This week I talked with graduating senior, Joshua Pak (senior, biochemistry), to learn about his plans after graduation and reflect on his time here at Andrews University.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on returning home to Boston and working in a biopharmaceutical lab to develop novel therapies and drugs. Due to the attention on the Covid-19 vaccines and the recent innovations in biotechnology, this field is an extremely exciting industry right now and I aspire to be a part of it. Eventually, I will want to return to school for a Ph.D. or MBA; only time will tell which direction I want to go, but I’m a little done with taking classes right now. I am definitely looking forward to having some more free time and making some money.
How do you feel about your time at Andrews?
With the exception of quarantine and all related (but necessary) Covid-19 restrictions, I’ve really enjoyed my time here at Andrews. A big part of this is definitely the wonderful communities that I’ve been involved with, which have all challenged my perspectives and pushed me to grow in a myriad of ways both socially and professionally. The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the J. N. Andrews Honors Program are two that have really provided me with the opportunity to hone my skills and make the most of my time here. I’ll also never forget all of my experiences in interacting with the cultural clubs; from attending events as a freshman to taking on officer positions–the dynamics of the cultural clubs are truly what sets Andrews apart.
What are you most proud of from your college years?
I’m extremely proud of the change and progress that has occurred on campus in the past four years that I’ve been here. One of the challenges I faced when entering as a freshman, especially as someone who did not know anyone at Andrews prior to my matriculation, was being able to get familiar with the various groups that already existed. I saw firsthand the first Infusion Vespers and the evolution of cultural clubs, to what eventually culminated into AUnited Weekend, and the new spaces that were created for inter-cultural and social connections that did not exist prior. Because of this progress, I’ve been able to meet so many wonderful individuals and communities that would’ve been unknown to me had we stayed complacent. All of these incredible experiences have really shown me the potential that Andrews has; my one disappointment would be that I won’t be around to witness this newer generation of students taking it to the next level.
What changes do you hope we’ll be seeing on campus?
I hope that a lot of cultural club leaders take the initiative to collaborate with each other and continue the excellent and original event planning that the campus is getting used to. Jocelyne Rico (AULA), Khaylee Sands (BSCF), and I (KASA) came together at the beginning of the semester with the concept for the “Let All The Earth” Vespers on a whim, and it panned out to be an awesome program that exceeded what I could’ve fashioned by myself. Working with them was a real pleasure and I hope that in the future these cultural common grounds are able to be celebrated together more often. Similarly, AUnited was just incredible, and I’m curious how this formerly inconceivable experience will, hopefully, be implemented and improved next year. Intentionally expanding on the spaces where these opportunities for representation can be enjoyed would greatly improve the occurrences of these events and allow for a more cohesive Andrews community.
What advice do you have for the underclassmen?
One of my biggest regrets is not being able to fully explore all the communities that I encountered here; the diversity at Andrews allows for a ridiculous amount of unfamiliar experiences to impact any facet of your life. I truly believe that, if you’ve only been to a total of two churches or don’t have an event to look forward to on most weekends, you aren’t making the most of what Andrews has to offer. Between the concerts at HPAC, the regular open gyms at the Wellness Center, and the events that the cultural clubs put on, there’s always going to be something to go to. I hope that you guys are able to break out of your comfort zones and witness why diversity in the community is so meaningful. Another piece of advice I’d give is to be bold and not be afraid to change things if you’re unhappy with how they are. The quality of my experience at Andrews was inherently tied to the willingness of determined individuals who took the step to lead and transform the campus. If you have a talent for writing, curating art, or taking initiative, then I’d urge you to have your voice heard. Whether it's on AUSA/Senate, departmental or cultural clubs, there are plenty of opportunities and positions that are opening up as my generation graduates, which could use the vision of young and ambitious individuals.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.