My name is Zoe Byrd, and I am from Lancaster, SC. I am a senior at the University of South Carolina Lancaster (USCL) pursuing a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies (BLS) through Palmetto College. My focuses are English and Sociology with a minor in Business. My GLD pathway is Diversity and Social Advocacy.
This e-Portfolio and GLD experience has ultimately been a reflection of my college career and experience. To truly reflect, I want to start at the beginning by sharing a story.
On November 10th, 2021, I went to USC Lancaster to share some news with my mentor and advisor, Dominique Waller. During our conversation, she pulled out an old newspaper (one from when I graduated high school in 2019) and reminded me of something I once said. In my salutatory speech at graduation, I gave my classmates this advice: “I encourage you to be the writer of your own story. Choose what path in life you want to take...Pursue your passions, desires, and ambitions.”
Looking back on my college career, there were moments I didn’t follow my own advice, when I ignored my desires and let others influence my story. Yet there were also times when I did let my passions guide me, such as when I decided to pursue the Diversity and Social Advocacy GLD pathway.
But, regardless of whether I thought my decisions were "right" or "wrong" at the time, they all led me on a path full of valuable experiences and connections that ultimately brought me to where I am today.
My college career has consisted of three USC campuses and three different degrees. In August of 2019, I moved an hour away to USC Columbia to live on campus by myself. I had been accepted into the Honors College and was an English major. For a brief time, I imagined double-majoring in English and Civil Engineering. But looking at the math requirements for engineering and remembering how I failed AP Calculus in high school quickly discouraged me from pursuing that any further. Besides classes, most of the Fall 2019 semester was spent working in the FIXX Maintenance Center and watching all seven seasons of Parks and Recreation.
But, after the first semester, I realized I was not meant to stay in Columbia for the next three and a half years. So, in December of 2019, I packed all of my belongings back into my car and moved back home. After finalizing my transfer to USC Aiken, I completed a semester online as a Business Administration student. In retrospect, this decision meant I was safe at home right before the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Spending four months at the start of 2020 taking classes I truly was not interested in or passionate about was simply not fun, but I am glad I got to do it safe at home with the people I love and my cat Stewie instead of alone in a dorm room.
Soon into those four months I realized Aiken and Business Administration were not meant for me either. So, in Fall of 2020, I transferred once again, back to USCL where I started my college career as a dual enrollment student. Now, I am finishing as a Palmetto College student. I switched to the BLS degree to continue pursuing my passion in English and to start exploring my interest in Sociology. In addition, after trying to apply twice as a dual enrollment student, I finally became a Peer Advisor at Lancaster (PAL). My love for USCL is endless, and being a PAL has given me the opportunity give back through service to my peers.
Throughout my time as a college student, I really had no idea of what I wanted to after graduation. I knew I would eventually pursue a master's degree, but an obvious career path evaded me. This past summer, that career path finally revealed itself. During USCL Orientations, I had the privilege of helping Asheley Schryer, Director of Student Success and Retention, and Summer Harmon, Student Success Coordinator, during group advising sessions for first-year students. During these sessions, I would help students navigate Schedule Planner, find non-conflicting classes, and register for classes. Towards the end of the summer, I realized I wanted to go into student affairs and advising. A couple months after this realization, the stars aligned, and I was offered an academic advisor position at USCL. So, after I graduate on December 13th, 2021, I will be starting at USCL, not as a student but a staff member. As mentioned, I will also be pursuing a master's degree in higher education or student affairs in the near future.
This e-Portfolio and GLD experience has ultimately been a reflection of my college career and experience. To truly reflect, I want to start at the beginning by sharing a story.
On November 10th, 2021, I went to USC Lancaster to share some news with my mentor and advisor, Dominique Waller. During our conversation, she pulled out an old newspaper (one from when I graduated high school in 2019) and reminded me of something I once said. In my salutatory speech at graduation, I gave my classmates this advice: “I encourage you to be the writer of your own story. Choose what path in life you want to take...Pursue your passions, desires, and ambitions.”
Looking back on my college career, there were moments I didn’t follow my own advice, when I ignored my desires and let others influence my story. Yet there were also times when I did let my passions guide me, such as when I decided to pursue the Diversity and Social Advocacy GLD pathway.
But, regardless of whether I thought my decisions were "right" or "wrong" at the time, they all led me on a path full of valuable experiences and connections that ultimately brought me to where I am today.
My college career has consisted of three USC campuses and three different degrees. In August of 2019, I moved an hour away to USC Columbia to live on campus by myself. I had been accepted into the Honors College and was an English major. For a brief time, I imagined double-majoring in English and Civil Engineering. But looking at the math requirements for engineering and remembering how I failed AP Calculus in high school quickly discouraged me from pursuing that any further. Besides classes, most of the Fall 2019 semester was spent working in the FIXX Maintenance Center and watching all seven seasons of Parks and Recreation.
But, after the first semester, I realized I was not meant to stay in Columbia for the next three and a half years. So, in December of 2019, I packed all of my belongings back into my car and moved back home. After finalizing my transfer to USC Aiken, I completed a semester online as a Business Administration student. In retrospect, this decision meant I was safe at home right before the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Spending four months at the start of 2020 taking classes I truly was not interested in or passionate about was simply not fun, but I am glad I got to do it safe at home with the people I love and my cat Stewie instead of alone in a dorm room.
Soon into those four months I realized Aiken and Business Administration were not meant for me either. So, in Fall of 2020, I transferred once again, back to USCL where I started my college career as a dual enrollment student. Now, I am finishing as a Palmetto College student. I switched to the BLS degree to continue pursuing my passion in English and to start exploring my interest in Sociology. In addition, after trying to apply twice as a dual enrollment student, I finally became a Peer Advisor at Lancaster (PAL). My love for USCL is endless, and being a PAL has given me the opportunity give back through service to my peers.
Throughout my time as a college student, I really had no idea of what I wanted to after graduation. I knew I would eventually pursue a master's degree, but an obvious career path evaded me. This past summer, that career path finally revealed itself. During USCL Orientations, I had the privilege of helping Asheley Schryer, Director of Student Success and Retention, and Summer Harmon, Student Success Coordinator, during group advising sessions for first-year students. During these sessions, I would help students navigate Schedule Planner, find non-conflicting classes, and register for classes. Towards the end of the summer, I realized I wanted to go into student affairs and advising. A couple months after this realization, the stars aligned, and I was offered an academic advisor position at USCL. So, after I graduate on December 13th, 2021, I will be starting at USCL, not as a student but a staff member. As mentioned, I will also be pursuing a master's degree in higher education or student affairs in the near future.