Hello and welcome back!
As Mariah Carey defrosts for the upcoming wintry season, here’s another recap for you! Hopefully, everyone secured the internships they aspired to, or at least something along those lines. The competitive nature of these job hunts makes it a challenging feat, so no blame if it doesn’t work out as planned. Moreover, as the seemingly endless midterm season is nearly over, fingers crossed for everyone’s success. Let’s look at how SASE navigated through this demanding month of October.
Mariah Carey GIF
Capital One: “Advocating for Yourself”
The month kicked off with an insightful Capital One workshop aimed at guiding students on how to push their career aspirations forward. Through this virtual session, participants learned how to impress recruiters – perfecting their elevator pitches and crafting interview responses that stand out. A huge thank you to Max H. (External Vice President) and the entire Capital One team for making this informative and beneficial workshop possible.
Apply-a-thon
Continuing the internship pursuit, the month carried on with “Apply-a-thon.” It was a fantastic opportunity for SASE members to collectively engage in the internship application process. Let us thank Gayatri (Advancement Chair) for planning this productive event and Emely (President) for hosting it. Moreover, Capital One made it even better by offering their merch and catering – a delightful surprise for all attendees!
Students at the SASE Apply-a-thon Event
SASE National Convention
The highlight of the semester, SASE’s National Convention, was an exhilarating experience held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Students from all across the country convened to take part in this three-day event, filled with activities and opportunities.
The first day began with a grand Welcome Ceremony featuring an inspiring speech by Khanh Vu, the SASE CEO. Another standout feature of the day was the hospitality suites, offering students a casual setting to interact with recruiters from notable companies such as Boeing, Exelon, L3Harris, etc. Additionally, part of UF SASE showcased their impressive SASE Hack projects. Day two opened bright and early with the prestigious Opening Ceremony, where UF SASE was honored with the 2023 Inspire Award for Most Improved Chapter. The day was further filled with accomplishments as the team “Why Am I Doing Another Hackathon” also secured first place and the Best Pitch award in the SASE Hacks competition – congratulations to the winning members: Hadi Baajour, Tam Huynh, Taise Miyazumi, and Max Huang!
SASE Hack Presenters
Left to right: Hadi Baajour, Tam Huynh, and Taise Miyazumi
The day unfolded with a series of events, such as resume reviews and workshops conducted by various companies. Notably, L3Harris presented a workshop titled “Mastering the Art of Interviewing Fast,” providing valuable insights into the interview process across different occupations. Following this, UF SASE interacted with its sister chapter from Pennsylvania State University (PSU) during lunch, and later, some members visited the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Lunch with PSU SASE
Mercedes-Benz Tour
Day two concluded with the Closing Ceremony and additional hospitality suites featuring a different set of companies compared to the previous day. The final day kicked off with the career fair, where it was truly gratifying to witness numerous UF SASE members secure multiple interviews and even a few immediate job offers on the spot!
UF SASE in front of the SASE sign
The conference wasn’t all, though. UF SASE took the opportunity to explore the Atlanta area outside of their professional pursuits as well. Post the career fair, our group attended the Alumni Dinner at Krog Street Market, which allowed members to engage with past UF SASE members, including Denise Shinto, Daniel Shinto, Jesse Siu, James Boultinghouse, Nick Brown, and Kelvin Li. and Jesse Siu. Finally, the day wrapped up with a visit to the Georgia Aquarium, where the captivating dolphin show drew the attention of many members.
Alumni Dinner at Krog Street Market
UF SASE at the Georgia Aquarium
Overall, the trip was undeniably a resounding success, and this accomplishment owes a massive debt of gratitude to every board member. Their dedication and tireless efforts were instrumental in ensuring the event’s success, particularly given the significantly increased number of students who attended from our chapter this year.
GBM 2: Sailing the Seven SASE
SASE’s second GBM of the semester was a thrilling journey through the array of opportunities available at UF aimed at enhancing the undergraduate experience. Students were treated to insights about study abroad, internships, and research, offering a glimpse into the exciting prospects awaiting them.
Notable recognition goes to David and Anthony, our Service and Tech Chairs, who added a lively twist to the already entertaining Kahoot. The playful and engaging quiz kept everyone alert, with many amusing misspellings tripping up a few participants, including myself.
Following the GBM, the excitement continued with the Mentor-Mentee reveal. Kudos to our GBM 2 leads for organizing such an enjoyable event!
Left to right: Tiffany Vuu, Gurleen Dhillon, Bryan Park, and Anthony Yao
Mentor-Mentee Week
Following the exciting M&M reveal at GBM 2, SASE kicked off the much-anticipated Mentor-Mentee Week in high spirits! This week was a vibrant blend of connection, creativity, and giving back.
The week began with “Pots and Paper,” a rewarding event where mentors and mentees painted pots and crafted cards/origami while enjoying Spongebob episodes. These personalized creations were then donated to spread joy at Dreamer’s Garden and the Shands Children’s Hospital.
Pots and Paper Recap Reel
Following this creative event, we transitioned to a fun and casual “Chum Bucket Trivia Night.” Mentor-mentee groups engaged in lively trivia while adding to the fun by creating their own “chum” using pudding and gummies.
These events were as much about fun as strengthening the bonds between mentors and mentees. A big round of applause to Sharika (Internal Vice President) and every other board member who helped plan a perfect blend of unity, creativity, and fun, leaving us all with warm memories and a sense of togetherness.
Dreamer’s Garden Service Event
At Maria’s community garden in Gainesville, SASE members enjoyed a delightful outdoor service event. Amidst the serene beauty of nature, students rolled up their sleeves to clean and repot plants, breathing new life into the garden.
Our prior “Pots and Paper” M&M event contributed lovely painted pots, which added a charming touch to the garden’s revitalization. The collective effort not only spruced up the garden but also brought a vibrant, artistic flair to the space.
This event was more than just gardening; it was a celebration of community and collaboration. It served as a beautiful reminder of how collective efforts, even through simple actions, can create a significant positive change. We extend our gratitude to David Pham (Service Chair) for planning such an outstanding event.
Left to right: Jadon Lee, Vincent Lin, David Pham, Tiffany Vuu, Justin Doan, Vincent Lam, Robert Pattinson, Anna Lim, and Gurleen Dhillon
SASE x SIC Financial Literacy Workshop
In collaboration with UF SIC (Student Investment Club), SASE provided students with an invaluable opportunity to delve into financial literacy. Led by our fundraising chair, Andrew Tang, the session covered essential financial topics such as personal finance, inflation, bank accounts, credit cards, credit scores, income tax, etc. through a series of three common scenarios that students often face during their university years.
The workshop empowered students with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions thanks to its interactive and informative approach. Thank you Andrew (Fundraising Chair) for equipping us with the tools needed for financial success.
Technical Workshop: Data Visualization & ML
In a recent workshop led by our fantastic tech chairs, Tiffany Vuu and Anthony Yao, we explored the ever-growing worlds of data visualization and machine learning. They skillfully guided students through the complexities of tools such as AzureML and Matplotlib, making these concepts feel approachable and exciting.
Towards the end, they presented a fun challenge, urging participants to apply their newfound knowledge practically. It was a hands-on, engaging task that not only solidified concepts but also sparked enthusiasm for using these tools.
Thanks to Tiffany and Anthony’s (Tech Chairs) expert guidance, what could have been intimidating became enjoyable and educational. It left students feeling more confident and eager to explore these topics further.
Conclusion
As we bid farewell to October, I’m sending each of you my warmest of hugs for the cooler season ahead. While some might find it early, I confess that my Christmas tree is already up – perhaps it’s time for you to get in the holiday spirit as well!
As we venture into November, brace yourselves for more SASE events, especially those that our interns have been working all semester to bring to life, and opportunities to bond. Stay tuned through our socials and Discord, and let’s make the upcoming month even more memorable. Thank you for reading, and here’s to a cozy and festive season ahead!
Your Webmaster,
Gurleen Dhillon
ʕっᴖᴥᴖʔっ
big month for us 😮
No Photo Credits for the Service Event?