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What’s one connection, experience, or opportunity you had in college that ended up having a lasting impact on your career path, and what did you learn from it?

I’m curious how experiences or connections have influenced others in their careers or personal growth.

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Michelle’s Answer

Great question, Ivan! One experience that helped with the career path I am now on was becoming an RA (Resident Assistant) in the resident halls of the university I attended. Becoming an RA provided me with many learned skills; group work, problem solving, priority management, presenting, documentation...I could go on! Not only did I gain many new skills, but it also opened doors later on and I was able to get another job on campus with our student office. I was then able to join student boards to help with different initiatives around the campus. I highly recommend looking into the different student clubs or jobs on campus to help gain confidence for your future career - you might find connections or similarities of work that you would like to do in the future!
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Joshua’s Answer

Hi Ivan, this is a great question. So glad you asked. My personal experience that had a lasting impact might not be exactly what you expect, but it's an easy one to share. Dropping out because I got a new job that I thought paid enough. Of course, it wasn't, and it was 10 years before I made it back. Few things I regret as little as that. Always keep improving your status and making yourself competitive. Even if you're not doing it formally through education, you still have to keep at it. Align some portion of it to being career related. It's a lifelong thing. Few people these days get to retire early. You'll never know what's going to happen next and it's best to be prepared.
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Austin’s Answer

I have two different stories that I believe are connected:

1.
I joined a campus organization early on and stepped into a leadership role. This boosted my confidence and made me feel ready to tackle bigger challenges. It also introduced me to others who shared the same drive and ambition.

2.
During my sophomore year, I had an instructor I didn't really like. But in my senior year, I had them again in a smaller class. This allowed me to get to know them better, and they became one of my favorite instructors. It turns out the sophomore class wasn't his favorite to teach, but the senior class was his passion. Eventually, he became my graduate advisor, which launched my career and shaped my future.

In the end, pushing yourself and connecting with others who share your goals is more valuable than any grade or assignment in school.
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Cayleigh’s Answer

One of the most rewarding experiences I had in college was studying abroad in Germany for six weeks in a program with students from 15 different countries. We stayed together in a hostel, taking part in business and language courses. I strongly encourage anyone in school to explore study abroad programs, regardless of their major. There are usually scholarships available to help with costs, and financial aid often covers the course credits. This experience not only looks impressive on a resume but also offers valuable networking opportunities and exposure to diverse cultures.

Additionally, make sure to connect with your college career advisor. Regularly checking in and building a good relationship with them can be incredibly beneficial when it’s time to find internships or get letters of recommendation. My career advisor played a crucial role in helping me secure my first internship and offered insights into which opportunities were the most valuable, ultimately leading to my first job after college.

Get involved in as many college events related to your field of study as possible. These events are great for making connections in your industry before you graduate. Wishing you the very best in your career journey!
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Reetika’s Answer

Hi, thank you for your question. It is indeed a very thoughtful one. I believe multiple experiences; interactions & connections influence one's career path. I am happy to share one the main experiences I had that made me realize I want to pursue a career in marketing was being part of an event at university where I connected with the people behind the scenes that made the event possible. It was not only hard work but fun & enjoyable. So I started becoming part of more events and went the marketing route. I hope this helps.
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Javier’s Answer

This is a great question that has really made me reflect back on my time in school. I think one of the biggest advantages I had was my connection to my accounting professor. I got along great with her and she opened many doors for me, she actually connected me with my first internship which bloomed into a fruitful career. I recommend getting to know your professors, they are a valuable resource outside of the classroom.
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Tina’s Answer

One of the most powerful lessons I've learned is from failure. Often, the fear of failing can hold us back. I was getting ready to take a test in a business field where I felt sure of myself. But I didn't pass, and it left me shocked and upset. It took a while to sort through my feelings, but the key part of this experience was how I chose to move forward and not let it defeat me. I adjusted my study plan to better fit the topics and retook the test a few months later. Thankfully, I passed! We might face failure in many parts of life, but it's how we rise again that truly matters.
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Kathryn’s Answer

The best college experience I had truly changed my life. In my first Finance class, the instructor introduced the stock market and the fundamentals of investing. One of our assignments was to set up a mock investment portfolio—but my interest in the subject was so strong that I went a step further and opened a real account, investing my own money.

That hands-on experience sparked a deep passion for investing, real estate, and generating passive income. After just one year, my investments earned me enough to purchase my first home—an opportunity that aligned perfectly with my next class: Real Estate Finance.

This experience highlighted the value of real-world learning through education and helped me discover the subjects I was truly passionate about.

Good luck in your future endeavors—opportunities are endless and only limited by your desire to pursue them.
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Meredith’s Answer

While I was in college, I was a business and accounting major but really unsure of exactly what I wanted to do. In my junior year, I decided to get started on my work experience and by talking about my desires with my personal network I learned that my friend's dad was hiring for a position at a regional bank which I applied for and was hired. Through my friend network I was able to gain real-life work experience and even expand my network at that job which changed the entire course of my career.
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Jacob’s Answer

Thank you for you question! There was an experience in college that lead me to where I am today! I was an accounting major in college, and about half way through I began to take computer programming electives. I loved programming so much that I was heavily conflicted about what jobs I should pursue outside of college. Should I still go into tax, or auditing etc.? or should I go into a more developer role? This was really bothering me until one day a company came into my tax accounting classroom informing us that they had a part of the firm that did tax technology, which I had never heard of. As they were presenting, I realized THIS was the answer to my questions about what career I should pursue. The best part is that I would get to use my accounting and programming skills after college! I have never regretted the path I chose that day, and I have created many additional connections and had many great experiences since then.
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Nixon’s Answer

Hi there!

Here are a few tips from my time as an Information Systems major in college:

1. Talk to your professors about your interests and career plans. This can open doors to internships and work-study jobs.

2. Get involved by asking questions about lectures and important topics.

3. Build your network by chatting with your guidance counselor and going to job fairs and events on campus.
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Hadia’s Answer

Hello! Here is an experience I'd like to share. I wasn’t initially interested in the accounting industry, but during the second-to-last semester of college, I attended a career fair that ended up changing my path. I spent a lot of time genuinely talking with professionals from a specific accounting firm—not because I was looking for a job there, but because I enjoyed the conversation. They encouraged me to apply for a position within their risk compliance team that aligned with my major.

Even though I had never planned to go the accounting firm route, I applied simply because of the positive experience I had speaking with them. To my surprise, I got an interview and a job offer before I even graduated, which felt like a dream come true.

Now, two years into my career in the accounting industry, I’m doing something I never imagined myself pursuing—and really enjoying it. The biggest lesson I learned is not to be afraid to explore new opportunities and step outside of your original plans. You never know where a conversation or experience might lead.
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Chelsea’s Answer

One experience that really changed my career was going to college networking events and joining volunteer programs to meet lots of people. By doing this, I met amazing individuals, learned about new career options, and found opportunities I never knew existed. It showed me that actively making connections is one of the best things you can do in college. These connections can lead to personal growth, valuable advice, and open doors you never expected.
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