When I applied to the U, I had no work experience in my area of study (which was engineering at the time). Most of my experience came from extracurricular activities, and I found that balancing my STEM experience with activities in the humanities helped me stand apart from other applicants. I received a handful of scholarships, a job, and some student officer positions based on my high school experience. I was then able to use those positions to gain experience for jobs I applied for later in my degree.

While at the U, I participated in a huge range of student organizations focused on everything from astronomy to publishing a literary journal. I've worked for the U and for other companies in the Twin Cities. I have experience in both CSE (College of Science and Engineering) and CLA (College of Liberal Arts) and can speak to the processes of changing my major, declaring minors, and generally figuring out what I was doing while I was doing it.

The University of Minnesota has so many opportunities, but it can take a little work to find them.