The "Meet Your Student Leaders" series provides graduate students and postdoctoral fellows an opportunity to get to know the students who run the various graduate student organizations at UAB.
Q: What is your name, age and program of study?
A: “Becky Hauser, 26, doctoral student in Graduate Biomedical Sciences – GGB theme.”
Q: What is your role within the organization?
A: “GBSO Treasurer.”
Q: What responsibilities does that role entail?
A: “Submit reimbursements for GBSO planned events; keep track of GBSO funds; and aid in request for new funds from GSG.”
Q: How much time do you dedicate to the organization?
A: “Depends on the week and if there are any events going on. Sometimes no work is needed in a week, some weeks 1-3 hours on meetings and duties.”
Q: How are you benefitting from this leadership position? How will it help you achieve your future career goals? What are you learning from this role?
A: “I’m benefiting by helping GBS as a community provide more support and events for grad students to come together as a community or to learn valuable skills. I’m also practicing maintaining a budget and organizing events.”
Q: Why should graduate students get involved in student organizations?
A: “It gives you experience with being a leader for your peers, and helps you feel more a part of a community.”
Q: Why should graduate students get involved in leadership positions within those student organizations?
A: “Being involved in leadership positions within grad student organizations gives you a better idea about how professional committees run and puts you in a more active role in shaping your graduate school experience for you and your peers.”
Q: How do you balance being a graduate student with the responsibilities that come from this leadership position?
A: “Scheduling! Thanks Google calendar! J Having extra responsibilities makes you better at using your time wisely and prioritizing your tasks for the day.”
Q: What else do you do?
A: “I help with recruitment for my graduate program, and I mentor several outstanding students in my lab. As a part of GBSO, I help with planning events and am a part of the selection committee for the GBS travel award. I’m also a member of the Student Counseling Services Student Advisory Board. I am a very proud cat mom to my wonderful cat Bingley, and I love being creative and doing crafts! Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of sewing, embroidery and painting in my free time.”