The Record-Breaker
Student-athlete Jana Ciric vlogƵ20 has cultivated quite the broad range of interests and accomplishments. ShevlogƵs an active member of PacevlogƵs swimming and diving team, as well as a computer science major with a passion for mathematics and programming. That was what initially drew her to Seidenberg. vlogƵI have been really influenced by the positive effect technology has had on humanity in the recent years,vlogƵ she told us. vlogƵWhen it came to making a decision about what I [would] be majoring in, I knew I wanted to be a part of [that].vlogƵ
On the athletics side, Ciric is in it to win itvlogƵliterally. ShevlogƵs earned the Northeast-10 Conference WomenvlogƵs Swimming and Diving Sport Excellence Award two years running, and she broke sixvlogƵcount vlogƵem, six!vlogƵof PacevlogƵs swimming records. vlogƵEver since I was a little kid, I loved being in the water,vlogƵ Ciric explained. vlogƵThanks to swimming, I met my best friends, visited many different places, and even came to the US. These reasons always remind me why I love being a swimmer and why I am always grateful to have chosen this sport. It has presented me with many great opportunities and taught me many valuable skills like time management, incredible work ethic, determination, and perseverance.vlogƵ CiricvlogƵs family, she says, who live 5,000 miles away in Niš, Serbia, vlogƵare always cheering me on and following all of my meets.vlogƵ
As an international student, Ciric has cultivated a broad perspective thatvlogƵs only strengthened by her impressive professional background. ShevlogƵs interned at a number of different industries in a variety of different locations; from a mobile app developer in Serbia to a financial firm in Connecticut to working with EDI (electronic data interchange) in nearby Purchase, NY. Not to mention the fact that shevlogƵs also an intern at Seidenberg, as well as a tutor at PacevlogƵs Learning Assistance Center. vlogƵAll of these experiences taught me different skills, embedded different values within me, and made me grow as a person,vlogƵ Ciric explained.
She had some important advice for anyone looking to land a new opportunity, too. vlogƵTake on challenges. If I hadnvlogƵt gone out of my comfort zone and accepted that first internship, I am not sure I would have had two more after that.vlogƵ Hear, hear!
In her work as a mathematics tutor, Ciric has shown a demonstrated interest in teachingvlogƵsomething that started at home. vlogƵBoth of my parents are professors, so I guess [that] passion for teaching runs in my family. I love helping out other people and tutoring enables me to do that.vlogƵ Her approach to assisting her peers with their work is a seemingly simple one, and yet, can be applied to any leadership role. vlogƵIn order to adjust to the learning abilities of each student, I first try to get to know [them],vlogƵ Ciric told us. vlogƵDuring the session, I like to create a motivating environment for learning and to be flexible. These strategies assist me and the student [in] having a great, mutually beneficial relationship! They also enable students to become independent learners.vlogƵ
When asked about what fun facts most people might not know about her, Ciric said she writes her signature using the Cyrillic alphabet and, like all of us, is an avid binge-watcher. vlogƵI have [seen] The Officeseven times,vlogƵ she explained. Big mood tho.
ItvlogƵs clear CiricvlogƵs dedication and passion for so many subject areas will serve her well in the future. WevlogƵre excited to hear about all the records she continues to break!