In Focus

Natasha Puri

What was your experience like as a Resident Advisor.

Being an R.A. was a really rewarding experience. I've learned a lot in how to deal with mediating certain types of conflicts. It also helped me shape my communication skills even better by interacting with such a diverse group of students. It took a lot of hard work and time since it’s basically a 24 hour job, but in the end it was definitely worth it.

How has being a part of Honors College helped you develop as a student at Hofstra?

I've been a part of HUHC since freshmen year so I went through Culture & Expression which provided a great insight into a variety of literary works. The professors are really passionate about the topics so learning is even more interesting. The work load can be slightly more intense than other classes. I feel like coming into college it really helped me stay on top of my studies and learn how to balance life and school.

What do you plan to do with business?

I want to apply to the BBA/MS program so that I can sit for the CPA exam and also graduate with a bachelors and masters degree. Hopefully I can get a position with one of the top accounting firms, but I'm not exactly sure what area of accounting I want to focus on yet.

How has the Honors option helped guide you to finding out what you wanted to study at Hofstra?

The Honors option was actually the reason that I decided to major in Accounting. I took an Honors option in my Accounting 101 class, and this provided a more in-depth study of the subject that really captured my interest. With this option, I was able to learn some basic knowledge about the different aspects of accounting and after I knew it was what I wanted to do.

Which faculty member has been an influential mentor to you?

I took Accounting 101 with Dr. Elizabeth K. Venuti and after I decided to major in accounting. She's also the academic advisor for Alpha Kappa Psi, the Co-ed Professional Business Fraternity I am a member of. She's been a wonderful resource for me in and outside school, and it's great that she's involved on campus with our fraternity as well.

What kind of possibilities have opened up for you since you began working with them?

Besides being able to help me with scheduling and academic advisement, she encouraged me to participate in Pricewaterhouse Cooper's Xtreme Challenge Competition, and with all our hard work and time we were the winning team. As well, she's been a resource in helping me apply for a PwC internship.

Sophomore
Accounting Major
Informtion Technology Minor
Hometown: Hicksville, Long Island