Uber-Student Snow is Commencement Speaker
By Dan Silvia, Communications Manager
The word Uber denotes an outstanding or supreme example of a particular kind of person or thing. It also happens to be a perfect description of spring 2018 commencement student speaker Jason Snow.
In addition to being an uber-student, Snow is an uber-husband, an uber-father, and, yes, an Uber driver. He has taken advantage of the flexibility offered by his current occupation to earn his degree, as well as to spend quality time with his wife, Cami, and 5-year-old son, Austin.
“When I decided to go back to school I knew I would need a job that allowed me to juggle the many roles that I have,” Snow said. “I currently fill the roles of husband, father, student, researcher, VP of the Pre-Health Professionals Organization on campus, I volunteer as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), and I serve in a regional leadership position within my church. Looking at my schedule it became clear that I could not have a job that required regular hours. Driving for Uber allowed me to get up early in the morning -- usually about 4 a.m. -- and earn a little money to help support my family while I went to school.”
Snow had already earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and was enrolled in a graduate-level program in psychology at UNO before deciding to change paths.
“After visiting the national conference for the field, I began to realize that it was a career for people more introverted than me. Most of the work was done in front of a computer with minimal human interaction,” Snow said. “I realized that I really loved helping people one-on-one and I also enjoyed very intellectually stimulating work. This left me with a desire to become a doctor.”
Snow began researching education options in the Omaha area.
“A few of my priorities regarding school were cost and the speed at which I could finish the prerequisites for medical school,” he said “After comparing programs with other local universities, it was clear that Bellevue was the best choice.”
Snow began pursuit of his Bachelor of Science in Biology at Bellevue University in 2016, just in time to take advantage of newly remodeled and refurbished science labs.
“The new labs are amazing,” Snow said “One of the things that I've enjoyed most about Bellevue is that as an undergraduate in the science program we have access to machines other undergraduates at larger universities can only dream of. I have spent the last year researching connections in cell signaling pathways within a cancer line. The opportunity to engage outside of class has really enriched the experience I have had learning here.”
When he isn’t studying or taking care of his Uber responsibilities, Snow enjoys being outdoors, playing his ukulele, working on his podcast - WNBA Weekly, and serving his church and community. He is scheduled to take his Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) two weeks after the June 2 commencement ceremony at Bellevue University.
“I'll be applying this fall to medical schools. My top three schools are the University of Utah, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Creighton, but I'll probably be applying to a half dozen or so more just to have a good chance at getting in somewhere,” he said.
In his commencement address, he’ll encourage others to pursue their own goals, as well.
“If a college degree is what you need to pursue your dream, there is no better place than Bellevue,” Snow said. “The opportunity to learn in an environment where professors know your name is a huge advantage.”