Get to Know the Officer - Isha Mehta

• Isha is our GA! President and was chosen for our first "Get to Know the Officer" segment because of her bubbly personality and overall dedication to empowering women. Keep reading to learn a little more about Isha, her experience as a UT undergraduate, time in GA!, and post-graduation plans!

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Isha Mehta
Hometown:
Major: Government and Plan II 

What has your undergrad experience looked like?
Much like anyone's undergraduate experience, mine has had a lot of ups and downs over the past four years. I've been through some of the worst moments of my life at UT in terms of mental health, relationships, and friendships but I've also met many of my favorite people that are going to be lifelong friends, been connected to amazing internship opportunities, studied abroad, discovered my true passions and skills, learned about injustices going on in our own communities and around the world, and met some of my idols like Wendy Davis and Gloria Steinem. I've also learned a ridiculous amount about myself and definitely feel like a better, healthier, and stronger version of myself because of my time at UT. 

What was your favorite class at UT?
My sophomore year, I took a class called South Asian Migration to the United States. That was my first introduction to Asian American Studies in any sort of academic setting. It was a really incredible experience to learn about people who look like me and have the life experiences of me and my family, which isn't typical in the classroom for people of color. This course influenced the thesis I'm currently writing, gave me a new appreciation for my parents and other immigrants, and brought me two of my closest friends. 

What organizations did you join and stick with? Why?
The two organizations I stuck with in college are GirlAdvocates! and the Liberal Arts Council. I joined LAC because I wanted to give back to a university that has given me so many opportunities, and I knew I had ideas on how to bring those same opportunities to other students in the College of Liberal Arts. I'm a member of the Academic Affairs committee, and I love all the work we do to uplift COLA courses, research, and study abroad. The people I've met in LAC are super fun and inspiring in every way - I've learned so much about what I want to pursue in the future and the kind of person I want to be because of them. I joined GA! because of the community service and female empowerment opportunities, and I decided to stay in it because of the community of women I've found and because I believe I could be a part of expanding our outreach and initiatives. 

Are you excited and/or ready to graduate? 
Heck yeah, I'm super ready to graduate!! That's not to say I'm not enjoying myself or not going to miss UT, but I think I've gotten all that I can from UT classes, internships, and interactions and I'm ready to apply that knowledge to the real world. It's all slightly terrifying but I'm excited to see what I can learn outside of the 40 Acres. 

What are you planning on pursuing after graduation?
After graduation I'm going to be a Business Analyst at Capital One in Dallas, TX. I want to work for a few years before going to either law school or to pursue a masters degree to achieve my ultimate goal of working in policy and advocacy.