Do college graduates remember what their student experience was like?

Whether you’re a recent grad or recent retiree, we all remember those long nights and longer study sessions spent cramming for that ever-so-important exam. We juggled a swinging single social life or caring for kids, working 20 to 40 hours a week, an internship and not to mention what seemed a more-than-full time school schedule. Yep, it was a wonderfully busy time (emphasis on the wonderfully, though, right?). Now, some of us have moved on into the real world. Hopefully we will get to use that degree we worked so hard for, and hopefully we can continue to dare mighty things. The question is, “Do we remember what it’s like to be a college student?” Things may have changed, so we’ve supplied a quiz to give an idea of where you might fit on the scale.

Rob Goates

How do you relax?

1.       Night on the town, cruising Main Street, spending time with the apple of my eye.

2.       Drive up Logan Canyon, pay Old Juniper a visit (rest assured, he hasn’t changed).

3.       You’ll find me in the front row at the Spectrum, losing my voice.

4.       Stay inside, hanging with the roomies, watching that flick or TV show we just can’t get enough of.

5.       Speaking of can’t get enough, I need to study, back to the library!

What do you eat?

1.       I’m poor, the only thing I can afford has noodles in it, i.e. ramen and cup of noodles (and we loved them!).

2.       Don’t have time, eating is a luxury, grab that energy bar and get to class.

3.       Go with my sweetums out to that restaurant that we love, no matter the price.

4.       Marketplace, Sky Room, Junction and the Hub, every meal, every day.

5.       Live off the land, thar’ are turkeys in them hills.

What do you drive?

1.       Honestly, anything that gets me from point A to point B.

2.       I don’t need to drive, I live on campus.

3.       I wouldn’t say I drive it, but it does look good in the mechanic’s shop. Luckily, Cache Valley Transit is free...

4.       Are you kidding? Cycling is the only way to go, come rain or shine.

5.       Sports car, enough said.

How is your sleep?

1.       I sleep better when it’s not raining because my lean-to shelter I call “home” gets wet.

2.       I sleep better when it’s not raining as well but because our ceiling leaks so badly.

3.       Excellent, the house I own is top-notch.

4.       Study now, sleep later. I can sleep when I’m dead.

5.       Dead asleep; the Howl last night was so much fun.

Now count your points!

How do you relax?  1 = 5 points, 2 = 2 points, 3 = 4 points, 4 = 1 point, 5 = 3 points

What do you eat?  1 = 1 point, 2 = 3 points, 3 = 5 points, 4 = 4 points, 5 = 2 points

What do you drive?  1 = 3 points, 2 = 4 points, 3 = 1 point, 4 = 2 points, 5 = 5 points

How is your sleep?  1 = 2 points, 2 = 1 point, 3 = 5 points, 4 = 3 points, 5 = 4 points

5-7 points, Congratulations, you definitely remember what it’s like to be a student! You may consider yourself “economically-friendly,” but when it comes down to it, you are POOR. But deep down inside, you look back on it with fondness and look forward to those experiences for your kids.

8-10 points, Congratulations, you definitely remember what it’s like to be a student! Taking advantage of the beautiful landscape that Logan has to offer is one of your fortes. You may have skied the Beav or fished at Second Dam, but you were there, enjoying every minute.

11-13 points, Congratulations, you definitely remember what it’s like to be a student! You were a studying machine with the drive of a jet engine. Working those all-nighters and running on empty, you’re hopefully now enjoying the fruits of your labors (and remembering your alma mater J).

14-16 points, Congratulations, you definitely remember what it’s like to be a student! What a socialite you are, you make events successful and work hard to get the most from what’s offered. Because of you, the traditions that make Utah State great live on.

17-19 points, Congratulations, you definitely remember what it’s like to be a student! While you weren’t the wealthiest, you still enjoyed many comforts during your college years and knew how to take advantage of what was given you.

20 points, Uh, you definitely DO NOT remember what it’s like to be a student! If you are in this group, I wish I were friends with you. You are one of the very select few that really enjoyed a plush lifestyle in college.

Rob Goates

A Huntsman alumnus on entrepreneurship and what he learned from the Huntsman School

Today I had the opportunity to talk to a Huntsman alumnus about the innovations his company is making in the aerospace and wind energy industries.

Allan Wood is the CEO of AnalySwift (analyswift.com), a company that uses technology developed at Utah State to analyze composite materials and design structures made from them. From helicopter blades to bridges, companies like ATK, Boeing, Siemens and AeroVironment use AnalySwift’s software in their design and analysis. Wood said that they’re also getting involved with companies that produce the blades on wind turbines.

Wood said his experience at USU gave him key knowledge, experience and connections in building up his company.

Wood started AnalySwift this past March with Dr. Wenbin Yu, an associate professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering at USU’s College of Engineering. Wood graduated from USU with dual majors in marketing and finance in 2003, and followed that up with an MBA that included an entrepreneurship emphasis. He said the things he learned at the Huntsman School were invaluable when starting up AnalySwift.

Paul Lewis Siddoway

“My MBA classes were heavy with relevant coursework for the activities in which I’m now involved,” Wood said. “I think you get out of it what you put in, and I was thankful to have opportunities for real-life experience through coursework and internships.”

As part of his MBA program, Wood took classes uniquely suited to entrepreneurship, including studies on how viable business ideas are. When he was preparing to start his own business, he took the principles and procedures he learned in case studies and applied them to his own business plan.

“Starting in October, we went through the same feasibility study process for AnalySwift, and it looked very promising,” Wood said. “That gave me confidence that this was a good opportunity.”

Wood said it hasn’t all been very easy, but many of the resources used in the start up of AnalySwift came from connections made at USU, from the technology they use to legal agreements to the graphic design. They were helped by a grant from the state of Utah’s Technology Commercialization and Innovation Program.

“It took us a little longer that we though to get things moving and get things in place, but we’ve had some help,” Wood said. “We’re still fairly young, so we’ve been doing a lot of the ‘up-front’ stuff the past couple of months and we’re now trying to reach out and contact customers.”

Throughout the course of my experience at USU and the Huntsman School, I’ve made connections with other students and business professionals, and learning about what successful graduates are doing makes me excited to join the ‘real’ world.

Paul Lewis Siddoway

Take Charge

On Tuesday night, our Great Work Great Career class learned about the importance of having an idea of what you want to do in life and working towards it.

The course we have been taking is based on the book of the same name that was written by Stephen R. Covey and Jennifer Colosimo. It helps people identify and develop their unique talents and passions. It also helps people better tap those skills, and it prepares them for the job market by helping them improve their resume and interviewing abilities.

Most recently, we had the opportunity to hear from Dave Patel, director of executive outreach at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. He talked about when he graduated from Utah State University and immediately drove to Washington, D.C., to take charge of his life and pursue a great career. He had the opportunity of working for the office of Senator Orrin Hatch and later for the office of the Secretary of Defense. Mr. Patel explained that integrity, initiative and intelligence are crucial characteristics when working to improve your life.

Mr. Patel closed by saying that the world needs more Aggies. He encouraged us to get involved, take advantage of our opportunities along the way and get out as we take charge.

Huntsman Alumni Magazine

The Global Engagement Issue of the Huntsman Alumni Magazine is out. In this issue, you'll find articles on our students' engagement in Africa, North and South America, India and other parts of Asia. You can also hear from some of our alumni including Kent E. Bracken and Kent Alder. Feel free to flip through a digital copy of this magazine, here.

Let us know what you think about this publication in the comment section of this post, and you may appear in the next Huntsman Alumni Magazine.

Honeywell Executive Advice

In this video, USU and Huntsman School alumnus Mark James provides some advice to students and young professionals. Tell us what you think in the comment section below.

Kent Alder, CEO of TTM Technologies

Here's a great, short video featuring Kent Alder, '74 Finance, '80 Accounting. In this video, Kent gives some meaningful advice on a successful career.