As a first-generation college student, Mark Allman says he originally only valued academic success. But after completing his first year as a finance and marketing major, Allman has learned to balance his academic studies with his extracurricular activities — and learn from his mistakes in both.
Since he started at The Ohio State University, some internships have turned him down, but the rejections eventually led him to a summer role with Huntington Bank. He also applied for an exclusive consulting club that — although it didn’t admit him — created a path to an enriching experience with the Underwater Robotics Club.
Even at his first Ohio State football game, he watched the Buckeyes lose to Oregon and lost some of his school spirit. Then, he realized that he actually looked forward to the memories and traditions (like crossing out every “M” the week leading up to our rivalry game with That Team Up North), rather than just the winning.
While Allman still prioritizes his classes, he’s also learned to lean into his extracurricular activities and move past potential setbacks. Now, he’s a Capital Pillar Intern at the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship where he applies what he’s learned about failure.
“In this position, I’m creating a startup that will work on innovative projects for the university. I love this job, as I’m both able to have an impact on the university and learn skills applicable to my career,” states Allman.
As Allman began to get more involved outside the classroom during his first year at Ohio State, he also found that it’s important to take advantage of the university’s resources. Allman encourages other students to take care of their mental health and reach out to Counseling and Consultation Services for support when needed.
Now, thanks to his resilience, dedication and willingness to seek support, Allman is thriving both in and out of the classroom at Ohio State.
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