Dwaddy02

With the modern culture, education is seen as the key to success. Student development and different types of teaching is what can make or break a student's life....or is it? Being a student of color, I have seen and experienced the difficulties and benefits of being considered a "minority." Being a student at the University of Minnesota there is numerous ways of getting into the culture and being with other diverse students. I am currently a member of the INROADS organization, a group that focuses on student development in the business world. I don't believe this is an issue, but I believe that it is an issue for all the students, both colored and white who are not taking the initiative to reach out and grab opportunities such as internships, traveling abroad and seeking experiences that are life changing. This organization that I am in looks for students of color who are both talented, energetic and looking for a great experience. The only thing is.... finding students who want this.

I believe that organizations like INROADS is great but not enough students are taking advantage of the opportunities. With over 50000 students ion the U of M, only a small percentage of them ever go out and look into opportunities like INROADS. Students may feel as if they don't have time, or don't want to think about life after college yet, this is precisely the social design issue. Young adults who may not always be motivated to go above and beyond. Being required to do volunteer work in this course is great experience and eye-opening for many. Going to an alternative school where students that barely know english are excited to learn and push beyond the limits. Our society of young adults with surplus opportunities and they don't go out and do a little extra to succeed, then they wonder why they aren't rich or famous!

Now, this DOES NOT occur for all students. Some are over achievers and do go that extra mile, while others don't do anything. As we were assigned to do community service, I was surrounded by the echoing of sighs and groans, why is this? From college students who have the benefit of being in college and learning about the world, when all they have to do is help students that would give up there right arm for just a chance at what some of the groaning students have.

I am not an advocate for all students to jump up and save the world, go out and invent something great, or even change lives. What I am an advocate is for young adults who want to succeed. The students who are underprivileged, yet want to gain experience but can't get it because of money or status. INROADS bridges that gap for many, and there are plenty of other great opportunities and organizations that can help. The social design issue of not letting the students that really want to succeed is an issue, having as many experiences and internships, traveling etc. available, the better.