The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union

The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union

The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union

Campus Forum: Joseph Holliday

Why did you choose to major in science?
I had a hard time deciding, and I’m a role model for people who want to switch majors. I gave a speech at the Honors Council of California. The speech was to encourage those who are really motivated to remember that it’s the best to pick a major based on your personality. A student should pick a major whether it’s the most demanding job or not. In my senior year, I switched from pre-med to geology.

Besides teaching, what other things are you involved on campus?
I’m the director of the Honors Transfer Program, which is half of my job. I spend as much time on that job as professors do on campus. And for fun, I’m co-advisers to four or five clubs on campus. We have had fundraisers to raise money for Africa and for the Pow Wow, by the Native American Club.

What is the purpose of the Honors Transfer Program?
It’s to encourage students to go to school full time and finish in two years instead of working a part-time job and going to school part time, too. The good thing about this is that the student gets done faster and wastes less time.

What keeps you motivated when you are involvd in multiple activities on campus?
It’s all about the students. I believe that we should live this life contributing more than we’ve taken. The campus has multiple opportunities to help students such as MESA. And I also like to teach and help my honors students.

How long have ou been working at EC?
Fifteen years and this is my second career.

What would you say to students who are shy to join clubs?
I would encourage everyone to get into a club like ASO. Communication makes a club successful. College students will be lost if they do not participate in extracurricular activities, because that’s part of the college experience.

Ho do you find the time to juggle your workload around?
I do not watch television. I’m serious about it. I made a conscious decision.

More to Discover