About Patrick

​ I enjoy watching different genres of movies and T.V. shows but during these final two weeks of summer vacation, I’ve specifically enjoyed watching documentaries. I like how documentaries explain events or even recap people’s lives. It is always fascinating to learn about people and hear their opinions and ultimately what has put people in the positions and places they are in now, whether it is good or bad. I enjoy documentaries that involve crime and mystery or a documentary about sports or sports figures. I recently watched a documentary on Netflix called The Hall of Shame, it involved one of the most powerful people in sports during the steroid/doping era. The rising popularity of steroid use in the 1990s through the early 2000s was being used by prominent athletes like Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Olympic runners such as Marion Jones who benefited from the man who distributed these drugs named Victor Conte. The documentary shows an interesting perspective of Conte’s viewpoint and innocence and the mindset of these athletes to win at all costs. I’m not suggesting that I am selling steroids to William Paterson athletes, but I enjoy doing introductions about myself because I can explain myself and tell my own story just like a documentary would.  

​When I graduated from Bergen Community College in 2018, I never thought I would come back to school again. I worked for almost five years at various jobs doing tasks I didn’t like for long hours and minimum pay. It felt good to save money and make car payments, but I realized over time that I may have more potential, and I wanted to start following some of my interests like communications, writing, and public relations. I knew I was capable of achieving more so that’s when I decided to come back to school, attend William Paterson University, and finish my bachelor’s degree in public relations. I like to think I have become a wiser student now at the age of 26 compared to when I was a first-time student at 19. I try to be more aware of the opportunities, resources, and clubs William Paterson has to offer me, like being a member of the journalist club for example.
​During my first years as a student in Bergen, I wanted a good grade on a test or assignment, but I didn’t have the good study habits needed to feel confident. I have become more aware of the importance of being a better listener, finding ways to be curious and challenge myself, and understanding the importance of being prepared. I’m starting to realize that the real challenge becomes doing it consistently. I’m uncertain what I intend to do with my degree yet. I’m starting to gain an interest in crisis management, specifically in sports, but I haven’t learned enough on the subject matter yet. Sometimes it can be stressful to overthink the unknown, so I try not to look that far ahead. Returning to school as a full-time student after a long time away can feel like I’m looking straight up at a tall mountain. All I have been saying to myself is to just focus on the next step in front of me. Hopefully climbing this mountain will result in a degree and more opportunities for me. 

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