Syracuse University

Student Spotlight

Annu Joseph, Biology and anthropology, class of 2010, Yonkers, NY

AnnuJoseph-004.jpgWhy did you choose SU?
After visiting the campus as a senior in high school. During the visit, I got to meet with admission counselors and students who described the spectrum of academic and student involvement opportunities at SU. I felt it offered the right balance of new learning experiences to acquire the skills and knowledge I needed to thrive as a college student. SU also helped me discover my passion for community service and volunteering at local hospitals and schools.

What has been your most meaningful experience so far?
So far, it has been my involvement as a volunteer in the Child Life Program at the SUNY Upstate Medical Hospital, which is located a short distance from campus. I aspire to be a physician assistant in pediatrics, and being a volunteer in the Child Life Program has helped me envision my future role as an advocate for the health and well-being of children.

What's the secret of your success at SU?
As an Orientation Leader at SU, I always advise the first-year students to explore not only what the University offers, but what the whole of Syracuse has to offer. I follow my own advice. Many students tend to wait for an opportunity to come looking for them, but I believe in finding opportunities myself by exploring, learning, and networking. We all come to college with aspirations and future endeavors, and the hope to fulfill them. If you want make that happen, you have to step outside your comfort zone and be open to possibility. Step outside the campus, visit some local schools, and find how you can get involved.

How have you changed since you've been here?
In the three years that I have been here, I have been surprised by how much I've learned about myself. For example, my passion for community service has been with me since high school, but the experiences I've had here have shaped my character and helped me become more proactive. From helping a refugee student learn to read in English, to guiding a first-year student in transitioning into SU, I see the difference in myself when I make a difference in the community.

What do you plan do after you graduate?
I plan to complete a master's degree in physician assistant studies and work at a local children’s hospital. I will also continue community service. I also plan to do some travelling, because as an anthropology major, I am fascinated by how cultures and languages develop, and more importantly, how cultures can be very similar to each other. As a medical advocate and a future world traveler, I hope to apply my skills to help build better medical infrastructures in countries impacted by war and poverty.