Earlier this year, A&S announced an award designed to honor 2 outstanding senior student employees each academic year. One of the winners of the 2014-2015 award was Savannah Tate. Savannah maintained a 3.82 cumulative GPA during her time as a student at UK. Before she even graduated, she was able to secure a full-time position working in the UK Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

We asked Savannah to share with us a few tidbits about her time as a student employee in A&S:

Q: How long have you worked in A&S as a student employee? 

A: I’ve worked with A&S as a student employee for three and a half years. 

Q: What has been your most memorable experience as a student employee? 

A: One of my most memorable experiences as a student worker was the realization that I could make a difference in the lives of others even in the few hours I spent at work per week. I realized that a smile, a kind word, and a helpful attitude can go a long way in brightening someone else’s day.

Q: What work product are you most proud of? 

A: Since my work was mostly service based, I am most proud of how many people I had the opportunity to help on a daily basis. It was so satisfying to be able to help stressed professors copy exams at the last minute or to  make sure an overwhelmed student finally found the answers he or she needed. 

Q: What are your plans after graduation? 

A: I have started a job in the Office of Undergraduate here at UK, and I plan to start enter a graduate program in the spring.

Q: Do you feel like your time in A&S prepared you for your career? 

A: Absolutely. Besides having the work experience to add to my resume, the professional and social skills I gained through my time in Biology were invaluable. I gained so much more confidence in my social ability, and the work experience really helped me identify what my strengths are. This enabled me to confidently convey to potential employers what I could offer to them.

Thank you, Savannah, for your years of service and assistance to the staff, faculty and students in A&S. We know you will continue to do great things at the University of Kentucky!