I had the opportunity to interview Hassan Ahamed, an incoming MD/ Ph.D. student at the Carver College of medicine. He talks about how he overcame the tough rigor of coursework, as well as balancing his lifestyle as an undergraduate engineering student.

How to land a position without relevant experience. After having Ahmed Ismail on for episode 4, I decided to bring him back for episode 5 where he talks about landing an internship at GE (General Electric) without having experience. Sneak Peak: Communication and confidence can go a long way in a job interview.

I had the privilege of interviewing Ahmed Ismail, a McNair Scholar. The McNair Program is a United States Department of Education initiative with a goal of increasing attainment of Ph.D.'s by students from underrepresented segments of society. He just returned from his study abroad in the United Kingdom and his co-op at GE Aviation.

Although he isn't the biggest fan of the education system, he believes that it is a useful tool for defining your pursuit of purpose.

Meet Lilián Sánchez, a first-generation college student from Des Moines, Iowa graduated this May with degrees in Ethics and Public Policy and Political Science. Lilián has contributed to the UI community serving in various leadership positions.

In April 2017, she was elected the Vice President of the University of Iowa Student Government, the first Latina woman to serve as vice president for the organization. Through the position, she has continued to advocate for first-generation college students and students with marginalized identities as she began doing after her first year at the University of Iowa as an Iowa Edge Peer Leader.

Most recently, Amnesty International selected Lilián for the Ladis Kristof Memorial Fellowship; through a ten-week residency program, she will work to advance human rights with a global team of advocates!

Abdelwadood Daoud talks about how it was difficult growing up in a low-income environment, and how he used his situation as a motivator and driver for his success

I had the privilege of interviewing my good friend, Abdelwadood Daoud who was willing to take us through some of the significant steps he walked across his journey to becoming a successful Mechanical Engineering student and securing an internship (Co-op) at Tesla Motors. Here are episodes 1 and 2 with Wadood, and his journey to his own pursuit of purpose! He wasn't dealt the best cards, but he figured out a way to make the best of what he was given.

This is the begining of the Your Pursuit of Purpose podcast (YourPOP). It acts as a platform for underrepresented and underprivledged indivudals to speak on their successes, excellence, and how they overcame adversity.