Internet.

When I have free time, I like to … scrapbook past memories with one of my good friends from high school.

One thing I wish I knew about actual college life before I got here is … that it's really not that much harder than high school; it's just one more step each year. Really, there was no need to be worried about college being “too” hard.

One positive thing I have learned about myself since coming to NIU is … that I am more outgoing and capable of becoming involved on campus than I originally thought I would be.

If I was guaranteed success, I would … pursue my hobby of traveling before settling down into a career.

After graduation, I plan to … pursue a career in GIS and get married in June 2008 to my wonderful fiancι. I am also strongly considering to attend graduate school for Academic Advising or Adult and Higher Education so that I can academic advise at the college level.

The one NIU experience that I will always remember will be … being selected as an orientation leader for summer 2007. I have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people through the job, and I have grown as a person through out this entire experience.

NIYou

Major: Geography

Other Areas of Study: Meteorology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Undergraduate Certificate

Graduation Date: May 2008

Other Degrees: A.A., Rock Valley College, December 2005

Hometown: Rockford, Ill.

High School: Rockford Guilford High School

Current Employment:

  • Office Assistant, Academic Advising Center
  • NIU Orientation Leader, Orientation & First-Year Experience, Division of Student Affairs (Summer 2007)

Campus Involvement:

  • Relay for Life (April 2007)
  • Mortar Board Senior Honor Society (2007-08)
  • University Honors Program (Spring 2007)
  • Weather Forecaster, Northern Television Company [NTC] (Fall 2006)
  • Secretary, American Meteorological Society (2006-2008)
  • NI Guides (August 2006)
  • Skywarn Trained Severe Weather Spotter (Spring 2005-present)

Highlights, achievements and awards:

  • NIU Academic Finalist Award
  • NIU Centennial Scholarship
  • Illinois General Assembly Scholarship, 34th District
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's List

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