Saranga Jain

DUS Experience

When did you enter DUS?
Freshman year.
How many semesters did you spend in DUS?
Two.
Why did you choose DUS?
I had no idea what field I was interested in; and the idea of exploring different interests and not having to make an immediate decision about my major was very appealing.
What resources did you use in your exploratory and decision-making process?
My adviser, Dr. Bill Farnsworth, was wonderful. He gave me interest tests that helped me realize what and what did not appeal to me in a career and a major. He also suggested reading material and gave me other contacts so that I could broaden my knowledge about the careers I was considering.
Did DUS benefit you? If so, how?
Yes, I benefited from DUS mostly because my adviser spent an enormous amount of time listening to my likes and dislikes in whatever future career I chose. Because I had the change to talk about it out loud, it only took me a year in DUS to discover exactly what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. I am very glad I had such an opportunity and such a kind adviser, otherwise, like many other students I would have spent my college career unsatisfied with my major and/or future.

Penn State Experience

What major(s) (and minor(s), if applicable) did you end up choosing?
English with a minor in Philosophy
What year did you graduate?
1998
What extracurricular activities made a difference in your college experience?
I was involved with a lot of volunteer organizations and the Department of Legal Affairs. This led to more opportunities in different activities during my last two years at school.
Looking back, would you have done anything differently during your time at Penn State?
I would have become involved in extracurricular activities my freshman year instead of my sophomore year. While getting involved was hard at first because it means meeting new people and being the new kid in whatever organization one chooses, it is most definitely worth it. I met wonderful people and did wonderful things I hadn't known I was capable of. The work I did in the student organizations I was involved with gave meaning to my college career as classes never could have.

Professional Experience

What jobs have you held since graduation?
  • Legal Assistant
  • Special Events Coordinator
  • Peace Corps Volunteer/Teacher Trainer
  • Research Associate, Reproductive Health and Nutrition, International Center for Research on Women
  • Health Manager
What is your current occupation?
Specialist, Adolescent Health and Nutrition, International Center for Research on Women

Profile Last Updated: April 3, 2008