Hey guys!  My name is Sydney, I’m from Richmond, Virginia, but I have family from Pennsylvania so I’m familiar with area.  I’m a Communications Major with a Minor in Sociology and hopefully a Leadership Certificate from CGS.  My main hobbies are reading and cooking, but I spend a lot of time on the James River when I’m home during the summer and I try my best to ski in the winter.  A controversial fun fact about me is that I really like pineapple on my pizza, and I love pistachio ice cream.  When it comes to work outside of school, I’m really passionate about non-profit work partially because my most valuable work experience has been with children in an underserved Pittsburgh community.  In the future, I really just want to do something fulfilling.  I’ve never had a dream job in mind, I just know I don’t want a desk job.  I think I want to something people facing and work directly with communities or other people.  On the flip side, I’d love to put this communications degree to work and do something in publishing.  Currently, I do office assistance and event work for Dietrich.

I’m participating in the Leadership in the Himalayas program.  I chose this program because I did Panther Leadership Academy, and this program was suggested for students interested in furthering their leadership.  After the fact, I realized this program could also contribute to my Leadership Certificate which I also found out about through PLA.  Personally, I want to continue to develop my leadership skills, but I also want to learn more about a new culture.  The other countries I’ve visited are culturally similar to the United States, so I’m excited for this opportunity to learn from different people.  I hope to come back a more inclusive leader and work past my own personal biases.  Professionally, I think this will help me forever in whatever job I end up with.  You never stop learning when it comes to leadership, and I think this will help me be leadership minded in any position.  Mostly, I want to have fun.  India has always been a bucket list trip for me, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me when I get there.