Biosketch
Name?
Jessica Tran
College?
Manning School of Business
Major?
Business admin (entrepreneurship & marketing)
Hometown?
Quincy, MA
Favorite hobbies?
Volleyball, fitness, thrifting, reading, trying new things (food or activities) & scratching them off my bucket list
What is your favorite thing about UML?
My favorite thing about UML is honestly the RHSA. I struggled with finding a community in high school and childhood because I was always switching schools every two years. The RHSA is that safe space for me where I feel supported and heard.
What are your future goals?
My future goals are to graduate from college, do content creation full-time, travel the world, start my own business, become a millionaire in my 20s, and give back to my community.
What has being involved with the RHSA meant to you?
Being involved with the RHSA has been such an incredible experience for my leadership, career, and personal development. It fulfills me to be able to support younger students who may be unknowledgeable about college life and guide them through their early years at not just a new institute, but a new experience.
Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself in your first year of college?
Looking back, I would have told myself to network as much as possible to open doors to new opportunities. My freshman year was during COVID, so I couldn’t do much in quarantine besides attend virtual classes and stay inside. I do wish that I spent my time more wisely building a business or a social media presence so I could get ahead of the game. COVID was the perfect opportunity for that.
What advice would you give fellow students?
I would tell fellow students to not correlate my self-worth with my grades. Grades do not define you, so give it your best. If you fail, get up and try again. Failing is a part of success. Additionally, I would tell them to be cautious of who they let into their energy, who they spend their time and associate with, and to take self-care seriously. Students tend to bite off more than they can chew. They try to balance 5+ things at once, whether it’s school, a job, work-study, clubs, sports, extracurricular programs, etc. Sure, they’re a “Jack of all trades, but master of none.” I respect students who do a lot of things, but some don’t realize how strenuous it can be on the mind and body. Only take on what you can handle. You’ll thank yourself later.
Why did you choose to attend UMass Lowell?
I chose UMass Lowell because they had an extremely generous financial aid package compared to other schools. I also knew they had a strong business school.
What does it mean to you to be a first-generation college student?
To me, being a first-generation college student means being a trailblazer in my family. It means breaking out of old family patterns, choosing my own path, and having the opportunity to be successful at anything I set my mind to.
What inspires you to want to help first-generation students in the RHSA?
The main thing that inspires me to help first-gen students is knowing that I can make an impact. Over the past two years of being a peer leader, I have seen what my support has done for my students, and the smiles on their faces when they see me fills my heart with joy. Growing up I’ve always wanted a mentor that could understand my struggles and be my friend while I ride through the toughest four years of my life. The RHSA is positively impacting and helping so many students like me. I can’t wait to see this program expand and touch more people.