Central MA College Standout: Assumption’s Patrick Giroux
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Assumption sophomore Patrick Giroux loves to spend his time giving back.
• Parent Executive, The 2014 Assumption College First Year Student Orientation Program
• Siblings Weekend Registration Executive, Assumption College Campus Activities Board
• Active member of the Assumption College Social Justice Committee
• Volunteer at Worcester’s Dismas House, throughout the Assumption College Reach Out Center
A conversation with Patrick Giroux
SW: How would you describe yourself in a few lines?
PG: I would describe myself as a passionate and devoted community contributor. I enjoy getting involved in both my community at home and at school. I have always had a passion to step in and lend an extra hand, and help out as much as I can. The biggest reward I get from helping others is seeing a smile on their face. At the end of the day, I smile because others are smiling as a result of my actions.
SW: How have you taken a leadership role in school or in the community?
PG: Throughout my whole life, I have always held leadership roles. I have learned and observed various leadership styles from leaders I regard highly. I try to incorporate some of their styles into the way I lead my peers. At Assumption, I currently serve as my class president and have the assistance and support of a great team of class officers and a helpful class advisor. In addition, I will be one of five students leading this year’s Parent Orientation Program. I was also selected as an executive member of Assumption’s Campus Activities Board. All three leadership roles have helped me to become a more caring and devoted person and student leader. I believe all leaders, whether on campus or in the world need to work with a team of fellow colleagues to help accomplish the task. No significant action can be completed alone; one needs the support and guidance from others to complete it.
SW: How do you give back?
PG: Community service is something I am very passionate about, and always have been. I remember when I was younger I would beg my parents to drive me down to the soccer field “snack shack,” so I could help make popcorn, or help fetch orders from the customers. I love giving back; it feels so good to give back to a community that has done so much for me. I enjoy helping out the elderly, especially. Whether that is shoveling their driveways in the winter or raking leaves in the fall, the elderly is a population I strive to reach out to and assist. And of course, after spending lots of time with them you can hear some pretty interesting and fascinating stories from their pasts.
SW: Do you have a business? If so, can you describe it?
PG: Personally, I do not have a business. My family owns a real estate company back home, and I hope to be a full time member of the business in a few short years. I do own several stocks however, which I guess is kind of considered a mini-business. I think it is fascinating to observe and study the stock market, and see what companies are succeeding, and learn about financial trends and different markets. I am not a “hard-core” investor, but it is something I enjoy looking at in my free time.
SW: What are your plans for your future career?
PG: I envision myself carrying on my family’s tradition. I will be working at the family real estate office in my hometown and marketing homes. Real estate and its trends fascinate me. I hope to expand the business and start up a real estate development side of the business. Of course, being a sophomore in college, my mind will probably change a hundred times, but that is what I am thinking today. I am certain I will not be sitting in a cubicle for the rest of my life; I need to be on my feet and moving around interacting with others.
SW: Describe a stereotype of students that you have found to be untrue.
PG: Some students claim Worcester is a “boring" city, with nothing to do unless you are older than 21. Being a student that is under 21, I cant testify that Worcester is actually an intriguing city, with events and activities occurring every day. Worcester’s WOO Card showcases hundreds of events and activities to do. In fact, our Office of Student Activities has WOO Cards to distribute to any student on campus, free of charge. These cards offer deals and discounts to hundreds of local shops, including a free topping at Wooberry, my favorite perk of the WOO Card. The outdoor ice-skating rink, located behind City Hall, is a popular and awesome feature of the city. For $2 you can skate and enjoy a few hours away from campus.
SW: What’s your favorite place to go to on campus? In Worcester?
PG: On campus, my favorite place to go is the Office of Student Activities. Everyone in the office always has a smile on their face, and the staff down there just loves to talk and make you feel like you’re at home. Not to mention their comfortable couches always make you want to go back down and hang out for a while. In Worcester, I love the Boynton. Every time my family comes up to visit, we always head over to the Boynton. It is one of my all-time favorite restaurants, and I love the relaxed atmosphere as well.
SW: What is your favorite book, movie, or series?
PG: My all time favorite book is Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. I first read it in high school, and it continues to be my favorite book to this day. I can relate to the book a lot, growing up with an uncle that had cerebral palsy. The book is really touching to me and the entire story is extremely relatable for my family and I.
SW: What about a favorite social media site?
PG: Twitter is probably my most visited social media site. Some accounts on there are designed to make people laugh, and I love reading tweets from those accounts. I use to be more into Facebook, but lately it has been Twitter.
SW: What is your favorite quote?
PG: I have lots of favorite quotes. One quote that I recently heard and really liked was “If you don’t know yourself, you can’t be yourself.”
SW: What piece of technology can you not live without?
PG: I cannot live without my iPhone. It literally houses my entire life behind that little screen. Everything from meeting times to my Christmas list for my family is on there.
SW: What or who has had the greatest influence on you to date and why?
PG: My parents. Both are the hardest workers I know and strive to do everything they can to help out my three brothers and I. Somehow, they always manage to put a smile on our faces every day. They are my best friends, and I cannot even imagine life without them.
SW: What would someone be surprised to learn about you?
PG: I am obsessed with my car. My car is like my child, and it is one of my most cherished possessions.
SW: If you could do just one thing, locally, nationally or globally to make a difference, what would it be?
PG: I would eliminate childhood diseases. It is so sad walking around and seeing a little boy or girl with some sort of medical ailment. I would like to see them being able to live like their healthy peers. Whether that is playing sports or as simple as playing tag at recess, I wish every child could live an equal and disease-free childhood. No child should have to worry about that next surgery, or when they need to change their oxygen tanks.
GoLocalWorcester presents Central MA College Standout, a weekly feature that profiles college and university students in Central MA. Join us every Tuesday for a look at the careers and lifestyles of today’s local college student. If you have suggestions for a College Standout profile, please email [email protected].
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