Pushing herself outside her comfort zone
NAME: Andrea Salow
CLASS YEAR: 2022
HOMETOWN: Manchester, Iowa
MAJOR: Business administration
MINORS: Multimedia journalism, Spanish, leadership
ON-CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: St. Elizabeth’s Chorale, Student Ambassadors, Homecoming Committee Volunteer, Wartburg Trumpet writer, Orange Connection, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE WARTBURG: There are two main reasons. It was far enough where I could feel independent, but it is close enough that I could make it home if anything happened. The second reason is that once I stepped on campus, it felt very much like a second home and community. I very much wanted to be a part of something, and I knew that I would have the help and support to. Also, just the fact there are so many opportunities despite the fact that the college is a small college. The fact that students can do music and athletics together, you can study abroad during your time, do job showing or internships with alumni, and get to do some really cool traditions.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR MAJOR: I decided to choose that after switching over from being a journalism and communication major my first year. I decided to switch over because business is need in all different departments, jobs, and positions everywhere. I also found that my strengths really laid in the leadership that traditionally had authority, so I was used to understanding the different tactics behind it. Not to mention, my mom works inside of a business so she has also taught me that along the way, which really drew me in.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR MINORS: When I decided to switch into business, I still wanted to keep journalism and communication as a minor because I knew how important communication was for about any position. My Spanish minor I decided to add after I had taken an introductory Spanish course here, and I had already taken three to four years in high school, so it made sense. The leadership minor really helped in those broad areas of how I am a leader, how can I encourage others to do their own leading, and how can I better understand the academic side of leadership and how it is portrayed.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION: I have accepted a job at Wartburg as a part of the Admissions staff. I actually have been working with them as a work-study for the last three years. I will be an admissions counselor.
HOW DID ORANGE CONNECTION HELP YOU FOCUS YOUR DECISION TO MAJOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: My Orange Connection experience really helped me solidify that yes, I want to be a business major. Through the OC process, I learned that although some jobs seem strict with their skills and requirements needed, most of them have a lot of flexibility in hiring and employing peoplewho aren’t 100 percent within the criteria but more than willing to work; they typically want people from different backgrounds that can be a jack-of-all-trades more than focusing on one single task.
WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR ORANGE CONNECTION EXPERIENCE: I really enjoyed the opportunity to explore more of a metropolitan area and learning how people work in a larger area. I’ve had the chance to visit and explore larger cities for a few days, but never the chance to fully immerse myself in a city-like setting for multiple days and being seen as a resident rather than a tourist.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU NEVER IMAGINED YOU WOULD DO BEFORE COMING TO WARTBURG: I didn’t imagine that I could be involved in anything and everything I wanted all at once at Wartburg. I love that you have the chance to participate in student organizations, volunteer opportunities, athletics, music, and still have time to have fun and pursue your education; the diversification of activities and people themselves here at Wartburg is what I did not expect, but love and am so thankful for.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT CAMPUS LIFE: I like that you get to have fun and take breaks from your education very often; resident assistants love holding their floor programs, student orgs help you learn more about their cause and take a break from everyday busy life. It makes it easy for one to relax and destress.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WARTBURG MEMORY: My favorite Wartburg memory so far would be our “Winter Outfly” where the windchill reached around -60 degrees; I remember sitting in choir and seeing an email on my phone pop up from the Juice saying that everything was cancelled the next day due to weather, and everyone was so excited.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS: I would say to get outside of your comfort zone. That is something that I have really experienced whether that is getting involved in activities that I never thought I would, meeting new people, getting into new departments, or exploring career opportunities. Just be willing and diligent to stretch yourself while on campus.
WHY HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN WORTH IT: The number of opportunities even though we are a small community. The level of support has been a huge thing as well. Your professors know you, they want to help you out and help you to succeed as much as possible. The big thing about Wartburg is that they want to see you succeed regardless of where you want to go in life.