Daniel R. is a Pepperdine senior from San Diego studying mathematics, religion, and conflict management. He will graduate in the spring of 2019 and in the meantime, he’s one of PCH’s outstanding tutors. Despite his alleged nerdy math side, he loves all things active and outdoorsy. Get to know Daniel a little more through his own words:
What are you studying?
I’m a mathematics major, but I actually finished that last semester along with a minor in religion. I’m currently in a certificate program for conflict management - Pepperdine has one of the best programs for conflict resolution in the world - and that was something I tacked on to the end of my college education.
What’s your favorite mathematical concept?
The study of combinitorics - basically, advanced counting. It’s taught me how to count a bunch of ways to do something - which sounds nerdy, but it’s cool how powerful these tools and concepts are, that you can count such big numbers without a calculator.
How did you choose your fields of study?
Math is something I thought I excelled at in high school, and I saw the practical use of getting a math degree. I wouldn’t say I’m super passionate about it or want to go to grad school for it or anything, but I’m going to be interning at a nonprofit organization doing data analytics, so I can see the practical use of mathematics. I’m also a religion minor - I’m passionate about and super interested in this because Christianity and faith are both a huge part of my identity. As for the conflict management program, I figured I might as well take on some personal skills, because those will always be useful.
What are you hoping to do with that long-term?
I hope to work for a nonprofit in the future. I’ll be interning with World Vision International soon so I hope to work with them post-grad if possible, then long-term I’d love to work with either them or something similar, most importantly with a mission I can get behind. I would be super happy to use the analytical skills learned from my math major but I am also open to fulfilling other niche needs of the organization - even doing the actual field work and going to sites and helping in that capacity.
Why did you become a tutor?
I enjoy tutoring, and you kind of learn as you’re teaching. In fact, you learn better by teaching whatever you’re learning, so it’s actually a good way to hone my mathematical skills.
Do you have any tutoring success stories?
It’s always super cool when the student has no idea what’s going on either in their homework set or the lesson they’re supposed to be learning. Then after you spend time with them, you see the light bulb go off and they finally get it and they really start to power through the nitty-gritty of whatever problem it is. Those moments are really fun.
What is something a tutor or mentor taught you that you’ve found to be invaluable advice?
I go into professors’ office hours a good amount. If you have the opportunity to go into any professor’s office that’s pretty much the best tutoring you can get, and it’s free. I definitely recommend taking advantage of office hours.
What is some advice you want to give to students?
I usually ask my students a question to elicit their thoughts on a topic - for example, I’ll ask how they themselves see mathematics as beneficial. It depends on each student of course - some are just trying to get through the class to graduate - but asking them why they think it might important kind of gives them more agency, and they seem to be more invested in the class. It gives them a bit more ownership of the topic even if they didn’t choose the class in the first place.
What do you do for fun?
I love the ocean, I’m a big surfer, and I like to free dive and snorkel around the coast. I’m also getting SCUBA certified soon. I work as one of Pepperdine’s outdoor recreation guys so I get to lead a bunch of national parks trips, snowboarding trips, that kind of thing. I just got back from Zion last week - that was pretty amazing. I love hiking climbing, and doing anything outdoorsy, really.
