This summer was quite the journey! I recently concluded my ABP Summer Analyst position in the J.P. Morgan Corporate & Investment Bank, and I am immensely grateful for the connections, realizations, and confirmations uncovered/reinforced. Fast forward to this weekend, I flew out to visit the wonderful University of Maryland at the Fall ABTS conference to discuss Undergraduate Student Government at The Ohio State University iniatives alongside President Bobby Mcalpine and Vice President Madison Mason, as well as hear from all student governments within the Big Ten association. While there, I aided in presenting on the facets of our programs and overviewed my position as Senior Research Counselor, a newly minted role which leads policy research through quantitative and qualitative methods. Additionally, I was able to participate in roundtable discussions about mental health and student engagement.
During these past 8 weeks, I learned several key lessons about the workforce, higher education, and community building that I’d love to share as I continue my journey in the corporate sector and someday further my education.
1. As students, we hear about diversity, equity, and inclusion through our institutions, but it is especially an integral part of thriving businesses in this modern economy. Moreover, it’s an integral part of thriving business leaders. If it doesn’t start at the top, don’t expect it to trickle to the bottom. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t start small and dream big — every person has an initiative they can lead to build up the world. What will be yours?
2. To say networking is a critical skill is not doing it justice; though we strive for meritocracies in our society, that single connection you make with someone can be the difference between moving vertically, laterally, or not at all. However, it is vital we keep these interactions organic; let us not look at someone as a resource or title but instead as one whose life experiences can help shape your own. This was especially crucial in fostering relationships across ABTS ; learning from students was a pleasure to see the improvements our university can make.
3. If you want to start an initiative — professional, social, organizational and so forth — the best time to start it is now so long as it’s within your power to do so. Involvement should be correlated with evolvement; if we are a part of something, let’s start making the change today.
Thank you to all who made this eventful summer possible, and here are some pictures to commemorate this wonderful journey.
#gobucks
Investor Relations l The Carlyle Group
2wgood stuff!!