alex batuello

​When I transferred into Illinois State University in the fall of 2016 I knew I had an
opportunity to shape the rest of my life, I just didn’t know the exact details on how to do so. I
was involved in some organizations at my previous university, and was looking to get involved
at ISU as well. I joined a small organization in the fall but I was ready for a new challenge as the
semester wore on. That opportunity came in the early weeks of the following semester when I
attended Alpha Kappa Psi’s info night. That night and the following week I was exposed to the
fascinating  ideals and benefits of becoming a part of Alpha Kappa Psi.
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Luckily, I was selected to be part of the pledge process for the fraternity, and while I
knew that taking challenging accounting courses, working part time, and pledging would be
tough, I was more than ready to take on this challenge.

During the following nine weeks, I learned more about becoming successful in the
business world, and being successful in life than I had in all my years of school previously. I was
pushed harder than I had been before; I was humbled on numerous occasions, and most
importantly: I was supported like I have never been before. I could speak endlessly on the
professional skills, the soft skills, opportunities and the code of ethics that Alpha Kappa Psi
instills in its members, but I feel the most important is the support system we have for our
members. There is not a time I can remember where someone wasn’t offering a helping hand, or a
push in the right direction. There is not a single individual in this organization that is not willing
to help in some facet. There is such a broad array of interest and knowledge that the
opportunities are endless. This organization completely reshaped me from whom I thought I was
to who I really am. Alpha Kappa Psi is the reason why I was able to accept an internship offer
this spring, and why I was selected to continue working for the same firm through the upcoming
summer until I return to campus in the fall of 2018.

Hands down, rushing Alpha Kappa Psi was the smartest decision I have ever made to secure a
future for myself, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have the privilege of calling myself a
brother of this fraternity. I can only hope I can give back to this organization as much as this
organization has given to me.