Current Student Combines Internships With Challenging Course of Study
Meet Christopher Stock, a current political science major who was recently honored as a student of the month by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. During Christopher’s undergraduate career, he has taken the opportunity to seek out internships (such as serving with the North Carolina Republican Party), actively participate in a number of university clubs, and engage in an interdisciplinary course of study in which he’s broadened his knowledge and understanding of finance, political science, and the Chinese language.
Sample Courses:
- International Relations
- Mathematics of Finance
- Elementary Chinese
Activities:
- Intern, North Carolina Republican Party, Spring 2015
- NC State University Ambassador
- Incoming president, Mock Trial Team
- Member, Political Science Club
- Member, Student Government Diversity Committee
- Member, SPEL (Society for Economics, Politics and Law)
- Assistant Chef, Hasentree Country Club (Wake Forest, NC)
Honors: Dean’s List, Fall 2014
Postgraduate Plans: Law school, followed by a position in a District Attorney’s office.
What do you enjoy most about Humanities and Social Sciences? How easy it is to get involved. There are so many opportunities out there, and the university makes it simple to find them. I got my current internship after reading about it in a college e-mail, and I have applied for other positions through ePack, the Career Development Center database. I have also enjoyed getting to know Professor Kathy Chen, who has been my Chinese instructor for two semesters. She is wonderful at teaching the language to native English speakers. The class size is only about 15 students, and meeting three times a week, we all talk informally and become very comfortable with each other.
What are some of your favorite Humanities and Social Sciences courses? I enjoyed International Relations with Dr. Clifford Griffin, which allowed me to see foreign policy from more than an American perspective. I am currently taking The Justice System in the American Political Process online with Dr. Amanda Edwards. Dr. Edwards provides good opportunities to interact, even though it is a distance education course. I think I prefer the in-person learning environment, but this class is nonetheless opening my eyes to important concepts.
What has been your greatest challenge so far? Definitely time management! I was very ambitious when I began here. I took 17 credit hours my first semester, and joined several student organizations. It is imperative to learn to balance your activities with your coursework and studying.
What advice would you give incoming students? Put yourself out there. Keep an eye out for activities that appeal to you, and follow up! Attend an event, or send an internship application. Being involved is extremely important for networking, and for starting to build your resume early on.
