Share Tweet Share Email

From transfer student to May 2013 graduate: ‘Without NIU, I would not be where I am today’

May 21, 2013
Isaac Palma

Isaac Palma

by Isaac Palma

College is a defining moment in a person’s life; it is the transition from adolescence to adulthood. It is a time were one has to decide not only what to study but also to start forming a career path.

Transitioning from high school to college can be daunting yet exciting, and as I sorted through a half-dozen schools to transfer to after community college, NIU was the clear choice for me.

NIU provides a superb comprehensive education with dozens of majors, minors, certificates and concentrations. As a nationally accredited research university, I was reassured that NIU would always be on the forefront of cutting-edge technology and development.

NIU boasts having some of the best and brightest in their field, and this was especially important to me as a political science transfer student. I was searching for a place that would challenge me academically, enhance my professional skills and give me the opportunity to get involved and help others.

I found all of these opportunities at NIU.

As a transfer student, I thought it would be a bit difficult to transition without having been a freshman at the university, especially not knowing anyone, but NIU became a home away from home.

NIU has countless opportunities to become involved, including clubs, organization, campus jobs, internships and student government.

I became involved in the Student Association as a senator and, along with 40 other senators, oversaw all student organizations and clubs, the Huskie Bus Line and more than $6 million in funding. In addition, I worked as a manager at a coffee shop on campus, overseeing employees, training and scheduling.

Both of those experiences not only prepared me for the internship that I would obtain, but also prepared me to land a career job before even graduating. I had the great opportunity to be an intern for NIU’s Division of University Relations in the Department of Communications and Marketing; it was there that I learned from great professionals and enhanced my professional skills. The curriculum, my involvement and internship helped me land a career job before even entering my senior year.

Without NIU I would not be where I am today. Transferring to NIU was the best decision I ever made.

Super Transfer Tuesdays!Want to become the next Isaac?

Come to Super Transfer Tuesday, scheduled from 1:45 to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, in the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center.

In addition to a campus tour and a presentation by a transfer admissions counselor, prospective students can meet with representatives from Financial Aid, Housing and Dining and Off-Campus and Non-Traditional Student Services.

Registration is available online. For more information, call (815) 753-0446 or toll-free at 800-892-3050 (ask to speak with a transfer counselor) or email transfercenter@niu.edu.