The 2019 Union Board of Directors were asked to share some details regarding their summer experiences. Before we all know it, they will be back in Bloomington for the first day of classes on August 26. Before then, enjoy this brief recap of some of their summer adventures.
Hannah Marshall, Vice President of Internal Affairs
Summer spent in: London, England
What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?
I am doing an 8-week internship in London, England at a concert agency called ATC Live. I am living right in the heart of London and loving my time here! Once my internship is over I will be going to explore France for a week before returning to the states and getting ready to start my final year at Indiana University.
How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?
Over the summer I am making sure that directors are staying in constant contact with each other so we don’t lose any momentum coming back in the fall. I am also talking with our Assistant Directors and Marketing Leads about how to make their experience on board better!
What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?
One thing I have learned, as simple as it may be, is that not everyone works and operates the same way you do. You need to be adaptable to however others operate better – especially in my role. I want to carry this through to the second half of my term to try to better communication among all aspects of the board.
Sohile Ali, Vice President of Marketing
Summer spent in: New York City
What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?
I am working in New York as a Production Intern at Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.
How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?
Coordinating marketing for the Welcome Week Block Party 2019 with our Music Directors. Providing assistance for the Summer Board 2019 Directors. Working closely with fellow Executive Union Board Directors and our Advisors to plan and execute our new events for the upcoming Fall 2019 semester.
What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?
Communication is everything. Sharing ideas and having critical conversations about our events and programs during board meetings is how we will continue to improve and innovate. Through working with fellow IU students I’ve learned the best way for me to be a leader in my role personally. Also, Box at IU and Slack are godsends.
Seth Blunt, Director of Performance & Entertainment
Summer spent in: Bloomington, IN
What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?
I’m am planning on visiting Chicago for my sisters birthday and going to Lollapalooza. I’m the current chair for summer board, and I am interning and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?
I am continuing to plan p&e events up until spring 2020. Along with acting as chair for the summer board.
What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?
Plan ahead and set others up for success.
Fuhang Mou, Director of Interdisciplinary Connections
Summer spent in: Indianapolis, IN
What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?
- Internship
- Hanging out with friends
- Traveling
How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?
Staying connected with my committee and engaging them early on
What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?
Keeping work-life balance and not worrying about minute things.
Teja Vontikommu, Vice President of Finance
Summer spent in: Singapore
What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?
This summer, I am interning at a smart solution company in Singapore at Variantz, a smart solution company. My role in this organization is a Summer Financial Analyst. Alongside my internship, I’m taking a summer class that allows me to understand how the workplace utilizes different characteristics of culture.
How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?
I’m updating all of the approved proposals that directors sent in the last fiscal year to ensure that directors are ready to start hosting programs once the fall semester starts. I’m also advising committees on how they can spend money as they continue to plan events for the fall semester. Lastly, I’m making sure that Summer Board is utilizing the money that the Union Board of Directors gave them for the summer.
What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?
I learned that some programs will encounter some unexpected costs that directors cannot always anticipate. That’s why I’m working on implementing a set buffer to proposals and creating a cost sheet that will help directors ensure that they cover other costs and have more accurate proposals. I’m also learned that communication is key to making sure that programs run successfully. This taught me that I should check in with directors as they plan their program too so that they can be prepared for any day-of issues and ensure that there aren’t overlaps in Union Board’s programs.
Alaina Patterson, Director of Films
Summer spent in: New York City
What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?
I am an intern for UNIQLO the global retail company! I am a Store Operations Intern; which means that I learn about the retail experience and all of the responsibilities a manager has! I have learned a lot about the role of a Store Manager at UNIQLO and I have met many amazing people in the company!
How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?
I am contributing to Union Board by planning out the fall general films schedule and Sundance movies as well! Also, I have been reaching out to directors and producers to come to IU for a small lecture!
What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?
As a Union Board Director, I have learned to plan months in advance for every event and always have a plan B in place! Also, to appreciate every day in the office because the energy that everyone brings is awesome! For the second half of my term, I will keep planning ahead and think more creatively about my events!
Patricia Cornejo, President
Summer spent in: Lima, Peru & Munster, IN
What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?
This summer I traveled to Peru for a study abroad program. I learned about different Spanish business communities, I explored Lima, learned the customs of an indigenous community, celebrated my 21st birthday, made lifelong friends, and had the best coffee in the world. Since I have been back in the US, I have been working as a sales associate, studying for the LSAT, and working on bettering Union Board for the fall.
How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?
One thing I am working on is developing a 5-year plan for Union Board, from this plan I will see what I can do to expand the breadth of our organization on campus while developing plans to recruit and retain members. I am also connecting with multicultural groups and other student organizations such as IUSG and RHA. Lastly, I am encouraging my directors to plan ahead so we can have some of the best programming possible.
What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?
As President, you have to keep your eyes on the big picture: expansion, recruitment, and retention. My days are occupied by meetings, phone calls, answering e-mails, all while being a student! Sometimes, one can lose sight of what is actually important and needs to be prioritized. This summer, I have been working on some of the smaller details, so I can completely focus on building connections and expanding our organization on-campus in the fall.
Ethan Schwartz, Director of Lectures
Summer spent in: Los Angeles, CA & Indianapolis, IN
What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?
For the first month of the summer, I returned to my internship from last summer as a Media Relations intern at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After the Indy 500, I went back home to LA to begin my 10-week internship at Warner Bros. where I am working as a Marketing and Communications intern.
How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?
I’ve been arranging sponsorships for our fall lecture which is going to be in late October. My co-Director and I have been reaching out to different Dean’s across campus aiming to form partnerships. So far we’ve secured over ten thousand dollars in sponsorship from two Dean’s and are working with several others to get even more!
What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?
Plan early. By far the most important. You don’t need to plan early to have a successful event, but it’s always going to be a smoother process to have a longer frame of view versus planning in the short-term.
Sadia Habib, Director of Science and Environment
Summer spent in: Bangladesh
What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?
My plans for the summer has been to unwind and enjoy my time with family & friends while eating lots and lots of great food of the southeastern subcontinent. However, I’ve also been involved in doing some charity work which involves distributing food packages to the needy.
How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?
My team and I have been working on our upcoming events for the year. We’re excited to present some new ideas with which we’re planning on bringing some big names to IU. We have also been working hard to work out the details of our existing programs already planned.
What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?
Teamwork is the key to any great success story. Being able to connect with my committee and co-director during this first term has been essential in getting things done and I hope to enhance that ability even further this coming year. I also hope to come in with an optimistic and relaxed mindset, ready to get the year started with lots of fresh energy!
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