September 2023 Recap

Greetings, everyone!

With October here and spooky season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to reflect on a fantastic start to the school year for UF SASE. September kept us all on our toes, from adjusting to new class schedules to diligently crafting our personal portfolios for those coveted summer internships. Now, let’s dive into a recap of the thrilling events that unfolded in September!

Party Ghost Print

GBM #1: “SASE-Man: Into the SASE-Verse”

Our month kicked off with high energy at our first GBM of the year, SASE-Man: Into the SASE-Verse, where we introduced our 2023-24 board, who not only shared their exciting SASE journeys but also offered a glimpse into their unique interests.

Later into the event, members had the opportunity to explore crucial insights on internships, career showcases, business professional attire, and the art of networking. But that’s not all – we were privileged to have a special guest, Michele Wu (Microsoft Software Engineer), who shared with us her SASE journey and experiences.

A big round of applause goes to our GBM 1 leads and Michele for an outstanding event!

Members battle it out in a sticky duel of an icebreaker called “Shoot a Web” (aka Shadow Boxing)

Resume Workshop

Our first stellar workshop of the year laid the foundation for creating standout resumes. Attendees received valuable tips and tricks from our presenters and must-know do’s and don’ts for crafting compelling resumes.

I was in the audience and discovered a nifty trick thanks to Anthony (Technical Chair). He revealed a setting related to the tabbing feature that allows you to right-align your dates on the same line as your position title. Most of you may be laughing since it might be common knowledge, but I think otherwise. Thank you, Anthony!

But that’s not all! Students left with AI tools to evaluate and score their resumes, along with an extremely useful resume template.

A huge shoutout to our attentive audience for their questions and to our fantastic presenters: Gayatri (Advancement Chair), Emely (President), Vincent Lin (MIC), Rachel (MIC), Anthony, with an honorable mention to David (Service Chair) for his behind-the-scenes assistance.

Anthony talking to students post-workshop.

UF x USF x TAMU Intro to Research

For all the “scientists” in SASE, we had an exciting event titled “Intro to Research,” which was a collaborative effort between the SASE chapters of UF, USF, and TAMU. This virtual event immersed participants in the world of undergraduate research, shedding light on the abundant opportunities available to them. The event centered around insights provided by experienced researchers from the Moffitt Cancer Center and included speakers from each SASE chapter:  Nathan Lanclos, Amreen Naveen, Nader Abdalla, Monisha Yerran, and Thea Alonzo. 

Anthony, Mia (Historian), and Francesca (Public Relations Chair) did an exceptional job in organizing this event, giving students the chance to have their questions answered and engage in discussions about the potential of research with seasoned professionals. It was an invaluable opportunity, and we extend our gratitude to them for making it happen!

P&G: Info Session and “How to be Successful when Talking to a Recruiter”

During two enriching events in partnership with P&G, recruiters shared some of their personal insights into essential topics such as crafting effective elevator pitches and building a personal brand to help you stand out in today’s competitive job market. We’re eager to see you apply these strategies to your future career endeavors (I know I definitely will).These events would not have been possible without the invaluable support from P&G, and we extend our sincere thanks to them for their sponsorship. Of course, we can’t leave out the one that made it all happen: Max Huang (External Vice President). We applaud both Max and our attendees for their active participation and engagement to make these events a hit.

Students speaking with P&G recruiters Ruigang Fang (left) and London Dewey (right) at SASE’s “How to be Successful when Talking to a Recruiter” event.

How to Get an Internship Workshop

Continuing on our professional development journey, UF SASE had the chance to team up with Lowe’s for an engaging workshop focused on unlocking internship opportunities and broadening our career horizons. Our lineup of exceptional speakers, including Ian Kreger (Treasurer), Gayatri, Vincent Lin, Rachel, David, and Emely, left no stone unturned as they shared insights on a range of valuable topics. From insider tips for successful applications to exploring international internships and understanding the importance of attending conferences like the SASE National Convention – we covered it all! A heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us, contributing to an educational and enriching experience. And a special shoutout to Patrick Iknayan for representing Lowe’s and being a valuable part of our presentation.

Presenters (left to right): Ian Kreger, Patrick, Gayatri, Rachel, David, Vincent Lin

M&M Speed Pairing

In an effort to personalize our mentor/mentee pairings, Sharika (Internal Vice President), orchestrated a lively speed pairing event. With approximately 40 mentees and 30 mentors in attendance, everyone was divided into three rooms to encourage one-on-one interactions. On top of that, to make it easier for everyone to open up, each room featured a variety of activities, from coloring and origami to card and board games. The overall event was a resounding success, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to Sharika for her blood, sweat, and tears _(BTS) that went into making this possible!

Left to right: Amy Hoang, Yining Liu, Helen Ho, and Rachel

Friendship on the Board Social

Our very first social event of the year drew an incredible crowd! “Friendship on the Board” was designed to help our members open up, connect with one another, and, of course, create new friendships through the joy of board games. 

We kicked things off with a fantastic icebreaker to break the ice and help everyone learn each other’s names. Laughter and great conversations filled the room, making it an enjoyable and memorable evening for all. 

A huge shoutout goes to Albert (Social Chair) for organizing this highly successful event. His dedication and hard work truly paid off, and we’re grateful to everyone who joined us. Here’s to more fantastic events and even stronger friendships in the future!

Left to right: Rachel, Christa Casey, Michael Tran, and Angela Li

Conclusion

September was a jam-packed month with many exciting “firsts” here at SASE for this school year! Now that exam season is on the horizon, it is my sincerest hope that you all do pass. Remember, we at SASE are here for you, and if you ever want to reach out to your SASE family for anything, don’t ever feel shy.

With the arrival of October, I hope to see all of you in your spookiest spirits and at our events this month. Stay tuned for what’s coming up through our socials and discord to make sure you don’t miss out on all the fun! Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to see most of you at NC and during M&M week!!

Your Webmaster,

Gurleen Dhillon

ʕっᴖᴥᴖʔっ