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.

A former Harmony Alum, Esat Bayar, started his own fellowship based on the influence of his childhood experiences. The Bayar Fellowship Provides four high school students with a $220 grant, a financial knowledge curriculum, and pairs them up with a Harvard mentor. Website: https://bayarfellowship.wixsite.com/home

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

We discussed admission requirements, how to get in, different aspects of PT and future of PT. https://twu.edu/physical-therapy/

We discussed the career opportunities, co-op options, college and career success with Assistant Director Dr. Norman . http://career.egr.uh.edu/

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.

In this episode, we visited Texas State Technical College and discussed their skill based programs with the recruitment Coordinator Ms. Yulonda Durst. https://www.tstc.edu/

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 Layla Kratovic one of our alumni and a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship! Layla tells us a little bit about what the Fulbright scholarship is and how she applied and won. Layla will now have the opportunity to do psychology related research abroad, in addition to her living expenses covered. To learn more visit the website at https://us.fulbrightonline.org/

For this episode on College Matters we had the chance to interview the Prairie View Student Nurses Association’s vice president Diana. The PVAMU College of Nursing program is located in the Texas Medical Center, and continues to stand out as an amazing nursing program. Diana tells us a little bit about being an undergraduate pre-nursing student at PVAMU and all of the hard work that goes into it. To learn more visit the website at http://www.pvamu.edu/nursing/programs/

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 on College Matters we had a chance to talk to Juliet Stipeche the director of the Mayor's Office of Education! Juliet tells us about their Hire Houston Youth program which offers youth ages 16-24 opportunities for internships and jobs throughout the Houston area. All positions are from public and private employers and are even compensated! This allows for both the benefit of experience and time. To learn more visit the website at https://hirehoustonyouth.org/

For this episode of College Matters we had the chance to interview Ms.Sangeeta at the University of Houston-Downtown. Ms.Sangeeta is the program director for Houston Prep which helps middle and high school students participate in a hands on summer program. This program gives a glance of STEM education and even SAT prep. The Houston Prep program is provided at no cost to accepted students To learn more visit the website at https://www.uhd.edu/academics/sciences/houston-prep/Pages/default.aspx

For this episode of College Matters we had the chance to interview Nakia Edwards at Houston Community College! Nakia Edwards is the director of workforce and career training under adult education at HCC. We were informed of a grant that they offer which could change your life for only $20. You can get certified in construction management or even in healthcare academics. To learn more visit the website at https://www.hccs.edu/programs/adult-education/career4u-academy/

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

We had the chance to record a podcast with Elsa Schieffelin at Rice University! Elsa Schieffelin presented to us the resources that Rice University offered, as well as the changing of the job market to reflect a new reality: New employers are looking for skilled college graduates then those with titles, that internships are paramount to the needs of the 21st century workforce. Click here to access Rice Universities Center for College Readiness!

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 visited the KIPP Charter School system and met with the United for College Success director Ms. Yvonne Eype! Ms. Eype talks about the importance of keeping your high school contacts in touch with your personal life as you progress into higher education allowing students to transition easily between the social environment of high school and university actively and effectively enabling students to achieve greater success.

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 of College Matters we tried a new format of interviewing in which we had two guests! We were at Rice University visiting the School Mathematics Project, and had a chance to do a podcast with the Director Dr. Anne Papakonstantinou and the Executive Director Dr. Richard Parr of this program. The School Mathematics Program aims to make STEM related, and especially Math related programs accessible, fun, and to allow for students to be acquainted with mathematics at a much younger age preparing them for college by educating school teachers with programs designed around re-thinking the way we approach and see math. If you would like to find out more about this program please make sure to visit: https://rusmp.rice.edu Both Dr. Papakonstantinou and Dr. Parr stressed the importance of teaching math at a young age and allowing for students to gain an early interest in understanding higher mathematics and allowing for students to be more successful in higher education.

Today we have with us Johnny Brown, a Harmony Alumni who talks about restarting his college career after having to deal with issues outside of academics and how he was able to find vision, motivation, and a sense of direction even in the most bleak times. This topic is a major concern for many college students who may have problems outside of university life and feel pressured to quit after the first major challenge. Johnny takes us through times in his life which caused him to pause his education and then find the resolve to get back into University and to continue his higher education against all odds.

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.

In this episode we hosted Michael Zucker from the University of Texas at San Antonio in which Mr. Zucker introduced to us the Life Long Career Counseling Program they are offering to all students and alumni! UTSA College Counseling Page: https://careercenter.utsa.edu To contact Mr. Zuker please use this email: MICHAEL.ZUCKER@UTSA.EDU

Today we hosted an episode with Layla Kratovic a graduate from Harmony School of Advancement in 2016 and a current University of Houston Senior. Layla is majoring in Psychology and is actively conducting research in University Psychology Institutions and today explains giving us step by step procedure in regards to joining a research program at your university.

In this Episode we have as our guest Alejandro Moyron who attends the University of St. Thomas and is from the class of 2018 Harmony Science Academy Sugarland Campus. He is currently studying Biochemistry and is doing Pre-Med. Alejandro talks about his self startup business and how he managed to pay off his own tuition by a self made business!

Understanding the importance of minors in undergraduate degrees.

We had a chance to do an interview with the College and Career Services Center at the University of Houston with Career Counselor Lauren Hermann! Ms. Hermann talked about the importance of early career building and what services the University of Houston provides for students, how to gain access to them, and what resources students have access to. Ms. Hermann and her fellow counselor peers focus on student oriented success services in regards to resume building, interview preparations, internships and job application, career exploration, and assisting students in all aspects of achieving success. Ms. Hermann talked about: -Career Services and what is provided -Requirements and fees -When Students should visit the UCS program -What students at other universities can do -Career exploratory services To visit the University of Houston Career Services Center please go to: www.Uh.edu/ucs

Today we got to talk to Andrew Nguyen on the topic of overcoming social challenges, using resources like college counseling, overcoming fears and prejudices in regards to self help.

This time we have with us Ms. Fidelis who is the mother of one of our Harmony Alumni, Stephanie Fidelis who graduated in 2018 of May this year, and is attending the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma! Ms. Fidelis talks about her experience with her Child choosing to go out of State and attend the University of Tulsa, communication, as well as being at ease of the choice.