Emi Matsuura, VP of Operations, interviews former Chapter President
Mike Wong. Mike has graduated from U.C.,
Davis with a baccalaureate in Biology and is currently working in biotechnology.
As Chapter president, Mike received the Nevada/ California Outstanding
Chapter President award.
Emi: Why did you participate in Beta Theta
Omicron?
Mike: It was my first semester at Skyline
College in Fall 1999. Many of my friends didn’t go to college.
I didn’t know many people. I wasn’t sure what to study in
college and I also wanted to expand my social network. One day I saw
a FQK flyer advertising for new members.
The flyer said it offered activities (conferences, monthly meetings,
social events, etc.) but also focused on academics. I went to one of
the general meetings and was really shy at first, but everyone seemed
to have open arms. From that day on, I was hooked on ???. Not just because
of the social opportunities but also the ability to be surrounded by
people who appreciate academics and also want to provide service to
the community.
Emi: Do you think the experience of Phi
Theta Kappa help you to get in your major?
Mike: FQK
didn’t help me to get into the major directly, but it did expose
me to many people who had experienced or are experiencing the same paths
to take in deciding which major to study. In other words, FQK
helped me surround myself with goal-oriented people who cared about
academics and there future.
Emi: What did you gain through your experience
as an officer of Beta Theta Omicron Chapter? And what is most valuable?
Mike: When I first started in college,
I was extremely shy and clueless with how to communicate with people
outside of high school. I was intimidated with starting conversations
and was afraid that I didn’t measure up talking to new people.
Being an officer for FQK slowly built my
confidence and ability to interact with new faces. Probably the best
part about being an officer is attending meetings and conferences where
you are encouraged to meet new people. FQK
is a great organization because it actually exposes you to real life
situation and presents you with opportunities you will eventually experience
after college, but not necessarily during college. FQK
will help you accelerate your personal growth in the real world.
Emi: Did membership in Phi Theta Kappa
make any difference when you applied for jobs?
Mike: Membership in FQK
definitely helped in applying for jobs because FQK
is not a club it’s a professional organization. And because many
of the activities we do are service activities and social, you will
have more confidence and experience to offer during a job interview
or on a resume.
Emi: What has Beta Theta Omicron meant
to you?
Mike: Honestly speaking—FQK
was the best thing that happened to me in college. If it wasn’t
for ???, I would be a different person. FQK
helped me grow during college. I was able to overcome my fear of public
speaking, build my ability to talk to new people and learn the importance
of teamwork.
