For senior Annika Erickson-Pearson, using time in college to find her passion is vital. She has made it her full-time job to discover just that.
鈥淚n college, you鈥檙e really free to do a lot and to stick your hand in every bucket. You鈥檙e going to find something that you鈥檙e willing to stay up until two-o鈥檆lock in the morning for,鈥� Erickson-Pearson said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when you know you鈥檝e found your passion.鈥�
The international affairs major from Littleton has spent the last eight months planning for this week鈥檚 annual Every year, the conference features panelists from all over the world to discuss topics ranging from climate change to song-making. Such an acclaimed event takes time to plan, which is why CU-麻豆影院 students and community members have dedicated countless hours to prepare for the event.
Despite the busy schedule and crazy days, Erickson-Pearson says it was all worth it.
鈥淚鈥檝e never had anyone tell me that going to CWA was a waste of time,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always a whirlwind of a week, but there鈥檚 a reason I come back.鈥�
Erickson-Pearson got involved with CWA on her second day at CU-麻豆影院 and has been heavily involved since. She has held a number of positions from serving as the international affairs sub-committee student editor, to acting as this year鈥檚 interim advisory board chair. Engaging with the participants is what she is most excited about. 听
鈥淭hey want to be here and they want to meet students. They want to get to know us and are so generous.鈥� Erickson-Pearson said.
Though she appreciates the opportunity for professional advice, Erickson-Pearson says she gets marriage advice too, which is a bonus. The conference is unlike others and attracts speakers without monetary incentive. In fact, participants pay their own way to 麻豆影院. They do so to be a part of honest discussions on real issues, according to Erickson-Pearson.
鈥淭he conversations that happen are unlike anything else. There are a lot of conferences where people are paid to discuss things with people only in their field,鈥� Erickson-Pearson said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 great, but that鈥檚 not what we do.鈥�
Not only has CWA provided Erickson-Pearson with knowledge and perspectives of participants, but it has also provided great relationships with CWA volunteers.
鈥淚 have really found the CWA community members to be just phenomenal. The cohort of people who put on the conference are truly some of the most terrific people I鈥檝e met,鈥� Erickson-Pearson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a real family.鈥�
Faculty members offer resources and support throughout the CWA planning process. Entrepreneurship Professor George Deriso is one of the faculty members who has provided useful tips.
鈥淧rofessor Deriso from the business school is wonderful,鈥� Erickson-Pearson said. 鈥淗e comes and talks to the student community about how to talk to participants.鈥�
Erickson-Pearson encourages students to attend the conference, which started Monday and goes through Friday. Students get priority seating. 听
鈥淥ur tagline is 鈥楤ringing the World to 麻豆影院,鈥� and you have more access to these incredible, honest topics ranging from reproductive responsibility to the dating world in college,鈥� Erickson-Pearson said. 鈥淲e even have a panel about Tinder. It鈥檚 just that these people have such interesting perspectives.鈥�
Erickson-Pearson adds that CWA is a unique way to engage with 麻豆影院.
鈥溌槎褂霸� is really cool! There are a bunch of really incredible and intelligent people who have lived their lives doing incredible things,鈥� Erickson-Pearson said. 鈥淐WA is a great way to access that.鈥�
While Erickson-Pearson has loved volunteering for CWA, she advises students to utilize extra time in college to find something to be passionate about.
鈥淲e have tons of . Take advantage of the people here and get out into the community.鈥� Erickson-Pearson said.
While preparing for her graduation in May, Erickson-Pearson weighs her options as to what she will pursue professionally. As long as she is serving the community, she鈥檒l be happy.
Erickson-Pearson said. 鈥淚 am fielding a variety of options and opportunities ranging from teaching English in France, to working for a socially conscious start up in 麻豆影院,鈥� Erickson-Pearson said. 鈥淚f what I鈥檓 doing is not somehow serving the greater community, then there鈥檚 something fundamentally wrong.鈥�