Tag Archives: leader

Making Your Voice Heard at FIT

It feels like it’s been forever… and unfortunately, yes, yes it has! But nonetheless I am back, and surely this year has already been a whirlwind of new experiences, emotions, and preparation for the future that will all be written about! Enough of my personal babble, let’s talk… ELECTIONS!

After the mess of the presidential campaign, I find the Student Government Association’s elections to be an enjoyable process that enables the students of FIT to ACTUALLY get their voices heard. If you are a prospective student, this is a great read to know how you can get involved in school in the near future!

Here’s the scoop! Every Spring, the Student Gov’t Association (SGA) searches for the next year’s executive board. Informational sessions start at the beginning of the semester, leading into an announcement party in which the election committee handles. Out of the positions ranging between 22-24 depeneding on the year, nine (9) are able to be voted on by YOU, and the rest are conducted through an interview process. These positions are extremely important roles that can shape the following years events, activities, etc.

These are the nine (9) positions that are up to you to vote on:

President
Vice President
Executive Secretary
Director of Communications
Director of Finance
Director of Programming
Director of Student Advocacy
Director of Student Organizations
Director of Sustainability

The following are the other positions you could interview for in the future:

Coord. of Graphic Design
Coord. of Digital and Social Media
Coord. of Alumni Engagement
Coord. of Athletics and Wellness
Coord. of Commuter Affairs
Coord. of Residential Affairs
Coord. of Campus Diversity and Inclusion
Coord. of Campus Day Events
Coord. of Campus Evening Events
Coord. of Off-Campus Events
Coord. of Seventh Floor Events
Programming Secretary/Treasurer
Treasurer

Why vote you may ask? The FIT SGA is the voice of the 10,000+ students on campus. They are direct middle-men/women of the student body to faculty and administration, and uphold the power to make a difference on campus! They are here for YOU, so make YOUR voice heard!

Current FIT students, make your voice heard now by voting here, the polls close on March 17th, 2017 at 12pm. For prospectve students or current students looking to get involved next year, find out more information here!

For more information on this year’s candidates, check out W27’s Election Issue, out now on campus, and available online here!

Notes From The 6 Train: Leadership Workshop!

I write this on the bus returning from Armank, New York, where the 40th annual FIT leadership workshop was held. I, along with about 35 other FIT student leaders, traveled to the woods to bond, get away from the city and eat good vegetarian food (well, at least that’s why I went), and of course to amp our leadership skills!

Exhibit A

Honestly, this was the most I’ve ever talk to FIT students. Firstly, since we were the only people at the facility for 2 days we were forced to talk to each other fact. Additionally, I’m a commuter student so when I come on campus it’s do a job; attending class or a meeting, or studying. I find that other people experience this tunnel mind when they are on campus as well. Sometimes we need to be pulled out of comfort zone so that we are able to meet new people. That’s exactly what happened! I connected with a bunch of people that I never would have met otherwise.

Communal Gratiffi Board

Not only did I meet new people but I also learned a lot about myself. (Sounds very cliche, I know) but bear with me. I have had a number leadership trainings, so going on this retreat was a refresher of knowledge I’d acquired in the past. It also helped me see how much I’ve grown, and what I still need to work on. I also did get a break and enjoy some nature. It was beyond beautiful. I got to see the changing leaves and see some deer! Taking a break from the city is important to me, I know I need to be around nature to feel balanced.

This workshop is offered once in the fall ad again in the spring. It’s highly sought after, so whenever you see the posters around the school be sure to sign up immediately.

The attendees!

All things Color, Love, & Fashion,
Ayanna L.

Notes From the 6 Train: Getting Down With the Group

The other reality during finals is, as if there weren’t enough things to do, it’s prime time for group assignments. Or, at the very least, it’s when projects and presentations are due. is that reality of how to work in group projects. Once, again, I’ve composed a short list of things I’ve learned. (I’m really sporadic in real life, so lists help me organize my constantly avalanching thoughts.

1. Respect other group member’s time. This is especially true for FIT since so many students commute. Some come from moderately close, like me, or from a bit further like Long Island of New Jersey, and some come from even further like Connecticut. Though there aren’t a lot of people in the last category, they do exist, and may only be taking classes one day a week, so finding a time to meet with them may be a bit of challenge. Which brings me to my next point,

2. We have technology to help cut through distance problems, use it! Group messaging is a lifesaver. I used group messaging for all of my group projects this semester. We also used Google Docs. For my semester long project, it was a life saver! Google Docs is located in the Google Drive and is a free web based office suite. Documents, power points, folders, spreadsheets, forms and drawings, can all edited ans stored in this comprehensive suite. The best part is that multiple people can work on the documents on the same time. This is obviously a huge advantage when working in a group setting. As soon as one of my group members posted something I was able to immediately provide feedback, which is pretty convenient.

3.Volunteer to be the group leader! It may be additional work, but there are so many benefits. Firstly, teachers always appreciate people who step up. Being a group leader helps you to be a better group member in other situations, ( ie. job, internships, clubs,etc.). Also, when you’re the group leader and you are able to learn what does and doesn’t work in group settings, and you have to be the one to make sure it all comes together since you’re the one responsible for the group. Lastly, and what I think is most important, you you get to know what the experience is like. When you are in the role of a leader, and become comfortable in that role, it’s what you begin to strive for. When you act as a leader for so long, you may realize that it’s the only option for you, That small piece of knowledge can change your world.

4. Lastly, practice! If it’s an oral presentation take at least 30 minutes the week of the presentation to practice so everyone gets comfortable. Presenting in front of the entire class can be nerve-wrecking and being completely unprepared only heighten anxieties.

After this post, there will no more talks of finals ans tests from me. I’m over them & I’m everyone else who is/ recently finished finals is as well. So that’e enough for the test talk. This topic was jut super relevant. Now, on to other things!

All things Color, Love & Fashion,

Ayanna L.