College Matters!

STEM Series: Engineering

In this episode, panelists with background in Petroleum engineering joined together to talk about their hands-on experience in the field.

In this episode, we brief about small financial steps you can take in college towards a general understanding of saving money and using financial literacy as a tool to succeed. The ultimate goal is live life well and retire with dignity all while being financially secure. 

In this episode, we discussed a few general topics on Engineering. Our panelists have a background in Civil, Mechanical and Environmental Engineering. This is geared towards students who are interested in pursuing the engineering profession. 

Anh Troung, a harmony alum,  is currently pursing her first year in medical school. In this podcast, we will discuss some tips and strategies that will help students who are currently in their pre-med journey. 

In this episode, we discussed a few health care profession among kids who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. We were able to hear perspectives from professionals, and even a Harmony Alum. 

We had the privilege to talk about one of the opportunities out there for parents and/or adults who struggle with their literacy skills alongside Alisha Proctor, the program directer at the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County. 

Website: http://www.ftbendliteracy.org

Sarah Castro talks about the IPAA/PESA externship offered for junior/senior high school students and college freshmen. 

To apply: eec.talentlms.com/index 

Ms.Sabido and Ms.James talk about the resources offered at the UH-Downtown Academic Advising Center. 

UHD: https://www.uhd.edu/academics/university-college/academic-advising/Pages/default.aspx 

Jazzib, a UH student and Harmony Alumni talks about coming out of your comfort zone. 

University of Houston and Harmony Alumni. We discussed the computer engineering, computer science, software development and related majors and topics.

In this episode, Dr.K from UH SURE program expanded on the valuable aspects of the SURE program by elaborating how the mutual relationship between business students and entrepreneurs benefit in the long run. 

UH SURE Program:  https://www.bauer.uh.edu/sure/ 

On this episode of College Matters Dr. Rima Adil the intern Dean of Student Success and Academic Development spoke about the various HCC programs in relation to university transfers. 

HCC offers tons of programs which allow students to rapidly gain experience and transfer to the programs. 

In this episode, Credit Specialist CEO of Crofton Credit Consulting Firm Monica Crofton discussed about basics of credit, how to start credit, what to do, what not to do. 

www.croftoncreditconsulting.com  

In this episode, Scholarship Program Director Jamie Voskamp gave valuable information about Houston Rodeo Scholarships and opportunities. Did you know that Rodeo gave out about $500,000,000 in scholarships and grants.

https://www.rodeohouston.com/Educational-Support/Scholarships/Apply

On this episode of College Matters we hosted a podcast with Jennifer Bell the Business Developmental Manager of Advancial Credit Union.

The topic for discussion was an introduction to understanding financial well-being and forming a long term plan for future planning. Understanding loans, healthy debt, as well as gauging personal financial capabilities in regards to life style choices. 

On this weeks episode of College Matters we had as our guest speaker Winni Zhang, the Executive director of SWAG To College Mentoring Program!

Ms. Zheng was the President of the Student Government at UH! She will talk about what traits we look for in leaders today, and how to become a leader! 

In this episode we were able to record this podcast with Gene Wu on giving back to your own community! 

The importance of ones own community is often times underrated and we decided to look into ways in which students can find ways to improve the places they've come from whether it be there own neighborhoods, states, or even schools that they graduated from. 

For this episode on College Matters we had a chance to talk to Victor Rangel one of our students at Harmony School of Innovation in Brownsville. Victor is currently a senior who got accepted into many prestigious universities including Harvard. Harvard has offered him the Gates Scholarship which covers his tuition for 5 years. In this episode, he tells us a little bit about his motivation and what helped strengthen his application. This includes his extracurricular activities, summer internships, and interests. 

For this episode on College Matters we had the chance to talk to James Martinez, and Nekesa Sapp about the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. UHCOP is a competitive pharmacy program; and one of the best in the nation for their graduates NAPLEX pass rates. In addition, clinical assistant professors Dr. Kimberly Nguyen and Dr. Shane Tolleson give us insight of what the future of pharmacy career holds. 

To learn more visit the website at, 

http://www.uh.edu/pharmacy/

 For this episode on College Matters we had the chance to interview the Harmony Science Academy - Katy robotics team. The ‘Ironclad” robotics team has competed in the First Tech Challenge World Championship at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The team tells us a little bit about how much work and time goes into creating their robots and coming as far as they did.  

 For this episode on College Matters we had the chance to interview the Harmony Science Academy - High School robotics team. They are one of our most successful robotics teams. The team tells us how each of their roles plays a big part in creating robots and competing in world championships. With the help of Mr.Yagli and their mentor Ariel they are hoping to create an upgraded robot to prepare for next years competitions.  

For this episode on college matters we had the chance to interview  Ariel; a robotics mentor for the Innovation laboratory. Ariel is an alumni and has been working with the robotics team this passed year. He has put in a lot of determination and technical skills into his mentorship. Ariel and his team members have even qualified to compete in the robotics team World Championships! In this episode Ariel talks about how the robotics team has gotten where they are today. 

 For this episode of College Matters we had the chance to interview Mrs.Loya and her son Rehman. Mrs.Loya is an environmental engineer and owns her own company while her son is becoming just as successful. Rehman has recently won the congressional award. Rehman tells us a little bit about his motivation and organization skills which helped him get where he is today. In addition, Mrs.Loya gives us insight into the environmental engineering field as a woman. 

For this episode of College Matters we had the chance to interview Caitlin Fuller at the University of Houston Hilton College! Caitlin currently serves as the recruitment manager at Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management 

We had the chance to speak to Caitlin about different programs they have to offer and scholarships that can awarded towards their students.

For this episode of College Matters we had the chance to interview Dr. Schoger at the University of Houston! Dr. Schoger currently serves as the Human Development & Family Studies Program Area Coordinator. 

We had the chance to speak to Dr. Schoger about stress and how to build coping mechanisms to overcome stress. 

Director of Career and & Job Placement Services James Mable informed us about amazing services at the Houston Community College. Houston Community College offers various degrees and courses to serve the needs of its individual students. HCC offers multiple education facilities and seven state-recognized Career and Technology/ Business programs. HCC is not only a place where you can take core classes but also a college where you can pursue a career. More information is at https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/career-planning/

Executive Director Marsha Lindsay at the Job Development, External and Employer Relations informed us about amazing services. Lone Star College is the Texas' largest and nation's 4th biggest community college system. Several partnerships with other institution makes your transition smoother. More information is on http://www.lonestar.edu/career-services.htm

During this episode of College Matters we had one of Harmony's first Alumni who has begun her practice as a dentist in the United States! 

Ilka shares her experience in Dentistry School, her job experience, what she may have done differently if she could re-do her educational experience and gives pointers to aspiring dentistry and medical students! 

In this episode of College Matters we traveled to the University of Texas at Austin and recorded this podcast with Norma Guerra-Gaier the Executive Director of the  Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. 

In this episode Ms. Guerra-Gaier presents the importance of students joining the College of Career Services at UT Austin and presents the importance of understanding of making early connections within the University environment and the job sector students are interested in before graduating. Not only does Ms. Guerra-Gaier present the importance of working and maintaining early network chains with employers but presents to us the importance of understanding the resources that Universities painstakingly accumulate for the student body to use and understand. 

Visit this webpage to gain access to the Career Center Directory at UT Austin to get into contact with one of 15 career services centers! 

https://recruit.utexas.edu/employers/career-center-directory/

In this episode of College Matters we have a guest from Center Point Energy Geoffrey Castro who gives us an insight into pursuing fields that our degrees may not be traditionally related. 

Through the use of mixing and matching Internship experiences, Undergraduate Major, and other experiences and titles there are many opportunities to greatly increase the positions that future graduates can hold. The greatest requirement being the capability to expand vision and gain experience. 

In this episode we continue with the Medical School Experience with Edrianna Ablola who is attending Ross University School of Medicine. Edrianna takes us step by through her Medical School acceptance, experience, and gives us her suggestions on medical school expectations.