Uzackly site brings new opportunities for social networks

The name Uzackly might sound weird, but there’s a method behind the madness.
The site, that provides a way for students to connect to their campus and fellow classmates, was created in 2008.

“I wanted the name to include the words university and exactly,” Uzackly creator Ilana Sniad said. “In other words, you should find exactly what you need. Whatever you are looking for you should have it.”

Uzackly is free to join and has a social networking component, but much of its appeal derives from its organization and scheduling capabilities.

These include the ability to receive e-mail and text reminders of classes and events, post notes to students who are enrolled in the same class and gain direct contact to internship providers.

Each internship provider is contacted and examined by Sniad.

“I want to make sure that they are not going to have you serve coffee and fold napkins. They are going to give you the experience,” Sniad said.

There are plans to improve the site, but with only two-and-a-half years under its belt, Uzackly is still growing in popularity.

“The Web site has a lot of potential,” Lev Skokin of Baruth College said. “But the people in the school have to spread the word to get the most out of it.”

Sniad was inspired to create the site by the story that a nurse intern shared with her during a stay in intensive care in 2008.

The nurse explained that she dreamed of returning home to Honduras, an impoverished country where she hoped to heal its people. She did cleaning jobs for six hours a day to pay for her education and board. Although the job helped her pay for school, it caused the students to look down on her.

“She couldn’t get notes from the well-off, ivy-league students because she cleaned,” Sniad said.

Touched by the intern’s struggle, Sniad said she was determined to do something for those who had difficulty finding resources.