“I think the most valuable part of the PULSE experience for me is seeing Pittsburgh in a new perspective.” -Meera Rajput
Meera Rajput, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, grew up in a small suburb called Huntington Valley just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received a B.S. in Psychology with a Minor in Economics. At her time at the University of Pittsburgh, she was involved in many activities including Asha for Education, where she helped host events that highlight the educational issues and poverty that underprivileged children in India face. She also was involved in Psi Chi, an Honors Psychology Society, and Behavioral Economics Club, which looked at the intersection of psychology and economics in the consumer market. Outside of Pitt, she served as an undergraduate intern at the Women’s Law Project, a public interest legal center devoted to protecting and advancing the rights of women. Meera’s hobbies include reading novels, writing short stories, watching movies, running, and eventually, learning to play the guitar. She is a part of the Northside cohort, and is serving at the Pennsylvania Innocence Project.
Abbey Schulz: What has been the most valuable part of the PULSE experience so far?
Meera Rajput: I think the most valuable part of the PULSE experience for me is seeing Pittsburgh in a new perspective. Even though I have lived here for four years, this experience has exposed me to the greater community of Pittsburgh and I have been better able to engage with community members.
Abbey: How has PULSE inspired you to live/think/act differently?
Meera: PULSE has encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone. At times, I have difficulty introducing myself and talking to new people, but PULSE has given me the ability to network, ask questions, and engage with new people.
Abbey: Tell me something you are learning about yourself through PULSE.
Meera: I consider myself to be a good listener, , but this experience has taught me how to listen more constructively and without inserting my own beliefs or solutions to what people have to say. It is especially critical in my nonprofit to leave any previous notions at the door and not to judge others.
Abbey: What do you enjoy most about your nonprofit partnership?
Meera: I enjoy my relationship with my supervisor and the interns in our office. I am learning a lot about not only the law, but about how non-profits operate. The best thing about my nonprofit is being able to talk to the interns and my supervisor about their experiences in order to understand what I want to pursue further in my career.
Abbey: What have you enjoyed most about living in community?
Meera: I have enjoyed living in my house because I am able to be myself around my roommates. We are able to talk through conflicts because we are open and honest with each other.
Abbey: What is the most interesting/fun adventure you’ve had in Pittsburgh so far?
Meera: I went to Randyland with some other fellows and was able to meet the man who started it all! Speaking with Randy and hearing his own challenging experiences and how he created a space for people to come and enjoy his art was really inspiring.
Abbey: What’s your favorite “family meal” recipe for the house?
Meera: Zucchini boats!
Abbey: What is the best part of the PULSE experience?
Meera: Living out part of PULSE’s motto: growing.
Story by PULSE Fellow Abbey Schulz.
Read more Fellow Stories about their experience in PULSE. If you would like to learn more about the PULSE program, please visit our Serve with Us page.
Also, check out other Stories of Transformation: