Johnny Hazboun, a student studying computer engineering at Purdue, has wondered since he was very young what he could do to make an impact on the world that was so great that in “400 years, they will remember us”. To accomplish this, he has put his trust in Purdue to help him to achieve this legacy.
When Hazboun first started at Purdue, he believed that participating in student clubs would help him to make a greater impact – so he got busy! Hazboun has been president of nine clubs in the eastern region. He currently sits as the president of the Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Student Union, which leads 10 student organizations in representing and advocating for students from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the SWANA regions on campus. Hazboun also spends his time working as a resident assistant, helping to supervise and mentor students in his residence hall. In addition, he works as a research assistant for the Human-Interactive Robotics Lab, helping to integrate artificial intelligence into human prosthetics.
If he can find any free time, Hazboun likes to diversify his activities by spending time with his friends and checking out new restaurants in Chicago. His favorite spots are in an area called Little Arabia, where he enjoys the latest dishes. His favorite food? A shawarma sandwich – or really, anything spicy.
When asked what advice he would give to others seeking to make an impact, Hazboun says that the biggest obstacle that hinders us is fear. Fear of failure – or embarrassment – is what holds back many people. He recommends intentionally stepping out of your comfort zone, realizing that you have nothing to lose and not being afraid of trying something new. This is a powerful perspective to have.
In building his leadership and professional development skills, Hazboun credits his skills to trial and error. Looking back, he realizes that he may not have been a great leader at the beginning – but with enough exposure, acceptance of his failures and taking advice from others, he has improved. Hazboun stresses that you should always take advice to improve yourself. It is important to listen to what others with experience are offering you. Hazboun advises that it is important to lead by example and not just give out orders. Good leaders should always be able and willing to do a task first. He says to focus on the positives and realize that no one person is more important than another. Hazboun also reminds us that it is vital to show gratitude when leading. Recognizing people for their success and contributions makes them feel appreciated and welcome on a team.
When asked if he had any advice for international students just arriving on campus, Hazboun relates that it can be scary and overwhelming to arrive in a new country with a different language. He recommends that international students look at all the resources Purdue has to offer, jump in and join a club rather than hide away from others. It is never too late to join clubs and organizations. Hazboun also wants to remind students that they will never have all these resources, opportunities and mentors available in one place ever again. Use them early and as often as possible.
Finally, when asked about what personal well-being means to him, Hazboun says mental health and well-being are very important. He says that you might think you are fine one minute, but then exams and responsibilities pop up – which can take a toll and lead to burn out. He recommends taking breaks and time for yourself to relax, sit down, work out and spend time with friends. There are also things that you can do to help yourself. Johnny suggests planning for those busy times by intentionally scheduling breaks and/or something fun to do for yourself. It can be as easy as treating yourself to ice cream or going to the gym. If you can, Hazboun recommends seeing a therapist to help get through those stressful times. He says that there is no shame in seeking someone to talk to about your thoughts and feelings.
If you want to add Hazboun to your network, connect with him on LinkedIn.