Where Are They Now? – Daniel Halek

Every month, two students are awarded $1,000 college scholarships from the YCL Scholarship Program. During the contest, you see their face every day on the website and perhaps even vote for them, but what happens after they receive the scholarship?

Periodically, we like to follow up with previous YCL winners to find out what they’re up to now and how the YCL Scholarship has made a difference in their lives.

What do you like most about your school?

At Seton Hall University, I love the small campus feel and  the ability to get know classmates and professors more intimately as opposed to being lost in the crowd.  At Seton Hall, I have had the privilege to learn from excellent professors and mentors. Seton Hall also provides excellent opportunities to network and learn from alumni who are interested in each student’s success at Seton Hall. 

What’s your major and why did you pick it?

I was blessed to have the opportunity to complete a triple major in Management, Finance and Information Technology at Seton Hall.  I am passionate about leadership and developing other people as leaders. Management classes provided the theory to know how to lead people and more importantly, how to know and lead yourself.  I also chose Finance as a major because I am very interested in the financial markets and the economy at large.  I wanted to learn how money is managed in financial markets and within large corporations. Finance is very broad, and I personally enjoy investment management classes and learning about the equity markets.  In addition, Information Technology is a part of every large corporation and the world in general. I believe it is imperative to know how to operate technology properly and learn various technological skills that assist one in any career they may choose.

      What would you say are the major differences between your high school experience and your college experience?

In college, there is an abundance of free time; in other words, time that is not spent in class learning from the professor. Students must make an effort to accomplish work on their own and have discipline to do the work. Good work habits are developed throughout middle and high school and must be carried over into college. Time management is something that cannot be overstated because there are a lot of different activities that can draw one’s attention. Success in college requires that one step outside of their comfort zone to take on new and exciting challenges and opportunities that can lead to great experiences.

We notice that you just recently graduated – congrats! What are your plans for after college?

I am excited to have received and accepted an offer from Kohl’s to become a Manager-In-Training. I plan to learn as much as possible from my superiors and continue to develop leadership skills that can help Kohl’s succeed as an organization.  

When did you win the YCL Scholarship?

I have been blessed to have received the YCL Scholarship about 4-5 months ago and also a few years ago. I was made aware of the scholarship by a friend in the church that I attend and I decided to apply.  The generosity of Mr. Dan Buttafuoco cannot be overstated. I am truly grateful for his investment into my life.

How has the YCL Scholarship made a difference in your college education?

Due to financial circumstances, after my freshman year at Seton Hall, I left to attend a community college with the hope of returning to Seton Hall University.  During that time, I received the YCL Scholarship and I was able to use the proceeds to help fund my studies at Seton Hall.  I believe that I can speak for many YCL Scholarship recipients, in that the scholarship is truly a financial assistance that helps lift the burden of paying off student loans in an economic environment where tuition costs are rising at a rapid pace.

In what ways are you continuing the YCL mission since winning the scholarship?

As often as possible I go to the YCL Scholarship webpage and vote for many highly qualified candidates that are entered into the contest each month.  I am always encouraged to see other students like myself that want to make a difference for God’s kingdom with the gifts and talents that they have been entrusted with.  It is often hard to vote for just one individual because so many of the students have a great number and a wide range of academic, athletic, and community accomplishments.

What would you say to a current student thinking about applying for the YCL Scholarship?

The hour or less that it takes to print out the application and ask your pastor, guidance counselor, or teacher to help fill out a recommendation is well worth the time! It would be nice if good things in life just came to me from doing nothing, but that is not how it works. There are many God-ordained opportunities around us each day that we have the chance to grab ahold of.  When we sow into God’s kingdom and into the areas in our lives that He has given to us to be faithful in, such as school, work, church, athletics, music, business, and so much more, I believe God wants to bless us and give us good things.

Any final words for aspiring high school and college students?

God has great plans for your life! I believe that Jesus wants us to live our lives to fullest because He says in John 10:10 that “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” True life is found when we put our full trust and faith in what He did for us on the Cross. I can live each day with purpose because of what Christ has done for me! Each day is journey with God. Be open to listen to what God would speak to you for your life calling. It probably won’t come to you immediately. As you follow Him, he will open up doors for you that you cannot imagine. He needs people in every arena of society living out the unique calling upon their life.  Live your life for God’s glory in whatever you do because our whole lives belong to Jesus!

Why Should College Students Study Abroad?

Ever wanted to visit another country?  Of course you have.  Ever wanted to get away from home to experience new things? That one’s probably a no-brainer too. Well with study abroad programs, you can do both of those things while simultaneously gaining college credit. 

Study abroad programs are offered in almost every part of the world and most last for approximately one semester. During this time, you will have the opportunity to grow acquainted with the culture of a nation very different than that of the United States.  Not only that, your resume will get a big-time boost from your academic experience in diverse environments. 

Many universities worldwide participate in such programs and are set up to provide extensive accommodation for study abroad students. The University of Virginia even hosts a Semester at Sea program, where you spend a few months on board a cruise ship visiting various locales in Europe, South America, or Africa! 

Talk to your academic advisor about these travel opportunities to maximize your college experience.

Preventing Theft on Campus

College students already have enough to worry about between classes, work, and finances. But in this age of technology, there is one more worry to add to the list: theft. The personal gadgets we own are becoming more and more expensive, which increases the potential for theft. Also, with the use of social media on the rise, it is easier than ever for identity thieves to steal your information. In this post, we’ll list some ways to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of theft at college.

Leave valuables at home – Keep the most expensive things you own at home, especially those that have sentimental value. A good rule of thumb is that if it can’t be replaced, then it probably shouldn’t be at school. Other items, such as social security cards and passports, may not have monetary value but are incredibly important. Unless you absolutely need these for a specific purpose, keep them at home.

Keep an eye on your stuff – It’s very easy to lose track of your belongings, especially if you feel comfortable in your dorm or library’s common area. No matter how familiar you are with the people you’re around or the place you’re in, it’s very easy for an opportunistic thief to nab your stuff. Take your personal items with you everywhere you go, even if you’re only leaving for a short while.

Protect your financial information – Phone bills, credit card statements, and other documents that contain sensitive information should be kept in a secure location within your room. Shred any and all paper items that you no longer need. Better yet, switch to electronic billing to make it harder for thieves to gain access to your information.

Keep track of bank statements – College students are often prime targets for identity theft because of their relatively clean credit history. In addition, it takes college students longer on average to recognize and report identity theft. During this time, identity thieves can rack up more charges that you may end up being responsible for. It pays to consistently check your financial statements to ensure your accounts are not being charged for fraudulent purchases.

Limit personal information online – Social media websites can potentially give someone access to a wealth of your personal information. With just a name, address, and date of birth, a thief may be able to gain access to your financial accounts or apply for credit cards in your name. Also, by posting that you are going away for the weekend, you are advertising to hundreds of people that your belongings will be unprotected during that time. Keep personal information to a minimum online, and ensure all your online accounts are protected with a strong password.

Be careful when surfing the Web – Thieves love “phishing” (the practice of sending unsolicited emails that look like they originated from reputable sources but are really phony) in the hopes that you will provide them with personal information. But apart from online thieves, beware of potential snoopers who may peer over your shoulder to observe the information you enter into a computer. And always remember to log off when using a public school computer.

Theft is a substantial threat on college campuses, but by following these tips you can ensure that you are doing all you can to prevent becoming a victim.