Balancing Business and Biology

Nusrat Ara Begum

Medical Assistant, Ezra Medical Center

Class of 2023
BBA in Business Management / BS in Pre-Nursing (double major)

Member Of: Cosmetology Club, Pforzheimer Honors College Programming Community, Beta Alpha Psi, Dean’s List

Nusrat Ara is a rising star from the class of 2023. With concentrations in Business Management and Pre-Nursing, Ara found that she has a unique point of view on career development, which has led her to pursue her passions with incredible motivation. Before she even step foot in Pace University, this go-getter already had plans of starting a student organization, the Cosmetology Club, which has become a very successful hub for students looking to learn more about skincare and makeup. She has also been active on campus in many other ways. She participated in the Beta Alpha Psi Atlantic Coast Regional Meeting Best Practices Competition, where the Pace University team won 1st place for team innovation!

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

When I attended Pace University's Open House in 2019, I knew right away that there were amazing opportunities offered at the Lubin School of Business. I was intrigued by the large variety of programs available to students and I appreciated Lubin's efforts to host networking events often, encouraging students to develop connections with professionals. This was something I knew I would take advantage of. The cherry on top of enrolling at Lubin is its location in New York City. I love to be in a fast-paced environment surrounded by people who are striving to accomplish their goals and dreams. It motivates me to work harder and serves as a reminder to persevere because it is those who work hard who will prosper.

You started the first Cosmetology Club at Pace; tell us a bit about the motivation behind that idea and how it is enriching the student experience on campus.

It all started in 8th grade when I would play with my mother's Maybelline liquid eyeliner to create a cat-eye look. As I grew older, I was intrigued by the idea of using makeup as a form of self-expression. After I graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, I knew I did not want to let go of my hobby once I started college, so I searched for ways in which I could bring my passion to the Pace University campus. I was eager to start this community so that I could meet people who share the same passion. Before my first semester even started, I was already inquiring about what I needed to do in order to start and run my very own student club. Thanks to the guidance of Jaclyn Kopel, director, Pforzheimer Honors College, the Cosmetology Club at Pace University exists today. The club's goal is to use makeup as a medium to promote empowerment, self-care, self-love, diversity, and inclusivity. We are 100% committed to achieving this goal by fostering a loving community that welcomes absolutely everyone, regardless of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, etc. Some members find the meetings and events we host to be therapeutic or fun, as they can spend time doing what they love with others! This club is brand new and I am excited to see it grow and leave a bigger impact on Pace University.

You are also on the Pforzheimer Honors College's Programming Committee on the NYC campus. What have you learned from that experience so far?

Despite all the stress and hard work that goes into the time-consuming process of planning on-campus events, I genuinely enjoy having an idea and being able to make it come to life with support from my team. In the Fall of 2019, my favorite event to help plan was "Harry Potter Movie Night." I loved to see how everyone on the Programming Committee transformed the creative ideas we brainstormed together into a reality. Event planning has taught me how to use limited resources in a creative way and how to make an every-day lecture hall look like a Hogwarts classroom. I found that the challenges that we overcame along the way made event planning fun and exciting! Under high pressure and fast paced circumstances, we are forced to come up with inventive and new ways to work around the problems we encounter.

One day I'm figuring out how to balance an accounting spreadsheet and the next day I'm balancing chemical equations. However, it is great being a business student who is simultaneously completing the pre-nursing track because I am able to make a lot of connections with what I am learning in business-related classes and apply them to what I am learning in healthcare-related classes and vice versa.

What is it like to be a business student who is also completing the pre-nursing track?

It is quite difficult, as I find myself multitasking every day and absorbing plenty of knowledge from two different fields. One day I'm figuring out how to balance an accounting spreadsheet and the next day I'm balancing chemical equations. However, it is great being a business student who is simultaneously completing the pre-nursing track because I am able to make a lot of connections with what I am learning in business-related classes and apply them to what I am learning in healthcare-related classes and vice versa. Taking this route has taught me the importance of having good time management skills, being able to deal with stress wisely, and making sure I dedicate days to myself so I can avoid burnout.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking to get involved on campus?

College really is what YOU make of it. As the saying goes, "It's not about the cards you've been dealt, but how you play your hand." So, play your cards wisely by taking advantage of what is offered to you here at Pace University. It's all about making the most out of your experience here. Whether it be Fall Festival, a job fair, or a club meeting, you should make time to attend these types of events because being present at them could give you the opportunity to develop skills you may have not learned in class or you may even discover new interests.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

To me #LubinLife means growth. The unique culture at Lubin really pushes students to reach their full potential by providing necessary resources and opportunities. By taking advantage of what Lubin offers, I see myself growing as a person every day as I find myself absorbing knowledge from different classes, trying to help others through the Cosmetology Club, and making new friends on campus!