College of Liberal Arts
University of Minnesota
Twin Cities Campus
101 Pleasant St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
The Giver
“Books without the knowledge of life are useless; for what should books teach but the art of living?”
–Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
More than Just a Paycheck
What are you going to college for? A prestigious job title? Hopes of commanding a better salary? Often students see a college education simply as a ticket to a successful career.
A couple of years ago David Ansari had goals like these in his sights. But he has come to have a change of heart.
“I am interested in going into medicine, and I guess from what I’ve been told, doctors make a pretty good deal of money but that’s not my interest at all,” Ansari says. “If I had my choice I’d go into volunteer work like Doctors Without Borders and would be perfectly content living in a grass-floored hut.”
Ansari, a junior honors student majoring in psychology and French, lives each day looking to help others, rather than advancing his own personal betterment. He wouldn’t be one to admit that, but after hearing him speak about his humanitarian involvement for just thirty minutes, you might wish you could have an ounce of the dedication and commitment Ansari has for others.
But when Ansari first enrolled at the University of Minnesota, he was interested in making a lot of money and as he calls it, “becoming some evil old man.”
That’s definitely changed now. “I think just being in college has made me a lot less self-centered and made me focus more on helping others,” Ansari says.
Ansari currently works as an access assistant with the University of Minnesota Disability Services. He takes class notes for students who need such assistance. He also works to make classes more accessible to students with disabilities by proctoring tests, reading class materials aloud, and converting documents into Braille or large type.
“When I first signed up for it, I thought it was a volunteer position and then I went to the interview and they said they were going to pay me,” says Ansari. “I would be interested in continuing to work with people with disabilities [anyway]. It’s just really fun.”
Other humanitarian programs Ansari is involved with include volunteering at a local homeless shelter for children and at a clinic for low income individuals living with HIV.
“I meet all kinds of people when I volunteer, and we all share our experiences,” Ansari says. “I get to take a break from the busy campus and spend time with those in need.”
An Introduction to Brain Research
In addition to learning about living through helping others, Ansari also has been learning about living through research. Over the past two years, he has been a part of two different research projects in the psychology department: one involving brain and cognition research, and the other studying Parkinson’s disease.
The brain and cognition research position is comprised of mainly data entry and test observation. The Parkinson’s study is more encompassing, being run through the Department of Psychology, the University of Minnesota Medical School, and the Department of Neurology. In this research program, Ansari actually administers tests on Parkinson’s patients.
“It’s a way to see firsthand that people with Parkinson’s have certain symptoms they tend to exhibit.” Ansari says.
Ansari first got involved with undergraduate research after taking a summer class with his psychology professor Karen Hanson. Through research, Ansari was able to find specific areas he was interested in, which enabled him to see different studies, disorders, and diseases.
“I think I’m one of the only students involved with this particular study, and I’m kind of surprised because there are so many people who would want to do it,” Ansari says. “It’s not something I applied for.” Ansari says that students can find out about research projects simply by talking with different faculty members. “You don’t have to go to any great lengths to do research.”
Maturing Attitude
Transitioning from high school to college, Ansari thought he could get by and do well without having to work very hard. But it wasn’t until he learned how to manage his time that he was able to go to class, get involved with research, and volunteer.
“When they say that it’s good to read [the assignments] before you go to class, they’re really not kidding,” Ansari says.
Ansari’s attitude change wouldn’t have been possible without assistance from his CLA Honors advisors Kit Gordon and Tom Fitzgerald, who informed him about upcoming events and helped him register for classes.
“I tend to be kind of a scatterbrain, and it’s good to have people who can advise me and guide me along the way,” Ansari says. “I’m doing a double major in psychology and French, with a minor in chemistry. Most people who are practical and rational would probably think that’s crazy. In Honors they embrace people who aren’t exactly rational.”
About this profile: first published Spring 2005; written by Brad Spychalski (B.A., History, 2005)
David Ansari graduated from the University in Spring of 2007 with a degree in Psychology.