Finding the Right Fit at SU and with Recreation Services

By Samantha Dana, class of 2013

I am a junior dietetics major with a minor is psychology.  I knew I wanted to go to Syracuse University when I was junior in high school. At an after-school meeting about colleges, Syracuse was brought up to the group. They said it was a very big sports school, and at the time, that was one of the criteria I was looking for in a University, so I decided to take a further look.

At first, I wanted to be an advertising major and I knew the Newhouse School of Communications was one of the best communication schools in the country. During my research, my many colleges didn’t offer advertising as its own major, instead more of a communications path, so I was very pleased to see that Newhouse had singled it out; however, I was just a junior in high school and still trying to figure things out.

My turning point was when I had to take a small section on nutrition in my gym class. Something about the class stuck with me. I always enjoyed watching shows about weight management or eating disorders, as strange as that may seem. I found them fascinating. I also loved to read nutrition labels as well. After the class, I revisited the majors offered at Syracuse and I saw that dietetics was one of them. I knew at that moment I was going to apply for an early decision and hope for the best.

Fortunately, I got accepted through early decision, and I will never forget that day. My parents were on a cruise, but my best friend was there and I honestly don’t think I was ever that excited in my life.

During my freshman year I decided not to have a job because I thought it was more important for me to focus on school since it was new waters and I wanted to make sure I got the hang of it. By the end of the year, I knew I needed to get a job. I had been working since I was 14 years old. Making my own income was really important to me, so it didn’t feel right just taking money from my parents. The summer following my freshman year I applied for two jobs on campus: one to be an office assistant and one to be a fitness attendant at the gyms. I was not only granted the great pleasure of getting a job as the office assistant, I got the job to be a fitness attendant, too. I went from no jobs to two jobs in a matter of a week and I was very excited to start work. I didn’t know the jobs were through Recreation Services until both my supervisors told me I had to go to training, which was on the same day, at the same time, and at the same place. It finally clicked that I was now part of the Recreation Services family.

Working in the gym, I’ve learned a lot about responsibility, showing up on time for your shifts, making sure everyone is safe and using the equipment properly, making sure the facility is clean, and so on. This year, I was promoted to one of the supervisors of Archbold Gymnasium. I now have even more responsibility than before, and I actually really enjoy it. It makes me feel good about myself. 

I honestly can say that I really enjoy working for both of my supervisors, Lori Alexander and Tim Eddy. By working in the office, I’ve gotten to know all of the staff, which is probably my favorite part of this job because these are some of the nicest people I know. I’ve also done promotional work and have helped out at the health and wellness fair.

After only one year of working for Recreation Services, I received the Emerging Student Leadership award, and I was also the runner-up out of 6,000 student employees for Student Employee of the Year.

I couldn’t have asked for a better experience so far at SU. I love both my jobs and I am so happy that I am part of Recreation Services. I am ecstatic with my decision to go to Syracuse. I wouldn’t change anything about it.