Student Profile: Jules Soto
Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of the Chatham experience is the community. In such unprecedented times, I (Abigail Kneuss ‘23), have become increasingly grateful for this community and its members. In an effort to showcase just a few of these great people, I’ll be doing a series of student interviews in the coming weeks. These highlights are for students, about students, and by students. This week features Julissa (Jules) Soto ‘23.
Jules is a beam of sunshine on-campus. As an RA in Woodland, an Education major, and a friend to all, it’s hard not to notice her upbeat energy. Learn more about her and how she plans on bringing this positive attitude into her future below!
Jules Soto ‘23
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Early Education PreK-4
Hometown: Bethlehem, PA
Q: Why do you want to go into teaching?
A: I really want to help kids. I’ve always enjoyed working with kids and seeing them grow and learn. I currently work at a before-school daycare four days a week. They say the funniest things and it’s so fun to help them out. I usually work with kindergarten-age kids which is around the age group I want to teach. Ideally, I want to work in a learning center with kids so I can work in the pre-school age range. I know that it’s a job I will enjoy and have fun with each and every day.
Q: What’s the best part of your program?
A: I love Dr. Cunningham! She’s my advisor and the professor for a lot of my classes. I’ve actually had her for a class every semester I’ve been at Chatham. We talk all of the time after class about education and life and her kids. During quarantine last semester, we would always stay on Zoom after class to chat and it meant so much to me.
Q: Outside of your studies, what do you enjoy doing?
A: I love hanging out with my friends! We’ve had to get creative to ensure that we are doing it safely, but an afternoon on the quad laughing with friends is honestly one of my favorite things. Besides that, I love to cook. I don’t have a stove right now so I’ve become a master of microwave and crock-pot cooking. My favorite is microwave quesadillas or microwave tortillas with butter. I stole that idea from a restaurant I love back home. It’s the perfect Zoom snack!
Q: As an RA, why do you feel it’s important to follow and enforce COVID procedures?
A: It’s crazy important to enforce them! Everything I do, and others do affects everyone around us. I think that people need to get that mentality on it and consider the implications of every action they take. I’m really worried about it getting cold as an RA and people breaking rules. I know it sucks and it’s tempting, but we really can’t get risky with COVID right now. I’m trying to find the positive in everything and get creative with safe ways to hang out with friends. I’m going to make my time at Chatham, even with a global pandemic, worthwhile and fun while still keeping others safe.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned during your time here?
A: I’ve learned that people with different views on things aren’t as different from you as you may think. I know that’s controversial to say in today’s political environment but so much of my experience has been making friends with people from all kinds of backgrounds. It has made me more open-minded in so many different ways. I do things I would have never done before coming to college. I started knitting! And I’ve made friends through that hobby. It’s small things like that, that bring people together and make Chatham special.
Know a student that should be featured or would like to be featured yourself? Email us! We’re happy to hear your suggestions.