Jessica Otis

Jessica Otis is a first-generation early childhood education major from Chicago, IL

Hometown: Chicago, IL

High School: Chicago Military Academy

Year: Expected graduation: 2025

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I wanted to be a doctor growing up. But as I got older that changed. I’m currently taking a different path.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I’m currently working on a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. I chose this course of study because it was meant for me. I grew up babysitting my younger 11 siblings a lot, and I played school with them. I made an entire school schedule and made homemade assignments to print on our printers. I was already figuring out how to teach everyone the same topic but at different levels since I was 11 years old. I also chose this major because I love children and seeing them grow is so rewarding. I shed tears thinking about kids I’ve seen grow in my recent clinicals.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
Something I found pleasantly surprising about my experience at NIU are the Campus Activities Board (CAB) events and the College of Education luncheons that happen sometimes.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I connect with other students to study for classes and meet new people or form new friendships by using NIU social media, creating group chats in my classes so everyone has some help, getting people’s numbers just to chat and make friends, and most importantly, going to those CAB events, as well.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I’m not but I’m planning to. I’ve recently applied to be involved with the Northern Star. I love photography, and I think this would be a great opportunity to do that.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The financial aid office has made me feel safe, supported and successful because they’ve helped me understand the financial obligations of college. The College of Education does the same as well, because they help me on my college path and guide me on the best route to finishing my degree. The Psychological Services Center helps me feel safe, supported and successful by helping me work through trauma and just life. It’s hard to navigate life sometimes, and with mental illness, it can be hard to advocate for yourself. But those services helped me learn how to advocate for myself and to become the best version of myself I can be. The Disability Resource Center is also helpful. They help me advocate for myself in the classroom and help me make college a little easier with my disorders.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
One of my favorite professors is Dr. James Cohen. He teaches LTIC 400 - Introduction to Teaching Multilingual Learners. I loved this class because it was so engaging, and he cared about the class’s opinions. We talked about real-life problems and how we actually felt about them. Then we connected that to learning technical terms, and that made things a thousand times easier. He was such a real and honest person who was understanding as well. He made the course worth taking, understandable and just fun.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I’ve benefited from attending class regularly by gaining a better understanding of what was going on in the class. Sometimes there are topics I can’t even grasp unless I’m in class and can really connect with students/educators to ask questions.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus would be the little hideout studying place in the College of Education building near Graham Hall. I’m drawn to it because it’s so peaceful and calm. I love being in places that are like that so I can get work done or just relax by myself or with friends.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Some advice I would give is to follow your heart, understand the financial side of college and go somewhere you know will best benefit you, not someone else, because it’s your college experience.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me because being an educator requires a degree. I won’t have such a great chance without that degree. I also think a college education is important because you learn things that you won’t get anywhere else. I’ve learned and experienced so much in my major that I know I wouldn’t get unless I was here.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
Calendars and timers are a big part of my life when it comes to managing time. I set out times throughout the day to help me manage those responsibilities. Sometimes things don’t come out as planned, so I just adjust.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I follow many of NIU’s social media pages, and there are a lot of updates there. I also pay attention to my email because reminders come through there a lot. Sometimes my friends or peers also have information that they tell me, and I look more into it.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I relax or recharge by watching my favorite shows, eating my favorite foods, taking naps and hanging out with friends off or on campus.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I work at Walmart as a personal shopper. It’s kind of self-explanatory in the name. I recently got a job through NIU Huskies Get Hired with the Illinois Tutor Initiative. I will be tutoring students in grades 3-8 in the DeKalb district. My hobbies are cooking, listening to music, dancing, singing, crocheting with yarn and drawing.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
I’m the first in my family to attend college. My parents were never supportive of my college education, so I had to provide for myself the entire time. I had to become an independent student during my freshman year of college, or I couldn’t actually go to college. I was homeless for a couple years, and it was really hard to be a 17-year-old trying to do something for myself. But with determination and patience, I have had my own apartment going on two years now. I’m almost done with college, and I have a job that relates to my career, which is a major stepping stone in my life.