Miguel De Dios - Leadership Iowa University

Miguel De Dios

Iowa State University

I am currently a junior at Iowa State University. I intend on majoring in Management Information Systems (MIS) in the College of Business. More about me, I was born in Fairfield, California and at a young age moved to Perry, Iowa. As of now, I reside in Ames, Iowa where I am a full time student. I am also employed by the Department of Residence, though Iowa State University. My free time involves attending live music concerts and bailes (dances), watching all kinds of movies and my favorite TV shows, and staying active by playing sports, such as soccer and basketball and working out at the gym. A new interest of mine has become playing the guitar. Learning from a guide and a couple of friends I’ll admit I am no professional, but I have the greatest love for music, so any two or three notes that flow in sequence makes me happy to continue. Another interest that I discovered is traveling. At a young age I dreaded traveling mainly due to being so accustomed to my life here in the United States, but once I had the chance to really explore Mexico, like I did this recent year, I found myself wanting to build on this new experience in different parts of the world. The world has so much to offer that I want to look back into my life and see that I took the chance to explore it and take as much of it in. I recently discovered what my dream job would be thanks to one of my MIS professors. Google has totally won me over on all aspects. How the company functions and operates, as well as, their incredible facilities and benefits I feel I would never want to leave for any other job or career. On a final note, one thing that describes me is I am very optimistic so I love life to the fullest along with God, family, and friends.

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A Future in Iowa

Posted on Aug 15, 2011 at 9:51 AM

Leadership Iowa University was a fresh experience. I remember applying and nearly collapsing when I saw that it would stretch over five days. If it weren’t for my oldest sister I would have gone in with a closed mind-set because I felt uneasy from the start. Fortunately, I have one of the best sisters one could ask for so it wasn’t difficult to assure me that I would not regret it. I took her word and after five days my eyes opened to a new world and a new perspective.

Thanks to this new experience I was able to rediscover Iowa because I had seen it so differently before. The countless opportunities that were all within grasp become apparent. I failed to give Iowa a chance anywhere in my future and here I wanted to embrace it. I was able to experience networking, developing crucial skills for the future. For once, I felt that I really discovered my true strengths and my weaknesses. In the past, I had always struggled with public speaking, but on this adventure I tackled that fear and saw myself mature in unbelievable ways. One of the biggest highlights for me was when I was given the chance to introduce Dr. Jim Verlengia, an amazing person with a gripping story, to an entire audience. The feeling after I introduced him made me feel so proud because it was truly an honor I believe. Here, I was given an opportunity to face my dread for public speaking and l seized it. Through this experience I have met some of the most inspiring and interesting people in my life thus far. People that I would like to emulate someday. I’ve made many new friends that have impacted my life, urging me to strive forward.   All in all, I believe I made the most of this experience.
 
Leadership Iowa University took me on a journey, one that I will never forget. It led me to newfound confidence that I needed to overcome obstacles and continue growing as an individual, but above all, Leadership Iowa University gave me the belief that I can make a difference in this world.

 

College of Agriculture and Innovation

Posted on Aug 12, 2011 at 9:37 AM

As of right now, the future is one big mystery, waiting to be written. I cannot tell you if agriculture will play a role in my life someday, but the chances could work in my favor. I was born in California and predominantly raised in Iowa, so I’ve been around agriculture in one way or another all my life without even realizing it. Today, my scope on agriculture expanded.

I learned that there is much more to agriculture than a farm in the middle of a plain where the closest neighbor is a few miles away. It goes beyond the farm and into the cultivation of the soil itself and the livestock that produces food and other products to nourish life. Reflecting on this, I never really took the time to consider that many of the meals I consume in a day are actually by-products of agriculture, knowing this now I’ve developed a real appreciation for food and honestly agriculture as a whole. Initially when I think of agriculture, I never imagined it as possible field of study, but as you can see it affects everyone in one way or another. Being situated in Iowa for so long I wouldn’t be surprised if a new opportunity in this field arises even though I plan on focusing on strictly business, primarily management information systems. 
 
On a final note, I would just like to confess how appreciative I am for real life companies like Iowa Soybean Association and Embria to share their insight and educate young adults like my peers and I, for we truly are the leaders of tomorrow.

 

Land of Opportunity

Posted on Aug 9, 2011 at 5:37 PM

Well it’s evident that there are countless opportunities, especially here in Iowa. Few opportunities are known and many go unnoticed by young college students due to different reasons. In many cases, the lack of preparedness or knowing where to begin retracts many students from pursuing what is out there. 

I vividly remember back in high school if we sought guidance the most important figure to speak within our facility was our high school counselors, for they provided dependable advice and ultimately knew where opportunities lingered. Few times motivational speakers would come to our school and speak on behalf of education and getting the most out of life, but a motivational speech only comes with so much glue especially on youth minds. Transitioning from high school into college left me in a similar confused and disconnected state. Now, fast-forwarding a few years into college, I became better informed on the amount of opportunity that can be found through a university. Thanks to advisors, upper classmates, and lastly, the business foundation classes at Iowa State University the trail to the land of opportunity was in plain sight, clarifying much of the haze that clouded my direction after high school.
 
All in all, being unprepared and not knowing where to look really hindered my chance to discover the numerous opportunities that are everywhere and one day could potentially change my life by leading me to a successful future. More of this guidance is needed in the real world and more contribution to raising awareness will help the future leaders of Iowa.

 

"UnEARTHing Iowa"

Posted on Aug 9, 2011 at 5:37 PM

If I were to implement something I learned today into a community or county that I was a part of here in Iowa I would definitely stress networking. It’s a term I keep coming across and I’m finally able to see it applied into real life situations, which is something I previously had not seen all to a great level. For example, today we visited Tassel Ridge Winery in nearby Leighton, Iowa and our task was very straightforward. We were expected to observe the people and groups visiting the winery today as they were ‘networking’ which was the easy part. The hard part, which was phase two, required us to network first hand by simply letting go and approaching people and getting to know them. Personally, public speaking in many settings, especially business, is tough for me because I have so much to say, but I can’t find the words when the spotlight is on me. Luckily, my strong will and goals in life keep me motivated to continue to improve.

In conclusion, networking is key for a business to be successful. Through networking a business can better manage their clients and themselves. They can develop their business through organizations and groups that they encounter while networking by informing these new faces about themselves and their businesses in attempt to help each other prosper. The sharing and sparking of new ideas, new interests, or essential advice are all possible benefits of networking. Another one I heard about today was a strength to match a weakness. This had to be the most important piece of information I came across because we all have weaknesses, like I mentioned earlier, and when there is an opportunity out there to discover the missing link; success is surely achievable.

 

College of Human Resources - YOU!

Posted on Aug 9, 2011 at 5:35 PM

Through recently discovering my strengths, I would say that my command, or driving force to motivate others mixed with Spanish, my second language, can connect me through more people to ultimately unify and perform for a purpose. Being Mexican-American, I feel the Latino population, which accounts for the biggest minority group in the U.S, has a firm foot in the future of Iowa. It may not be as big as other heavily Latino populated states such as California or Texas, but it’s still very important to recognize and target this group. The best way to target this minority group is through communication. Once communication is established, windows begin to open.

 

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