Graduation from Yale can only be described as bittersweet. After years of hard work, residential college traditions, late-night runs to G-Heav, extracurricular commitments, and general growing pains, it’s both exciting and saddening to leave our gorgeous campus. After taking a year-long leave of absence to sing and travel with the Whiffenpoofs, I graduated a semester early and currently find myself working in Manhattan. The Big Apple is fast-paced, exciting, everything I thought it would be and more! That said, my deep appreciation for the undergraduate experience at Yale has only further grown now that I’m out in the “real world”.
My beautiful home while at Yale, Timothy Dwight College
Yale truly prepares you for life beyond its wrought-iron gates and neo-Gothic architecture. Sure, there are plenty of times when I find my academic work as an undergraduate tying into my new job. But I’m talking about a slightly different kind of preparation: the adult and life skills that I absorbed in my years on campus by virtue of simply being an engaged Yalie. I won’t make the claim that such teachings are unique to Yale College. Fantastic undergraduate institutions all around the world are preparing their graduates for adulthood. What I do know though is that each and every aspect of my Yale experience has positively contributed to my transition to a new city, a new job, and a new sense of individuality.
Here are a few of the many things that I’m very glad I learned while at Yale:
Strong Writing: People always say that strong writing skills are vital for general life success, and I couldn’t agree more. Whatever you do, you’ll be expected to write clearly and concisely – at times with flair and pizzazz. Whether it was writing a paper each week in ENGL 120, composing publicity materials while working for the Admissions Office, or negotiating contracts via email with potential tour clients for the Yale Alley Cats, Yale collectively was an ongoing opportunity for me to develop strong writing skills. Even when I wasn’t intentionally working on my writing, Yale constantly pushed me to become a better writer. When it came time to find an apartment, write reports for work, and network with industry members, the strength of the writing culture at Yale really came to my aid…and gave me a sense of confidence about my work too!
Taking Initiative: At times, Yale is an overwhelming place. With a seemingly endless array of opportunities alongside an entire campus filled with brilliant and hard-working students (not to mention kind and compassionate), it would have been very easy to slip away into anonymity. However, living in such an intense and exciting environment really necessitates taking initiative and making the most of any and all opportunities. Be it selecting a Senior Essay advisor, searching for an on-campus job, or navigating through the undergraduate extracurricular scene, Yale really pushes you to be proactive in carving your own path, reaching out to community members and tapping into Yale’s incredible faculty and student body. In an environment like New York City, notorious for its overwhelming nature, years of taking initiative at Yale have really allowed me to feel comfortable in the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.
Collaboration: One of the things I enjoyed the most about Yale was the extremely helpful and collaborative environment. Regardless of what you’re doing at Yale, there’s an emphasis on teamwork and collective progress. Yalies really understand that for you to succeed, other people don’t have to fail. It’s not about getting ahead, it’s about working with your peers to learn and grow together. My time as a student at Yale taught me how to effectively work with those around me, showing me the long-term benefits of being genuinely kind and helpful. Although I’ve only been at my new office for a few weeks, I’m already seeing my absorption of this collaborative spirit pay off.
The Network: The beauty of going to a school like Yale is that even when you graduate, your identity as a Yalie will forever remain a part of you. As the door on your undergraduate years closes, another opens to the enormous (and global) alumni community – an incredible network of people who all loved their time as students in the Elm City and want to give back to fellow Bulldogs! Not only did I find my current job through the help of Yale alumnus, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that a few other Yalies also worked at my office! I’ve worn Yale t-shirts to the gym and been approached by several Yale grads (even a fellow TD-er!), some of whom offered to take me out to dinner as a NYC welcome. Here I am, three weeks out of undergrad, already getting social and professional advice from alumni in the Yale network. While I certainly miss my undergraduate years dearly, it’s really nice knowing that my connection to Yale will continue to exist (and benefit me) as I ease into adulthood.
Amidst the fanfare of May Commencement, every graduating senior is given a small booklet entitled “Life After Yale,” with tips and tricks for getting up on your feet out in the real world. The funny thing is, four years at Yale inherently ingrains these life tips into your mind – whether you realize it or not! They truly are, Bright College Years.