One voice in that crowd, Megan Rybar, a junior in the College of Health Sciences, says she is actively involved in intramural sports because “it’s a great opportunity to play sports that I love and try new ones, both competitively and for fun with friends.”

If you’re not involved in intramurals, you’re not doing it right.  Consider this your inspiration to quit revamping your new Facebook Timeline, turn off “The Voice” and stop lounging around. These are a few simple reminders as to why you should love intramural sports:

1) There are no prima donnas. No million dollar contracts. No cameras, no video. No massive egos. No complaints to be traded. No scams. No glorifications. And certainly no lockouts. Just passion and dedication. Sports in its purest stage. Welcome to the land of recreational sports.

2) There’s a league built just for you. Even if you’re not the prototypical athletic type, almost all the sports have leagues respective of talent levels, ranging from hardcore to playfully jolly (otherwise known as A to C). Plus, you’ve got to consider the benefits intramurals offer; they’re great to stay active, get your mind off school and catch up with friends.

3) Your options are endless. How many intramural sports does Marquette offer? Fifteen: basketball, football, indoor and outdoor soccer, dodgeball, inner tube water polo, sand volleyball, hockey, badminton, kickball, softball, ultimate frisbee, bag toss, weight lifting competitions, racquetball and tennis. Basketball is reportedly the most popular intramural sports league, though, soccer is a close second. Students can get their D-Wade hoops on with men’s, women’s and co-ed basketball leagues across the week and throughout the year. The season is offered in both the fall and spring semesters.

4) Intramural sports are historical. The University of Michigan, Ohio State University and the University of Michigan created the first intramural sports departments in 1913. Technically, U of M was the first to open its doors and Elmer Mitchell was named the first director of intramural sports. Fittingly, he was later dubbed the “father of intramural sports.” And a fun-fact: the Latin term, intra muros, means “within walls.” Psh, baseball… Sure looks like intramural athletics may be America’s real pastime.

5) Intramurals justify the absurd stuff you do.  Tell me why you bought those $110 Derrick Rose basketball shoes, coughed up $200 for a pair of Dr. Dre Beats headphones and spend endless amounts of cash on Under Armour apparel from the team shop?  Oh, that’s right.  It’s all part of the package.  It’s about getting into the game — of intramural sports.  When you’re running on the treadmill for miles at a time, jumping rope continuously and lifting weights for hours, people will know why… And if they don’t, you have every right to tell ‘em: “I’m training for my intramural league.”  Intramurals justify it all.

And since the NBA seems to have retired that slogan, let’s just say the final reason to get involved is because…

Intramural sports: “Where Amazing Happens.”

McCabe: McCabe Hall, located on the corner of 17th Street and Wisconsin Avenue, is a coed dorm housing over 200 sophomores with suites featuring private bathrooms and kitchenettes. Eric Eichelberger, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, finds McCabe to be the ideal living situation for him. “Having your own bathroom is convenient,” Eichelberger said. “Also, I live in a triple and having two roommates is a lot of fun.” As the newest dorm on campus, McCabe has both double and triple rooms. The building’s location, however, may be more convenient for some more than others. “(The location) is a little out of the way but not too bad,” Eichelberger said. “It is good if you are an engineering major because the engineering building is directly across the street.” Overall, Eichelberger believes living in McCabe can fit anyone’s personality or lifestyle. “Anyone can live here and have a good time.”  

Mashuda: Located on campus’ far west side is Mashuda Hall, which is coed and open to freshmen and sophomores. While many students only know Mashuda for its dining hall, residents, like Jamie Rehm, freshman in the College of Business Administration, know the actual ins and outs of Marquette’s only dorm past 19th Street. “(The location) is kind of far but I personally don’t think it’s a problem,” Rehm said. “Most people learn that it’s really not that big of a deal.” Rehm points out that there are pros and cons to living in Mashuda. “We can control our own heat and air and we have our own bathrooms,” Rehm said. “But I wish it could be more (social). It’s pretty quiet compared to McCormick or Schroeder.” That noise level, or lack thereof, does come in handy however when residents want to buckle down and study. “During final exams they open up ballrooms on the second floor so people can study there,” Rehm said. “It’s nice because the libraries are always full that week but there is always room in the ballrooms.” Mashuda offers singles, doubles, triples and quads.

Carpenter: The 16-floor Carpenter Tower is available to both freshmen and sophomores, men and women — and it even features specialty engineering floors. Despite its many options, Carpenter’s residents can still find some cons within the numerous stories. “It’s not social at all,” said Matthew Bernard, sophomore in the College of Health Sciences. “It’s definitely hard to meet people,” Taylor Boyle, fellow sophomore in the College of Health Sciences, said in agreement. “People mostly leave their doors closed.” The dorm is located in the eastern part of campus, on 11th Street, removed from some of the classrooms. Despite not being centrally located, Boyle said she is happy with the location. “I like being on that side of campus opposed to the Mashuda side,” Boyle said. “It’s only about a five minute walk to some classes. Both Boyle and Bernard agreed that having private bathrooms was one of the biggest pros to living in Carpenter Tower.

Straz: The closest dorm to downtown is Straz Tower. Straz is not only home to one of the healthiest dining halls on campus, but also to the Rec Plex work out facility which features health and fitness rooms, basketball courts and a swimming pool. Straz also houses specialty honors program floors as well as Dorothy Day social justice living community. Trevor Gundlach, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences and resident of the Dorothy Day community, said he embraces everything Straz has to offer. “I like the convenience to the Rex Plex and the healthiest — and probably best — food,” Gundlach said. “Also, the view is beautiful.” The location of Straz may be something to shy people away from the far east dorm, but for Gundlach, it opens up opportunity that other dorms may not offer. “I enjoy living more toward the city and having more accessibility to Milwaukee,” Gundlach said. “Living here you can be more connected to Milwaukee than Marquette.” Straz is coed, air conditioned and offers doubles and quads.

Schroeder: Masuda is far to the west and Straz sits at the eastern most edge of campus, but smack in the middle is Schroeder Hall. Schroeder is home to over 600 students, with an Italian-themed dining hall and according to many, a very social atmosphere. “It’s a lot more social (than the other dorms),”  said Leah Steinbruecker, a sophomore in the College of Communication. “During the weekends it’s probably not the best place to study.” The social atmosphere of Schroeder may not be conducive for every student though — especially those who would want to get some studying done. “I don’t go out every weekend,” said Kayte Tuleta, sophomore in the College of Business Administration. “ I feel like everyone has their doors closed and only talks to their friends.” Even if the social atmosphere is perceived differently by different kinds of students, the love of the prime location is shared by most. “I consider it the best location on campus,” Tuleta said. “It only takes me about five minutes to walk to each of my classes.” Schroeder has nine floors, is coed and offers both doubles and triples.

I’ve been dreaming of photographing NYFW since the day I picked up a camera– and even more so, since the last fashion show I photographed in Chicago — Macy’s Glamorama at the Chicago Theater. There is truly something beautiful about capturing a stunning Marc Jacobs outfit on the runway that gives me the chills. It’s a complete thrill.

Finally, last week I had the chance to experience my first NYFW.

I booked my ticket five days before the show started and read as much about who’s who in the fashion world as I possibly could. I packed up my camera, a back-up camera, my computer and enough clothes and accessories to move to NYC if I really decided to stay. Everything happened so quickly, and before I knew it, I was on a train to Grand Central Station … on my way to one of the most exhilarating weeks of my life.

Having been in contact with Refinery29.com, an established online fashion magazine/blog, I was offered the opportunity to photograph street fashion and a few shows for their site. My assignments ranged from shoe stalking to photographing stylish bags to checking in as press and documenting behind the scenes of fashion shows. For street style, the challenge was always trying to get the person’s name and to  list each item he or she was wearing, and the designer label. Everyone is truly in a scurry in NYC and most people are running to their next destination with no time to stop and talk. Not to mention spelling out the foreign names and crazy designer labels. I found myself constantly hunting down interesting looks and trend spotting.

One of my favorite repeating trends during NYFW were the fur vests and coats. It’s not a popular look in Milwaukee, but I wouldn’t oppose at all if people started bundling up in the winter with these stylish, furry (and faux fur) pieces. It was freezing cold for a few NYFW days, so the look was functional and fashionable. I call that a win- win! Below are a few of the photos I captured showing the fierce fur look.

I was assigned to photograph backstage in the Erin by Erin Fetherston show. I also went backstage at the Chris Benz show. It was unbelievable to see how the magic comes together piece by piece. Dodging hundreds of stylists, models, designers, artists and studio managers felt almost like a circus show. Upbeat music is keeping the adrenaline of the teams going. People are shouting left and right.

VIPs are generallying lounging and drinking champagne next to the gourmet snack table. The tech geeks are double checking computers, cameras, lights, equipment so thoroughly and quickly, it’s as though they were preparing to take off into space. Every model is getting tossed to and fro from this chair to the next, and the stylists are dressing them from head to toe. I’m not quite sure where the label designers were during the backstage time, because I only saw them at the end of their shows for finale pictures with the models. Watching the creative team — the infamous European TIGI haircare gurus— backstage is like seeing a vision come to life before your eyes.

Every artist is composing their part to contribute to the grand masterpiece.  I’m buzzing around as quickly as I can with two cameras around my neck, a backpack, and my fully packed camera bag on my side making sure I don’t trip over anyone while maneuvering to get the best shots. Yes. That was a challenge.

And yes. You MUST look good while you are working. It’s fashion week. No excuses.

The trip opened my eyes to a whole new level of thinking on my feet and certainly inspired me to dress even more creatively. I bumped into some of America’s fashion leaders in the industry, from the online fashion editor of the New York Times to the senior editor at Cosmopolitan Magazine. I learned tricks, tips, and  life lessons from fashion photographers that came across the globe. I can’t wait to shoot another show and work my way up to Vera Wang on the runway and fly to a show in Europe some day, but first I need to go through the 7,000+ photos I have on my computer!

Style on.

Eye makeup notes for the makeup artists.

TIGI Haircare Creative Team.

Erin Fetherston at her show.

Model for Erin Fetherston.

TIGI Haircare backstage Chris Benz at the Lincoln Center NYC.

My favorite model from the Chris Benz show.

Chris Benz showcasing his next line at the Lincoln Center.

Below are a photographs from various shows I attended at Milk Studios in NYC during Fashion Week.

All Photographs © Crystal Schreiner 2012

Instead of driving straight to your chosen destination, try exploring some great stops on the way.

Milwaukee to Denver 

Estimated distance: 1,260 miles

Estimated time: 22 hrs., 12 min.

Illustrations by Dylan Huebner

1. Field of Dreams  (28995 Lansing Road, Dyersville, Iowa  52040)

If you build it, they will come… and they have for over 20 years. Check out the field built for the 1988 film, “Field of Dreams.” You can see this ghost-inhabited baseball diamond free of charge.

Time: 3 hrs., 34 min.

2. Ax Murder House (323 4th Street, Villisca, Iowa, 50864)

100 years ago, an unidentified man snuck into Josiah Moore’s house and murdered his family. Now infamous for the murders, the Moore house holds haunted tours. For about $67 per person for a group of six, guests can even spend the night.

Time: 5 hrs., 10 min.

3. World’s Largest Time Capsule (318 Hillcrest Drive, Seward, Nebraska 68434)

Harold Keith Davisson, local celebrity, wanted his grandchildren to understand what life was like back in 1975. So, he filled his 45-ton vault with items ranging from bikini bottoms to a Chevy Vega. The vault opens in 2025.

Time: 2 hrs., 30 min. 

4. Oz Museum (4801 E. Harmony Rd., Fort Collins, Colorado 80525)

Somewhere over the rainbow, you can live the magic of the classic children’s book and movie: “The Wizard of Oz.” The Museum is stuffed with over 2,000 collectibles dating back over 100 years. Admission costs $7.

Time: 2 hrs., 53 min.

Embrace the Rocky Mountain air and enjoy all that Denver has to offer. If you have the taste for a little adventure, try one of Denver’s whitewater rafting at locations like the Arkansas River or Clear Creek River. Catch the tail end of skiing season and check out Echo Mountain Ski Resort, located 40 minutes outside Denver in Idaho Springs.  Take a trip to one of the surrounding small mountain towns and tool around in the distinctive shopping districts. Lodging: A mile away from downtown Denver, try staying at the Hotel VQ.

Time: 8 hrs., 5 min.

Five Games to Play in the Car

1. The License Plate Game

Scan the highway for any out-of-state license plate. Each time you spot a new license plate, you are allowed to give the person next to you a friendly tap on the arm.  

2.  The Alphabet Game

Starting with the letter “A,” each player must find an object outside the car that starts with that letter. The first person to make it through the alphabet wins.

3. Howdy Doody Name Game

Whoever starts the game says the first and last name of a famous person that everyone in the car knows. The next person must come up with a name that starts with the last letter of the previously mentioned person’s last name. The game ends when someone cannot come up with a name.

4. Twenty Questions

One person thinks of an object, person or place. Each of the other players in the game get 20 questions to ask in order to figure out what the mystery object is.

5. Counting Cows

The object of this game is to count more cows on the side of the road than your opponents. Different variations can be added to this game: like time limits, passing a certain car could cause you to lose all your points, etc.

……..

Milwaukee to Dallas

Estimated distance: 1,070 miles

Estimated time: 21 hrs., 12 min.

1. Lincoln Museum (212 N. Sixth Street, Springfield, Ill. 62701)

Just because it’s spring break doesn’t mean that there isn’t time to learn. Squeeze in a history lesson about Honest Abe in the Lincoln Museum. After the long drive here, you’ll want to refuel at the local Maid-Rite diner with some of its famous sloppy joes.

Time: 5 hrs.

2. Home of the Albino Squirrels (01 E. Chestnut St., Olney, IL, 62450)

Catch a glimpse of these little red-eyed critters in the southern Illinois town. The town acts as a safe haven for the squirrels. Can’t get enough squirrels? Try staying the night in Olney’s Squirrel Cage Bed and Breakfast.

Time: 3 hrs.

3. Graceland (3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tenn. 38109)

Pay your respects to the “King” and visit the mansion where he resided. Enjoy a self-guided audio tour with commentary by Elvis and his daughter Lisa Marie, with stops including the famous Jungle Room.

Time: 5 hrs., 40 min.

4. The Peabody Hotel (3 Statehouse Plaza, Little Rock, Ark. 72201)

You don’t have to be a guest to attend the hotel’s Duck March, an almost 70-year-old tradition. Twice a day a red carpet is rolled out in the hotel’s lobby and The Peabody Little Rock ducks waddle their way past guests and visitors.

Time: 2 hrs., 24 min.

Welcome to Dallas, Texas (1933 Main St, Dallas, Texas, 75201)

Welcome to the “Big D,” where there is something for everyone to enjoy. Spend a day shopping in the West End Historic District or check out a band at the trendy Deep Ellum district. If you’re looking for something a little faster paced, check out a Dallas Cowboys football game or a rodeo. But, whatever you do, make sure to try some famous Texas barbecue from Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse before you leave. For a nice stay, try the Hotel Indigo located in downtown Dallas.

Time: 5 hrs., 8 min.

………

5 Ways to Save Money on a Road Trip

1. Fill up your tank at a truck stop – they are usually cheaper than regular gas stations.
2. Avoid the drive-thru and pack some food in a cooler.
3. Try staying at  modestly priced hotels. There is no need for style when you are on the road.
4. Find an app on your phone that shows traffic. If you are able to avoid traffic, it will minimize frequent stopping and going.
5. Use gasbuddy.com to find the cheapest gas stations in the area.

Milwaukee to Toronto

Estimated distance: 611 miles

Estimated time: 11 hrs., 41 min.

1. Hot Doug’s (3324 North California Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 60618)

Stop for a lunch break at this famous hot dog joint. You can even download the restaurant’s theme song from iTunes before you stop by.

Time: 1 hr., 39 min.

2. The Indiana Dunes State Park (1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, Ind. 46304)

It may be too cold to swim in March, but you can still climb one of the park’s sand dunes. Check out the hiking trails, as well.

Time: 1 hr., 6 min.

3. American Museum of Magic (107 E. Michigan Avenue, Marshall, Mich. 49068)

Explore the museum’s half-million pieces of magic memorabilia. The collection includes unique props and magic related books. Lodging: Stay the night at the Holiday Inn Express (17252 Sam Hill Dr.)

Time: 2 hrs., 6 min.

4. Scream’s Ice Cream (4045 Patterson Lake Road, Hell, Mich. 48169)

This ice cream parlor, featured on “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America” and the Travel Channel, has been considered one of the top three ice cream parlors in the country. Along with ice cream, it features year-round Halloween shopping.

Time: 1 hr., 15 min. 

Welcome to Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Canada’s most populated city is always bustling with activity. Be sure to check out one of its most popular attractions — Niagara Falls. Or, climb up the CN tower for a breathtaking view of the city. Visit the Royal Ontario Museum, with the Stair of Wonders — a staircase that features more than 1,000 artifacts along its edges. Sports fans, take a gander at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Lodging:  stay at the Clarion Hotel & Suites Selby (592 Sherbourne St.)

Time: 5 hrs., 35 min.

5 Songs For Your Playlist (Milwaukee to Toronto)

1. “This City” by Patrick Stump

Listen to the former Fall Out Boy front man sing about his hometown Chicago while you pass through.

2. “Beat It” by Michael Jackson

Be sure to play this hit from Jackson’s “Thriller” album while passing through his hometown of Gary on the way to Porter.

3. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem

Eminem made it big in Detroit, so his mega-hit is only appropriate to play while driving through Michigan.

4. “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC

No explanation needed.

5. “I’m Gonna Getcha Good!” by Shania Twain

When crossing over the Canadian border, crank up this hit by this Canadian country crooner.

Courtesy of Joy Kuchler

Bob, 72, majored in business and Joy, 72, majored in history and elementary education. Both are retired.

***

 Mark & Deann Kuchler

Class of ‘87

Photo by Alex Alvarez

Mark, 46, majored in accounting and is a law partner at Ronaldson & Kuchler, L.L.C. Deann, 46, majored in education and is a reading specialist in the La Grange public school system.

Lost in the hubbub of block parties, beer and bars, Mark and Deann — two freshmen who never expected to meet their future spouse at Marquette University — found love. But in the mid 1980s, formal dates were a rarity. According to Deann, the dating scene involved groups of friends hitting up local pubs — most likely the Avalanche,”The ‘Lanche,” on 15th and Wells St. There, Mark (whose parents also found love at Marquette) and Deann reconnected their junior year, after meeting through Mark’s friend — one Deann used to date. “The joke is that I dated three of Mark’s friends before dating him,” Deann said. Mark asked Deann’s parents for her hand in marriage after she followed him to Chicago, where he attended law school at Loyola University. The Kuchlers were married in 1993. They now have four children and live in La Grange, Ill.

***

Bernie & Kathleen Hudec

Class of ‘82

Courtesy of Hudec Family

Bernie, 52, majored in marketing and currently works as a regional sales manager at Osram Opto Semiconductors. Kathleen, 51, majored in finance and works for Bank of America leasing in the global vendor division. Both work in Chicago.

In Marquette tradition, Kathleen Toomey and Bernie Hudec went to Real Chili with friends, The Mug Rack in the Union (a popular pub and sandwich joint), Friday afternoon mass at St. Joan of Arc Chapel, and Angelo’s Pizza, where they had their first date over a slice of pie. Bernie asked Kathleen out their sophomore year, after an accounting final. In fact, Bernie included Betsy Darr, their accounting professor, in the toast of their wedding. “If not for her, we wouldn’t have met,” Kathleen said.  Kathleen and Bernie currently live in Mount Prospect, Ill., where they raise two daughters with the same dating values they saw in each other: respect, goodness to others and religion. The two still visit Real Chili and Joan of Arc Chapel. Kathleen and Bernie celebrated their 27th anniversary on Oct. 6 , 2011.

***

Ted Strupp & Marybeth Jacobson

Class of ‘80, ‘81

Photo by Rebecca Rebholz

Ted, 53, majored in journalism. He works at Northwestern Mutual in Wisconsin in the corporate communication department. Marybeth, 52, majored in German and journalism. She freelances for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

***

ONLINE EXTRAS

Dave and Donna Rae Foran

Dave, 74, class of 1959, majored in journalism and is currently retired. Donna Rae, 71, class of 1961, is a lecturer for the Marquette University and Mount Mary College English department.

Donna Rae Skovira didn’t know Dave Foran personally, but she always knew of him. She heard him singing Frank Sinatra in Copus Hall, Marquette University’s College of Journalism building, and even read about him on a public telephone, marked: “This phone belongs to King Dave Foran.” At the end of her freshman year, the junior, Foran, asked Skovira to a party. “He was very much fun, he talked to everybody and made them feel comfortable,” Skovira said.  By the middle of her sophomore year, and the end of Foran’s senior year, they were a couple. Four months later, Foran “pinned” Skovira (a visible symbol of the two’s relationship) with a Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi pin.  “I was so discouraged,” Skovira said. “What, for the next two weeks?” she asked. “No,” Foran replied.  “For the next 60 years.” The two married in her hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. Donna Rae and Dave have five children, live in Glendale, Wis., and celebrated their 51st anniversary on June 11.

Bill and Bernie Janz

Bill, 74, class of 1959, majored in journalism. He is currently retired. Bernie, 75, class of 1960, majored in journalism and minored in English, Latin and psychology. She is also retired.

Bill and Bernie Janz’s first meeting in 1958 can be told in two ways. The “sexy” version: Bernie rubbing her foot against Bill’s leg at a student Thanksgiving dinner. And the “clean” version: Bill asking for Bernie’s phone number during senior year class registration. No matter what story they tell, Bernie and Bill share one love story that is still being told 52 years later. Bill wrote about it in his memoir, which begins and ends with Bernie, he said. The former columnist for the Journal Sentinel fell in love with the 5-foot-3 Bernadette many times: when she was perpetually late to class, when she fell during a snow storm and made a snow angel, when she bought him a gold watch that is in every picture he has ever taken. What did Bernie love about Bill? His honesty, and his height — he can change a light bulb without a ladder, she said with a laugh. Bernie and Bill live in Fredonia, Wis. They have two children and two Australian shepherds.

Mogadishu, Somalia | June 2006

That afternoon was like any other. 16-year-old Abdulkarim Jimale and his friends met at the abandoned Mogadishu International Airport for their usual pick-up game of soccer. The cement expanse was smooth and barren. As a forward for Team Baangariyo, it was Jimale’s job to get the ball into the goal, a space designated by two large stones. They played for three hours, the ball skidding over faded white paint lines, past large heaps of what used to be terminals.

The boys had 15 minutes to spare to get from the airport to the local mosque for evening prayer. Traveling on foot, they were making good time. That is, until a group of seven or eight Al-Shabaab militants, the oldest maybe 12 or 13 years old, stopped them at a roadblock. AK-47s loaded and ready, the militants asked the boys where they were going. To the mosque, said Jimale. But the militants didn’t like that answer. Just for the hell of it, they gave the boys two options: get down on the road and pray or… get a bullet in their heads.

With Russian revolvers aimed, Jimale and his friends said their evening prayer at the roadblock and continued home. They escaped death that day, but that didn’t mean much in Mogadishu, where death was not a question of if.

***

Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia, a neighbor of Ethiopia and Kenya in the Horn of Africa. Located on the edge of the Indian Ocean, Mogadishu has long stretches of beaches curled along vivid blue water. It’s a paradise. Or at least, it used to be. Jimale says there were once so many tourists that Mogadishu was called “Little Europe.” But now, “it’s a vacation in doomsday,” he says.

In 1991, after the ousting of president Siad Barre, Somalia’s government collapsed and the Somali Civil War ensued. Militias engaged in a perpetual fight for power, a fight dominated by the militant Islamist organization, Islamic Courts Union. It resisted Somalia’s Transitional Federal Parliament, a new government attempting to restore order. The ICU eventually splintered into various extremist groups, including the radical, Islamist group, Al-Shabaab, in 2007.

“Al-Shabaab” means “the youth,” and it’s literal: fighters in the militant group are as young as eight years old. They dress in baggy olive green or brown tunics, capris that slouch at the shins, black closed-toe sandals, and a headscarf wrapped over the face, leaving only a small sliver open for the eyes. Just enough see the target. And a gun. Always a gun.

With numbers close to 15,000, they’ve waged reckless violence, and acquired increasing levels of power, leaving Mogadishu in utter anarchy.

The ongoing Civil War has only been part of Somalia’s many significant challenges over the last decade. Somali pirates have violently attacked foreign vessels and impeded international shipping. Drought, disease and famine have ravaged the small nation of about 10 million, killing hundreds of thousands since 1991. Last year, over a mere 90 days, 29,000 Somali children perished from hunger.

***

Jimale was born in Mogadishu in 1989, as his nation’s government teetered on the brink of collapse. He’s one of what other Somalis call the “unlucky people” — Somalis who have never seen a government, legislation or stability. They are the young adults raised in a chaotic abyss. Jimale has only seen one rule in Somalia — the rule of guns.

His divorced parents abandoned him when he was four months old. He was raised by his sister and her husband, both in their thirties. For a time, Jimale thought they were his parents. Jimale says it’s fairly common for youth to not have relations with their parents, some of whom died in Civil War fighting or are still missing.

During the week, Jimale went to Islamic school in the morning and a private academic school in the afternoon. After, he played with friends at the beach or the desolate airport grounds, the warm evening air punctuated by the distant rattling of militants’ pick-up trucks and ear-splitting eruptions from Kalashnikovs.

Sometimes the Al-Shabaab shot machine guns up into the air for the sheer thrill of the sound. Sometimes the gunman was ten years old, carelessly shooting at buildings, cars and people.

“They’re not killing for a reason,” Jimale says. “They kill for fun.”

A gun makes a certain sound when its bullet hits someone. A quick pop, a dense echo and a muffled thump. By the age of eight, Jimale could hear the difference between a pistol, machine gun and AK-47, between a gun fired into the air and a gun fired into a person.

Jimale witnessed murder and mayhem daily. It was as common as having coffee, he says. An every day thing. Young militants carried small grenades in their hands the way other kids their age carried cell phones. Disabled grenades became soccer balls, the Al-Shabaab kicking the small explosives along the ground with their feet.

Tired of hunger pains, Jimale’s friends, boys he grew up with, joined Al-Shabaab. “Yesterday he was your friend. Today he’s not your friend,” Jimale says.

In Al-Shabaab, you get food, a cell phone, money — $50 a month, plus $35 commission for successful murder missions. Once you’re in, there’s no getting out.

Jimale could have joined the gangs, too, but his teachers and sister told him to stay in school. They educated him about Al-Shabaab and the conflicts surrounding the Civil War. Jimale blames a lack of awareness for so many youth picking up a gun. “If you know what’s going on, you will not join (the militia),” he says.

At 16, Jimale began working at Al Arabiya, an Arabic television news channel he describes as second only to Al Jazeera. There, he helped fix computers, eventually moving on to videotaping press conferences and working with the cameras.

In August 2007, two Mogadishu journalists, friends of Jimale, were killed. He was at the restaurant with them when it happened. Jimale says that once Al-Shabaab started killing the media, it meant they were killing everyone. He decided to leave Mogadishu for central Somalia, where Al-Shabaab forces were less of a threat. Every week he moved between two provinces — Beledweyne and Guriel — staying at hotels paid for by Al Arabiya and taking photos for corresponding Al Arabiya news stories.

In March 2008, seven months into self-imposed exile, Jimale received a call from a former classmate and current Al-Shabaab militant. He told Jimale to get out of Somalia, or Al-Shabaab would kill him. It was his last chance.

March 25, 2008

photos by Andrea Bartley

Jimale, then 18, packed up his student ID, high school diploma, a thermos of water, crackers and $250 gifted from Al Arabiya. “If you take other things, they’re [the militia] going to think you’re leaving,” he says. And that would be bad.

Al Arabiya coworkers were the only people who knew he was leaving. They were the only ones he could trust. They’d connect him with help in cities and villages along his journey.

Jimale was headed more than 700 miles away to Nairobi, where he’d stay with former Somali classmates who had also fled Mogadishu.

Jimale took the battery out of his cell phone, so there’d be no signal. No way to trace his location.

He had heard about the journey to Nairobi, heard how rough and dangerous it was. About the scorching sun and oppressive heat. The wild animals. The coarse, sandy footpaths. The chance of running into militia. He had heard about a guy who was eaten by a lion.

To avoid the militia, Jimale took the back route, a southwest journey through the jungle. A direct trip would’ve taken 12 hours. Jimale’s trip took four days.

On the way, Jimale stopped at villages and cities for only an hour or less. Al Arabiya put him in contact with clan elders who fed him a meal of rice or meat, and got him a safe car ride out of town.

He walked up to eight hours at a time, with no map or clear directions. If he had to turn left or right, he always chose right. Kenya was to the right. The left led back to Al-Shabaab territory, back into the hands of those bullet-spitting machine monsters.

The jungle greenery was dense and the sun merciless. Jimale rationed his crackers into miniscule portions. His drinking water was warm, and he rationed that, too. When Jimale did rest, it was only for a few hours, among jungle noises and crawling insects under low-hanging branches.

He met no lions, although he says he would have preferred being eaten to being jailed, beaten and murdered by Al-Shabaab.

At the Kenyan border, he handed over the money from the television company to the border official. For the $250 entry fee, the official agreed to no questions asked about Jimale’s origin or destination. After taking a bus for the final stretch of his journey, Jimale finally arrived in Nairobi.

He could barely recognize himself. He was 112 pounds at the start of his journey, and 95 pounds at the end. His body was encrusted with dirt and sand; his clothes dusty and disheveled.

Nairobi, Kenya

submitted by Abdulkarim Jimale

Exhausted from his trip, Jimale felt an overwhelming sense of relief. He felt safe. Finally. “I can’t forget that day,” he says.

Jimale met his friends in the Nairobi suburb of Eastleigh, an area predominately inhabited by Somali immigrants. Kenya historically shelters Somali refugees. The two countries are like brothers, Jimale says.

Jimale shared a room in a three-bedroom apartment with four roommates. To support himself, he worked at clothing and textile shops. In June, he enrolled in a yearlong English language program at Kenya Institute of Professional Studies. In July 2009, Jimale began studies at the East Africa School of Media Studies where he planned to take classes for two years. His Somali friends helped pay his tuition with money from relatives in Europe.

As a class requirement, Jimale had to get media experience, so in early 2010, the 20-year-old began work for Free Speech Radio News, an American radio station based in Oregon. He sent them three or four radio clips a week with news from Somalia, Kenya and Uganda. Jimale eventually began freelancing for Before It’s News, a news website based in California, and Islam Online. Between those gigs and his textile jobs, he had enough money to pay for school.

For Islam Online, Jimale had to occasionally return home to Mogadishu to take photos of Somalis for the website’s human-interest stories. He returned in 2009 and 2010, staying for one or two weeks at a time, with a friend near the airport. He wasn’t scared, he says. He knew where he was going, how to get around and what parts of the city were safe. Though he missed Mogadishu, Jimale still wanted to finish his degree in Kenya.

In the spring of 2010, during the midst of his studies, Jimale received a call saying he had been selected by the U.S. Embassy to Somalia to be part of the U.S. International Visitor Leadership Program. The embassy had seen his work on Islam Online. Designed to build better relations and understanding between nations, the program brings emerging foreign leaders of all ages and backgrounds to the U.S. for one month of training in a given area of interest.

Jimale arrived in the U.S. on Oct. 23, 2010, with his passport and a visa good for a few months. His program group included 150 journalists of all ages from all over the world. After nine days of training in Washington D.C., the group traveled to the University of South Florida in Tampa for a week of conferences, then to Seattle the following week and New York City for the final week.

Jimale expected Americans to be hostile toward him because of his Muslim faith, but was pleasantly surprised when he was welcomed. A hotel worker in Washington D.C. gave Jimale information on local Muslim prayer times, and offered to bring him to the mosque whenever he wanted.

After the program, Jimale traveled across the country, visiting cities and meeting up with old friends who had relocated from Somalia. Many Somalis have moved to cities in the U.S. — Minneapolis has the largest population with around 32,000 Somalis. Jimale says all the Somalis in the U.S. help each other, providing food, shelter and financial support. Even if Jimale doesn’t know a Somali in a certain city, he likely knows someone who does. In turn, Jimale shelters Somalis who visit his new town of Milwaukee.

Now 22, Jimale continues to report for Before It’s News and Free Speech Radio News, sending in stories three or four times a week. After his visa expired, Jimale acquired his I-94, allowing him to stay in the country indefinitely.

While Jimale’s original plan was to return to Kenya to finish the two-year program at the East Africa School of Media Studies, a meeting in Michigan with a law professor at University of Detroit Mercy, changed his mind.

In that conversation, he first heard the words “Marquette” and “Milwaukee.” After reading Jimale’s writing clips, the professor encouraged Jimale to apply to Marquette’s Diederich College of Communication, saying it was well worth staying in the U.S. to get his degree here. In spring of 2011, Jimale was accepted to Marquette University’s Class of 2015.

***

Jimale arrived on Marquette’s campus in August 2011, having never before seen Milwaukee. A scholarship and financial aid cover his tuition. His paychecks from Before It’s News and Free Speech Radio News pay for housing and essentials. He reports on African refugees in the Midwest, interviewing them on the phone and telling their stories.

Marquette wasn’t an easy transition for Jimale. He had trouble with homework assignments and didn’t know how to use D2L. But with the help of professors and friends, Jimale has learned a lot, he says. Being able to understand the Christian community and interact with other cultures will make a difference in his journalism.

Half a world away from Somalia, Jimale’s writing and outcries against Al-Shabaab are heard back home. Militants in Mogadishu send Jimale death threats by email and cell phone. From Africa, they can hire American Somali gangs to do it. “You are infidel and left your religion, I swear on God who created my soul, you will die in bad situation, you will die as infidel, soon we will send our Mujaheddin brothers in America to kill you.”

To this Dec. 6, 2011 Facebook message from a former classmate, Jimale says, “Come and kill me.” He says he’s not frightened. Al-Shabaab would’ve killed him already if they wanted to.

The day after he receives his Marquette diploma, Jimale is getting on a plane back to Somalia. He wants to start his own radio station — one of the few forms of media left in the country. Over the last ten years, Al-Shabaab has shut down most of the newspapers, but it’s impossible to shut down all the radio stations, says Jimale.

He hopes to guide other youth away from violence and joining militias. Jimale says the only education most militants have received is about how to fight. “If militias can persuade them to carry a gun, I can persuade them to carry a pen or book,” he says.

Jimale thinks that with a degree, it’s possible to make a difference in Mogadishu. “At that time I wasn’t able to help my people, but now, when I graduate, I’m able to do something,” he says.

Even if he only works for six months before the Al-Shabaab make good on their death threats, as long as he’s able to help the Somali youth for a little while, Jimale is OK with dying.

***

In the midst of a bitter Milwaukee winter, Jimale longs for his home, the ocean, the sandy beaches, his family and his friends. “The best place to live is your home,” he says. “Nothing is better than home.”

Though the future of his country is uncertain, Jimale dreams of the old Somalia, where gun clatter isn’t background music for an afternoon game of soccer.

photos by AJ Trela

Don’t:

Him– What you wear to class is not appropriate for a night out. Pairing a super casual hoodie with a plain T-shirt shows you just don’t care enough to take the extra five minutes to spruce up. Dingy sneakers and baggy jeans are definitely a no-go for the night out, so leave them at home where they belong.

Her– A sexy, feminine look for going out does not have to include a mega miniskirt. When you want to look good for a night on the town, make sure that you can bend over without mooning the entire bar and that you can last longer than an hour in your flashy heels.

Do:

Him– After your last Friday class, you decide to go out for a night on the town. Go from a day to a night ensemble with a sharp button down and the jeans you already have on. Or, change into a sleek pair of gray jeans. Dress up the outfit with classier kicks, keeping a casual and approachable look.

Her– Keep it sexy and classy with black skinny jeans topped off with sharp pumps. Let yourself sparkle with a playful top that gives the outfit a splash of color. Leaving your hair down and natural makes getting ready quick and easy, while softening your look.

The Date Night

Don’t:

Him– Avoid distracting colors that risk burning your date’s corneas. Polos can be an option for date night, but wear one in a neutral tone (this does not mean pink, bro). Jeans can be comfortable and appropriate, but be sure to wear ones that have a higher quality or clean-looking wash rather than your everyday blues.

Her– Stay away from wearing something too form-fitting or short. Leave a bit to the imagination when you choose what you are going to wear for date night. Plus, more coverage will help you avoid constant readjustments while you’re out.

Do:

Him– On date night, think polished and approachable. Roll up the sleeves of a light colored button down and pair it with some clean-cut jeans. You will be more comfortable while maintaining a sophisticated evening look. Make sure your shoes are scuff-free, and don’t forget about cologne.

 Her– Every girl wants to stand out when she is on a date. Change up the look from your typical nightlife outfit by using softer tones and colors. Remember that subtle details can make a difference. When wearing a simple dress, spice it up with some accessories. If you go for a more daring ensemble, keep jewelry and shoes dainty and simple.

The Internship

Him– Don’t wear jeans. No matter how chummy you think you are with your boss, this can only make you look unprofessional. You want people to take you seriously, so unroll those sleeves, iron those pants and leave the boat shoes at home.

Her–  Don’t wear that black miniskirt. Even if you can rock it, it’s just not a work-appropriate item. Covering up your shoulders with a blazer won’t hide the fact you’re showing too much leg. If you’re not sure if your skirt is too short for work, be on the safe side and wear pants.

Do:

Him– Do dress the part. Guys don’t have a lot of options for office wear, but a few accents can help. Swap that white collared shirt for a bold button down, and classic ties that will impress your boss.

1. Lizzie Traudt, graduate student, student teacher in the Krueger Parent and Child Care Center

photos by Andrea Bartley

For graduate student Lizzie Traudt, the giggles and coos of the children in the child care center are music to her ears.

Traudt, who was a veteran babysitter before college, builds off of her experience by working as a student teacher in the infant room in the Krueger Parent and Child Care Center, an on-campus daycare for the children of Marquette faculty and students.

“I spend about two to three hours here for three days a week,” Traudt says. “Initially, I was actually assigned to work here as a service learning component of my developmental psychology class about five years ago as an undergraduate student. The child care center has connections to service learning programs on campus, and it really opened my eyes to this daycare for the first time.”

On a typical day at the child care center, Traudt sees about three to four infants while working, which ensures that each baby gets special care and treatment.

Her love of the job goes so deep, that if it came down to it, Traudt wouldn’t work for a penny.

“If I had to, I would do it for free,” she says. “When I came to college, I missed being around kids, and this is my opportunity to be around children again. It is the perfect job for me.”

2. Megan Sicinski, freshman, Cobeen Hall cafeteria worker

Between serving food, cleaning dishes, making sandwiches and wraps, and tidying up the Cobeen dorm cafeteria after close, it seems as though Sicinski has her work cut out for her,  but she insists that it is very much a doable job.

“It is nice working in a dorm cafeteria,” Sicinski says. “Sometimes, it can be hard to work there for long hours if the main course of the day is something with a strong smell, though, because it can be nauseating and I come out of work smelling like ravioli or chicken nuggets, but it’s not so bad.”

The plus side?

“After working on hot cookie nights, I end up smelling amazing!”

Sicinski has found interacting with the student population to be fairly simple, stating, “It is really as easy as this: when you’re nice to the students, they are nice back to you.”

3. Danielle MacKenna, senior, LIMO driver

After going through extensive safety patrol training, a written exam and additional training, Danielle MacKenna has found her position as a Marquette LIMO driver extraordinarily satisfying.

“We’re like a family here, and everyone really gets to know each other,” MacKenna says. “It is a very positive environment to work in, and I love it, but it’s not for someone who is looking for something easy.”

Driving a LIMO requires a lot of skill and sharp multitasking abilities, which, according to MacKenna, can be a struggle to pick up initially.

“It can be difficult at first, but everyone is so helpful at SSP and the job is very enjoyable, but not overwhelming,” MacKenna says. “Since most of the driving takes place at night, LIMO driving is a great complement to my school schedule, which I appreciate.”

A crucial part of driving LIMOs around campus is interacting with students on campus, which MacKenna says is an enjoyable part of the job.

4. Mary Margaret Gough, senior, Cobeen Hall desk receptionist 

As a desk receptionist, Mary Margaret Gough has a lot on her plate.

“We desk receptionists act as the first line of defense in the dorms,” Gough says. “We act as an info desk, we screen residents with cards before allowing them into the building, we keep track of keys and we do mailroom work as well.”

Despite all of this work, she assures that it’s not a difficult job to balance with schoolwork.

Are there any downers for the desk receptionists?

“Occasionally, we get a disgruntled parent trying to reach a student who isn’t answering his or her cell phone, which isn’t the most fun, but that’s rare,” she says.

5. Caroline Mahon, sophomore, Zumba instructor 

Who doesn’t like to party? For Caroline Mahon, the party happens every Tuesday and Thursday, when she works as a certified Zumba instructor at Marquette’s Helfaer Tennis Stadium and Recreation Center. Zumba is a Latin-inspired aerobic dance workout that blends international and hip-hop music as a form of exercise.

“At first, classes were really hard,” Mahon says. “It’s much harder to teach than to take classes because everyone’s staring at you and if you’re not doing something, then everyone’s not doing something… so you just have to learn to keep moving.”

She first got involved in Zumba when her mother recommended that she take a class at a local community center. Her instructor for the class then advised that she become certified to teach her own class.

“At my training [class], they were like, ‘Your first class will not go well; you will mess up,’” Mahon says.

Now more comfortable with the class, Mahon is able to choreograph exciting new routines for her students by watching YouTube videos and listening to both hip-hop and Latin-inspired music.

6. Jeanna Mascitti, junior, bartender at Sobelman’s @ Marquette 

Sobelman’s @ Marquette has become a culinary staple on Marquette’s campus. While most students go to enjoy a famous burger or basket of cheese balls, Jeanna Mascitti goes to work behind the bar every Thursday night.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Mascitti says. “I enjoy talking to people and joking around with people at the bar and [with] the servers.”

Much of Mascitti’s job entails receiving and filling orders for beers or mixed drinks, while also providing people at the bar with menus and answering the phone for take-out orders.

Although she’s typically out of Sobelman’s by midnight, Mascitti says there have been nights she had to work at the bar as late as 2 a.m. While bartending can be fun, Mascitti says it’s not for everyone.

“I wouldn’t say that [bartending] is great for a lot of students that like to go to bed early or have 8 a.m. classes,” Mascitti says. “It works out really well for me; it fits my schedule perfectly.”

7. Maria Berthiaume, freshman, assistant at Sports Rehabilitation Clinic 

Fetching ice packs and assisting in clean-ups may seem like busy work, but Maria Berthiaume finds it to be a rewarding experience.

“Depending on the injury, [the clinic] is for strengthening and for massaging out swelling to get [the injury] back to functional mobility after an injury of some sort,” Berthiaume says.

As a physical therapy major, Berthiaume hopes to someday work as an athletic trainer at an Olympics Training Center. That is why, as a freshman, she finds that assisting in physical therapy and athletic training services, such as strength training and rehabilitation, is a rewarding experience.

“I’ve learned a lot about specific injuries and different techniques of rehab,” Berthiaume says. She says she has also benefited from opportunities to assist in the use of medical equipment, such as ultrasounds.

While working with a staff of primarily freshman and sophomore physical therapy majors has taught her a lot, Berthiaume says the Sports Rehabilitation Clinic itself is a great benefit to Marquette students.

8. Russell Johnston, sophomore, teaching assistant for ARSC labs

Having taken the class last year, Russell Johnston felt that working as a teaching assistant for the Concepts in Modern Science labs would help him reach his goal of being a teacher.

“I’m in there, as a sophomore, leading a bunch of freshmen through the lab, and it’s such good practice,” he says.

As a teaching assistant, Johnston is in charge of running a weekly lab, as well as grading lab reports and answering questions that students have regarding the class. “All of the TAs do the lab the week before and then somewhat act as a go-between for the professors and [the students],” Johnston says.

Even though he took the class as a freshman, he says it’s definitely not the same experience. “I view [the class] differently because you can kind of see the other side of things, what the teacher’s thinking about when she’s assigning all of this [work] and more of the reasoning behind everything,” Johnston says.

9. Ben Fate, sophomore, RHA vice president for campus relations

As acting vice president for Campus Relations for the Residence Hall Association, Ben Fate might not receive the benefits of a paid job. However, Fate takes on the leadership position for alternative reasons.

“A perk of working for RHA is that all the types of people who I work with are similar to me in that we really enjoy being student leaders and we like helping other people accomplish their goals,” Fate says. “But the job is a little bit more unpredictable.”

This unpredictability has not prevented Fate from pursuing a leadership position at Marquette. While co-chairing networking and marketing within RHA, which serves as a publicity committee, he’s able to meet with students as equally committed to leadership as he is.

“For RHA, I mostly work with student leaders who have chosen to be in RHA,” Fate says. “They all have different leadership styles, but in terms of their commitment, I think they’re probably more committed to what they do because it’s somewhat of a volunteer position.”

A part of Fate’s commitment to RHA includes co-chairing the Lil’ Sibs Weekend planning committee, which involves coordinating the events that take place in April, when siblings visit their Marquette brothers and sisters.

Dining

Looking to fill up your fridge? Sam’s Club’s $40 collegiate annual membership, which comes with a $15 gift card, is perfect for a hungry student. Or, sign up for a Roundy’s rewards card and save money on Pick ‘n Save groceries. Cousins Subs on 16th Street and Wisconsin Avenue, offers students 10 percent off their entire purchase. Students also get a large one topping pizza from Papa John’s for $8. Downtown, John Hawk’s Pub gives students 20 percent off food and drink bills. Eat up! Drink up!

Travel

Homesick or just looking for adventure? Greyhound gives students 20 percent off walk-up fares. With the purchase of a $20 student advantage card, students get 15 percent off rail fares.

For the longer journey, AirTran offers students standby, one-way flight rates ranging from $49 to $99.

Museums

Paintings, sculptures and artifacts, oh my! The Milwaukee Public Museum is $11 for general admission with a college ID and $7 for IMAX movie admission. For those interested in attending the Milwaukee Art Museum, all inclusive entry is $12 for students. Or just wait until the first Thursday of every month, when the Milwaukee Art Museum is free for everyone.

Theater

Lights, camera, action! The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts offers student discounts that vary depending on the show. Students can get opera tickets for $15, or ballet tickets for 50 percent off. AMC Mayfair, located on Mayfair Road, gives students $3 off the usual admission price of $10 on “Student Day” every Thursday evening.

Try Marquette’s Varsity Theatre for $2 movies on Friday and Saturday nights. The Helfaer Theater also offers student prices for its plays.

Shopping

If you need some new kicks, Foot Locker offers students $10 off a purchase of $50 or more. The shopping continues at J.Crew and Rugby where students can get 15 percent off their entire purchase. Need office supplies? Office Depot will help you out with 10 percent off your entire purchase. And even if you can’t get to a store, but need to stock up on the essentials, Target.com offers a 10 percent discount on online orders.

 Professor discounts:

Students aren’t the only ones with school discounts. Professors can get the same – sometimes better – deals . Clothing stores       J. Crew and the Limited both offer 15 percent to all teachers, and arts and crafts giant Michaels offers the same deal on its wares. Perhaps one of the best deals a professor can get is at Apple’s education store. Depending on the purchase, a professor can save up to $200 on a new computer!

photo by Alex Alvarez

Martha Bissing

Age: 20

College: Engineering ’14
Major: Biomechanical Engineering
Campus activities: Society for Women Engineers, Best Buddies Program, Eucharistic campus minister

Martha Bissing loves a challenge.

That’s why this biomedical engineering major from Lake Forest, Ill., didn’t flinch when her interview for a coveted co-op position included not just your typical Q&A session, but also a hands-on circuit problem to solve.

She nailed the interview and the circuit challenge — and landed the job.

Now, halfway through her year-long co-op with Milwaukee-based Mortara, a manufacturer of medical monitoring equipment, Bissing is reveling in an experience that includes research and development, international contacts, interaction with the CEO … and some pretty intense ping-pong games.

One of the best parts of the job, according to Bissing, is that there is no “typical” day. “I’m always getting new projects and new challenges” she says. “It keeps me on my toes and keeps me interested.”

So when Bissing needs a break, she can attend one of Mortara’s on-site cooking or yoga classes, play basketball or take on her colleagues in a competitive ping-pong match. And when she is done with her break, she gets back to, well, breaking things.

Her job isn’t just about building engineering software and devices. It’s about trying to identify their weaknesses.

“Basically, I try to break the devices, so that the engineers can isolate and fix any problems before a device is manufactured,” she says.

Bissing says her job is both fun and challenging — “to come up with our own little tests [is] almost like a game, to make the system crash.”

An internship out of the ordinary is the perfect fit for this engineering major who defies stereotype. Sure, Bissing is strong in math, but the former editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper brings strong communications skills to the job as well.

“I love writing — that’s something you don’t really get with engineering,” she says, “but it sets me apart because it’s easier for me to convey my ideas.”

Bissing also isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd. While the number of women majoring in engineering is growing, it’s still a male-dominated field. More than once, Bissing has found herself as the only female in an engineering class, something that has prepared her well for Mortara. Her department is comprised of 25 engineers; only three are women.

She says, however, that being in the minority “just pushes me a little bit harder.”

While holding a paid job in her field with no homework and free nights and weekends may sound like easy street, the job world, according to Bissing, brings with it a different type of stress.

“The adjustment period was tough, but now I feel like a part of the team — from personally talking to the CEO to participating in everyday happenings at Mortara,” she says.

That’s not to mention her weekly calls to her supervisors in Italy, where Mortara has one of its many international offices.

As for the future, Bissing plans to return to classes in the fall of 2012 and graduate in 2014. And when it comes to her dream job after graduation, she’ll continue to seek out an opportunity that tests her skills and holds her interest.

“It will be something with lots of problem-solving and any kind of challenge that can be thrown at me,” Bissing says. “Being able to go in and work on a problem from start to
finish — that’s something I’d love to do.”