Senior Spotlight June 2012:
Laura Watson
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In Spring 2011, Political Science major Laura Watson from La Crescenta, California was initiated into Mortar Board for her superior scholastic ability, outstanding and continual leadership, and dedicated service to the community. Laura was appointed to be the Historian for Mortar Board, and later absorbed the duties of Webmaster as well. Outside of Mortar Board, Laura is very involved with the UCLA Political Science Department--she is President of the Political Science Honor Society, Vice President of the Political Science Student Organization, and plays an informal advising role to the Chair in the development and marketing of the department. She currently works in the non-profit legal sector as a JusticeCorps volunteer, and will be transitioning back to the private sphere with an internship at a toxic torts and product liability firm in Long Beach this summer. While at UCLA, you can find Laura pursuing any and all kinds of art, running, hiking, or adventuring. Please continue reading as we turn the spotlight on Laura!
Describe your personality in three words:
Responsible. Adventurous. Amiable :)
What is your best quality? Give an experience when you have put this quality to use.
My best quality is my ability to remain calm, focused and rational even in high-pressure, chaotic scenarios. This helps me in many instances, not least of which are midterms and finals weeks! But it comes in handy the most during live events my student organizations host, and it was especially useful during the 2011 Political Science Department Commencement Ceremony that I played a fairly large role in organizing. The Faculty Speaker chosen by the department staff would not end his speech, and it was cutting into the time the Keynote Speaker (a US Congresswoman, who needed to leave the ceremony early anyway) had for her speech! She complained to the department, creating a major PR disaster for the university, but throughout all the heightened tensions and finger pointing I remained collected and impartial, and my relationships with those in the Poli Sci office improved as a result.
What are your interests?
I love trying new things--new restaurants, new activities, traveling to new places, you name it. I also love art, and I took drawing, painting and ceramics classes throughout most of high school, but that hobby died a little bit when I came to UCLA and pursued a non-arts major. I love good food, good wine, good friends and good times, and in the past couple years I've also become really interested in law, philosophy, and what it means to be a productive and useful citizen.
What do you like about UCLA?
What a prime location this university has. Beaches, shopping, clubs, and bars are all over the place, so there's always something to do or see. And when those things start to bore you, drive a little ways out of the city and you can hike or snowboard in the mountains. The weather is usually beautiful, and being sandwiched among the gorgeous mansions of Beverly Hills and Bel Air definitely doesn't hurt, either.
What is one thing you would like to change at UCLA?
Parking is terrible. If only UCLA would put more effort into making parking more plentiful and affordable for its students.. But no, it just builds new dorms to house even more students who will find it even more difficult to keep a car around campus.
What has been your biggest learning experience?
My biggest learning experience has been learning to work well with others whose minds operate completely differently from mine, or who come from drastically different backgrounds, and understanding how best to get along with them socially and professionally. The sheltered little town I came from near the suburbs of Pasadena was pretty homogenous and conservative, the kind of place where there were maybe five African American kids in a school of 2,800 students and my family was probably quietly considered weird for not going to church regularly. So it's definitely nice to be a part of a highly diverse campus like UCLA, but it took me a little while to realize that not everyone was motivated by the same things that I was, and that as a leader it was my responsibility to understand the driving forces behind others' desires and actions.
Name two movies you could watch over and over again? Why?
Hm. Being the pursuer of the "new" and "different" that I am, I'm kinda of the opinion that life is too short to watch the same movies over and over again haha. But if I had to pick, I'd probably go with Zoolander (because quoting from that movie never gets old) and The Hunger Games (really liked the way the movie was directed, and Liam Hemsworth is quite the visually appealing man).
What is your favorite book and why?
These...are hard questions. I'm going to nerd out for a sec and name Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, because I really agree with a lot of its concepts on how "the good life", a life of virtue, should be lived.
If you could meet anyone in history who would it be and why?
I feel like I'm supposed to pick someone famous for this, but I'm going to break with convention and say I'd like to meet my first distant ancestor who decided to come to America. I don't know exactly when the Watson family line first arrived here, but it would be great to have a little conversation with him or her about why he or she fled Europe, what life was like back then, etc. It's possible the earliest American Watson came on the Mayflower, and that would be a cool journey to hear about. I could tell my ancestor about life in the future, how the United States has evolved over the years, see what their thoughts are on the state of the current nation...it would probably be the most interesting conversation I've ever had with anyone, ever.
If you could go anywhere in the world for a day where would you go and why?
Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Prague--a whirlwind European tour hitting all these scenic countries that I haven't visited yet!
What career would you like to pursue after graduation? Why?
I'm going to be a lawyer. The objectivity and logical thinking of the career appeals to me, and I find all the grey areas of right and wrong one can argue about to be fascinating. Plus, law is a great avenue through which to change policy and make a difference in peoples' lives. The only other profession I can think of that does that on a regular basis is a politician, and I'm too disillusioned with politicians right now to consider becoming one.
What characteristics does it take to become a great leader?
To become a great leader of others, one must first master understanding and leading herself. A good leader must constantly assess her performance to make sure whether she is, in fact, a good leader, and should be willing to seek constructive criticism to make her an ever-better leader. Good leaders should also be empathetic and inspiring visionaries, able to balance big-picture thinking with the detailed organization required to see those plans through.
Name one person you admire? Why?
My mom is amazing. Since day one, she has taught me my most important values about family, work ethic, accountability, time management, and so much more. She's also an incredibly smart and selfless woman (a former Bruin! Woo!), and a loving mother and wife. She's my idol and one of my best friends and strongest supporters, and I have so much respect for her.
Who has been your most influential professor and why?
My most influential professor is Brian Walker Esparza, because it's through the three political theory classes I've taken with him at UCLA that I've cultivated the civically-minded perspective that I operate on now. He is a brilliant man, an inspiring and passionate professor, and an incredibly warm and welcoming person in general.
Which is the one television character that you simply adore?
Lauren Conrad from The Hills lol. I really like the way she dresses, and I have to give her props for taking her role on an incredibly vapid show about overprivileged Laguna Beach teens and actually making a legitimate well-paying career out of it. Plus, unlike other reality stars like--oh, I don't know, Kim Kardashian--she's actually able to willingly retreat from the spotlight. Also, I love Harvey Specter and Mike Ross from Suits--Specter because he's a take-no-prisoners kind of lawyer and I admire that kind of ballsiness and talent, and Ross because he's brilliant but also has a really good heart.
What are the three most played songs on your iPod?
"Danza Kudaro", Don Omar & Lucenzo
"Whatever You Like", Anya Marina
"Little Talks", Of Monsters and Men tied with "All the Above", Maino
If given a choice, which animal would you want to be and why?
A pampered house cat. They have the best life.
Have you traveled outside of the United States? If so, where?
Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, England, Brussels, Denmark and France.
What is the funniest prank played by you or on you?
Fall of my freshman year at UCLA, my roommates thought they'd prank me by sticking a freaky Halloween mask decoration under my pillow. They waited with bated breath as I climbed up on my bunk and settled into bed...and promptly fell asleep. Next night was the same, as my roommates eagerly waited for me to brush against that awful rubbery mask and start screaming...but once again I silently fell asleep. After about a week of this, my frustrated roommates finally told me, "Laura, look under your freaking pillow already" and it was only then that I became aware of it. That quickly became one of the many fond inside jokes we had that year.
What does being a member of Mortar Board mean to you?
Being a member of Mortar Board means that I'm one of twenty-eight Bruins campus-wide that best portray scholarship, leadership and service, and that I should thus always act in a way befitting of this honor.
Responsible. Adventurous. Amiable :)
What is your best quality? Give an experience when you have put this quality to use.
My best quality is my ability to remain calm, focused and rational even in high-pressure, chaotic scenarios. This helps me in many instances, not least of which are midterms and finals weeks! But it comes in handy the most during live events my student organizations host, and it was especially useful during the 2011 Political Science Department Commencement Ceremony that I played a fairly large role in organizing. The Faculty Speaker chosen by the department staff would not end his speech, and it was cutting into the time the Keynote Speaker (a US Congresswoman, who needed to leave the ceremony early anyway) had for her speech! She complained to the department, creating a major PR disaster for the university, but throughout all the heightened tensions and finger pointing I remained collected and impartial, and my relationships with those in the Poli Sci office improved as a result.
What are your interests?
I love trying new things--new restaurants, new activities, traveling to new places, you name it. I also love art, and I took drawing, painting and ceramics classes throughout most of high school, but that hobby died a little bit when I came to UCLA and pursued a non-arts major. I love good food, good wine, good friends and good times, and in the past couple years I've also become really interested in law, philosophy, and what it means to be a productive and useful citizen.
What do you like about UCLA?
What a prime location this university has. Beaches, shopping, clubs, and bars are all over the place, so there's always something to do or see. And when those things start to bore you, drive a little ways out of the city and you can hike or snowboard in the mountains. The weather is usually beautiful, and being sandwiched among the gorgeous mansions of Beverly Hills and Bel Air definitely doesn't hurt, either.
What is one thing you would like to change at UCLA?
Parking is terrible. If only UCLA would put more effort into making parking more plentiful and affordable for its students.. But no, it just builds new dorms to house even more students who will find it even more difficult to keep a car around campus.
What has been your biggest learning experience?
My biggest learning experience has been learning to work well with others whose minds operate completely differently from mine, or who come from drastically different backgrounds, and understanding how best to get along with them socially and professionally. The sheltered little town I came from near the suburbs of Pasadena was pretty homogenous and conservative, the kind of place where there were maybe five African American kids in a school of 2,800 students and my family was probably quietly considered weird for not going to church regularly. So it's definitely nice to be a part of a highly diverse campus like UCLA, but it took me a little while to realize that not everyone was motivated by the same things that I was, and that as a leader it was my responsibility to understand the driving forces behind others' desires and actions.
Name two movies you could watch over and over again? Why?
Hm. Being the pursuer of the "new" and "different" that I am, I'm kinda of the opinion that life is too short to watch the same movies over and over again haha. But if I had to pick, I'd probably go with Zoolander (because quoting from that movie never gets old) and The Hunger Games (really liked the way the movie was directed, and Liam Hemsworth is quite the visually appealing man).
What is your favorite book and why?
These...are hard questions. I'm going to nerd out for a sec and name Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, because I really agree with a lot of its concepts on how "the good life", a life of virtue, should be lived.
If you could meet anyone in history who would it be and why?
I feel like I'm supposed to pick someone famous for this, but I'm going to break with convention and say I'd like to meet my first distant ancestor who decided to come to America. I don't know exactly when the Watson family line first arrived here, but it would be great to have a little conversation with him or her about why he or she fled Europe, what life was like back then, etc. It's possible the earliest American Watson came on the Mayflower, and that would be a cool journey to hear about. I could tell my ancestor about life in the future, how the United States has evolved over the years, see what their thoughts are on the state of the current nation...it would probably be the most interesting conversation I've ever had with anyone, ever.
If you could go anywhere in the world for a day where would you go and why?
Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Prague--a whirlwind European tour hitting all these scenic countries that I haven't visited yet!
What career would you like to pursue after graduation? Why?
I'm going to be a lawyer. The objectivity and logical thinking of the career appeals to me, and I find all the grey areas of right and wrong one can argue about to be fascinating. Plus, law is a great avenue through which to change policy and make a difference in peoples' lives. The only other profession I can think of that does that on a regular basis is a politician, and I'm too disillusioned with politicians right now to consider becoming one.
What characteristics does it take to become a great leader?
To become a great leader of others, one must first master understanding and leading herself. A good leader must constantly assess her performance to make sure whether she is, in fact, a good leader, and should be willing to seek constructive criticism to make her an ever-better leader. Good leaders should also be empathetic and inspiring visionaries, able to balance big-picture thinking with the detailed organization required to see those plans through.
Name one person you admire? Why?
My mom is amazing. Since day one, she has taught me my most important values about family, work ethic, accountability, time management, and so much more. She's also an incredibly smart and selfless woman (a former Bruin! Woo!), and a loving mother and wife. She's my idol and one of my best friends and strongest supporters, and I have so much respect for her.
Who has been your most influential professor and why?
My most influential professor is Brian Walker Esparza, because it's through the three political theory classes I've taken with him at UCLA that I've cultivated the civically-minded perspective that I operate on now. He is a brilliant man, an inspiring and passionate professor, and an incredibly warm and welcoming person in general.
Which is the one television character that you simply adore?
Lauren Conrad from The Hills lol. I really like the way she dresses, and I have to give her props for taking her role on an incredibly vapid show about overprivileged Laguna Beach teens and actually making a legitimate well-paying career out of it. Plus, unlike other reality stars like--oh, I don't know, Kim Kardashian--she's actually able to willingly retreat from the spotlight. Also, I love Harvey Specter and Mike Ross from Suits--Specter because he's a take-no-prisoners kind of lawyer and I admire that kind of ballsiness and talent, and Ross because he's brilliant but also has a really good heart.
What are the three most played songs on your iPod?
"Danza Kudaro", Don Omar & Lucenzo
"Whatever You Like", Anya Marina
"Little Talks", Of Monsters and Men tied with "All the Above", Maino
If given a choice, which animal would you want to be and why?
A pampered house cat. They have the best life.
Have you traveled outside of the United States? If so, where?
Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, England, Brussels, Denmark and France.
What is the funniest prank played by you or on you?
Fall of my freshman year at UCLA, my roommates thought they'd prank me by sticking a freaky Halloween mask decoration under my pillow. They waited with bated breath as I climbed up on my bunk and settled into bed...and promptly fell asleep. Next night was the same, as my roommates eagerly waited for me to brush against that awful rubbery mask and start screaming...but once again I silently fell asleep. After about a week of this, my frustrated roommates finally told me, "Laura, look under your freaking pillow already" and it was only then that I became aware of it. That quickly became one of the many fond inside jokes we had that year.
What does being a member of Mortar Board mean to you?
Being a member of Mortar Board means that I'm one of twenty-eight Bruins campus-wide that best portray scholarship, leadership and service, and that I should thus always act in a way befitting of this honor.
