How One Professor changed my life

Go to class. Go home. Go to class. Go home.

That is what I did in my first few weeks of community college. I didn't know any better. 

But then a professor wrote two words on an essay that changed my life:

"See Me."

I was terrified. But I went to his office anyway to find out if I was failing miserably in college.

It turned out, however, that he wanted to tell me about the college's honors program and how I could join. He also told me how community college could be a launching point to wherever I wanted to go in my life.

He challenged me to be more, to do more, and to accomplish more. 

That moment is what inspired the One Professor campaign that has today yielded over 500 videos from students across the country, sharing moments of how a professor has changed their life. 

I've learned that I'm not the only one with moments like this. Students have shown us that professors are helping them reach their goals both inside and especially outside the classroom. 

Most of the time it's those little moments of encouragement and advice that can make all the difference in a student's life. 

The One Professor campaign continues, and it now offers the ability for you to honor your professor in just a few minutes without having to turn on your camera - simply go to PearsonStudents.com/OneProfessor and write a sentence or two about how a professor has made a difference in your life! 

Your quote will be turned into a meme and be added to our Pinterest wall of quotes. Your professor will see the quote and be mailed a certificate of thanks.

So what are you waiting for? Take a few minutes and thank a professor for helping you get through this complicated journey called college, and become a part of this national movement. It would mean a lot to me as well.

I can't wait to read about you and your professor!

Fill out the form to thank your One Professor here. 

How to break out of your comfort zone in college

Breaking out of your comfort zone is one of the most important things you can do to have a successful college experience. There are so many opportunities at your fingertips, but all of them require you to get a little uncomfortable at first. 

Check out this video I did for the Pearson Students blog that shares a few tips on how to find the courage to break outside of your comfort zone.

I got pied in the face!

We asked and you guys listened - the One Professor campaign reached its goal of 500 video submissions honoring the amazing professors who change our lives.

A few months ago, at the request of the Pearson Students, I agreed (what was I thinking?) to get pied in the face if we reached 500 videos. 

The video below gives you that moment. It was a surprise to say the least. :)

The One Professor campaign is still going and we would love to honor your professor. Learn more at PearsonStudents.com/OneProfessor.

CC student and former drug addict brings prevention education to teens

I contribute to Pearson Students' P.S. Blog, and the latest feature I did truly touched my heart. I interviewed Danny Brannon, a student who began community college at the age of 46; and after years in and out of rehab and jail, he has not only restarted his life, but is using his story to inspire teens. 

Here is a preview:

Danny grew up in South Baltimore, in a family deeply affected by alcoholism: “As a child, I had very little self-worth. I felt so inadequate,” he began as he painted a picture of his dark childhood. “I think I really turned everything inside, and my hurt began to turn to anger.” To escape from the pain, at the incredibly young age of ten, Danny began using drugs.

“I spent my whole life in institutions since I was ten years old. I went to rehab maybe 30 times, was arrested often, spent time in schools for troubled boys, and spent many nights sleeping on the streets,” he explains of his unconventional childhood.

Danny did not continue formal school past the 9th grade, and went on to complete his GED by the age of 16... Read Danny's entire story on the P.S...Blog.

Pie me in the face and honor your One Professor

I am the Student Success Celebrity Ambassador for Pearson's One Professor campaign....and the students have decided that being an ambassador is going to have to involve pie....in the face. Learn more @ PearsonStudents.com/OneProfessor 

If One Professor reaches 500 videos by April 6, 2013, a live pie-in-the-face extravaganza will take place (and be filmed) at the 2013 International Phi Theta Kappa Convention (April 3-6 in San Jose, CA). 

Best way to network and get top-notch work experience in college

Disclosure: I consult with Pearson Students; it is one of my favorite parts of my job. However, Pearson Students is not paying me to write this blog post. I am writing it of my own volition because I feel very passionate about what their student program offers, and after seeing it up close this past week, I knew I just had to share the opportunity with you. 

This past week I spent some time at a conference with the Pearson Student Advisory Board. You've probably heard me talk about Pearson before, as I consult with them, contribute to their student blog, and serve as the ambassador for the One Professor campaign. 

I first met the Pearson Student Advisory Board in New York where they were introduced to each other and all the things they would be contributing as part of their job this year. In short, the Board is made up of about 12 college students from across the country who do projects to inform a variety of Pearson company projects. 

At the Pearson conference, I was blown away by how much the executives at Pearson really listen to the Student Advisory Board. They take their opinions very seriously, and this week I got to witness these incredible college students making major decisions for a corporation!

It is so amazing for these students to have exposure to top executives and be able to contribute to major business decisions at such a young age; all students should have the opportunity to contribute to an organization before graduation in order to get pumped for their future job.

And that is exactly what happened to these students this past week; they started to get incredibly excited for their future careers. While some of them want to work at Pearson, and others as lawyers, engineers, or teachers, they all started to see that life after college could be pretty cool. 

Their confidence seemed to grow with every handshake from a CEO or VP, and by the end of the conference you couldn't tell the students apart from the actual employees of the company. They were professionals. 

This can be you. Whether it's with Pearson or another leadership or internship program at a company you're interested in, I highly encourage you to start researching and applying for programs that can give you this kind of exposure and experience. 

The PSAB members will tell you how much they've benefitted from the professional development, networking, and friendships, not to mention getting paid a stipend and getting to travel to places like New York and Florida for free! (If you want to connect with one of them for more information or advice just let me know and I can put you in touch.) 

Applications to serve on the 2013-2014 Pearson Student Advisory Board are currently open until February 11, 2013. The application process is very competitive, so you'll definitely want to start prepping as soon as possible. 

It's a great opportunity for any student who wants to grow professionally, and it's especially ideal if you're interested in business, education, publishing, marketing, editing, communications, public relations, or higher education. 

Pearson also has a Pearson Campus Ambassador program, which is a paid hourly job you can do from your campus, with the potential to move up to become a Regional Coordinator, which offers incredible management experience. 

I highly encourage you to start searching for advisory board or internship programs at companies that fascinate and excite you. There is nothing more catalytic than mixing your college education with real-world experience.

Jumping on the stage with the PSAB's after they met the CEO

Are you always learning?

I consult for Pearson Students and one of the things I'm excited to be doing with them is contributing to their new P.S. Blog! 

I recently wrote a post about how always learning has changed my life, and three things you can do right now to make it a part of your life, and I wanted to share it with you too: 

"A lot of people ask me how I have been so successful at such a young age. I still have a long way to go, but my answer is always the same: I’m always learning.

If you walked into my apartment right now you would see six writing books on my “to-read” bookshelf. (Yes, I name my bookshelves. No, I’m not weird I promise)...." Read the rest of the article here!

I hope you enjoy :)