How I Earned the Title of Mr. Utampa/UTs Poster Child Among my Peers!

Throughout my collegiate journey, I have worked in six departments on campus and held multiple leadership positions. As I became a senior this fall, many of my friends, peers and even some professors who know me well started calling me Mr. Utampa – and why not? I spearheaded The University of Tampa's first social media collaborative project with Tampa International Airport. Still, more than anything, I have served as a well-rounded ambassador to my institution – but the main reason for receiving this title was my time at the office of admissions as a spartan ambassador! I worked at the admissions office for a year. In that period, I was the foremost ambassador tour guide to give VIP tours to people known to the president's senior staff, faculty members, and board of trustee members.

My favorite experience working at admissions was having the unique opportunity to speak at six open houses and address 500-1000 prospective students and their parents. My presentation was based on my first-year experience at UT – which was super intriguing to prospective students. I highlighted my acculturation process since I'm from Mumbai, India, but I also highlighted why I chose The University of Tampa for college and how I changed my major four times. This had them laughing! My story gave prospective students a sense of ease, comfort, and safety – especially debunking the societal pressure that you must have it all figured out on day one to succeed. I emphasized that career exploration is an experimental process, and it is entirely alright not to have the right major as soon as you come to college.

Another appreciable experience of mine at the admissions office was traveling and representing UT in three different states – Minnesota, New York, and Ohio. Once again, the target audience was prospective students, and they enjoyed hearing my story. The feeling of traveling and representing UT across different states gave me a sense of Spartan pride, opened my mind, grew my brand, and made me beyond grateful for my involvement on campus! The people I met on tour and while traveling have been mentors to me in my career and have even invited me to fancy steakhouse dinners. My time as a spartan ambassador significantly honed my confidence and ability to connect with people.