When I first started college, I wanted to be involved in everything — from Panhellenic life to the top engineering rocket club. I was determined to grow my skills and become the best version of myself, ready for a career by the time I graduated.
I ended up joining a sorority and getting involved with a few clubs that aligned with my career goals. The best motivation I had was seeing where my hard work could take me. I worked tirelessly during my first year of school — going to career fairs, open forums, and networking events. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing at those events, but I knew I had to get myself out there and start practicing the communication skills I’d need to reach the level of the professionals I looked up to.
When I applied for my first internship, I was beyond excited — even though I didn’t think much would come from it. I was just a freshman, and at that point I had only taken calculus and physics. But then one day, I got an email from the company saying they wanted to interview me. It felt life-changing. It was also terrifying. I had no idea how to talk to professionals in the industry yet, but I reminded myself — I had been preparing for this. I had shown up to events, put myself out there, and practiced speaking with people I admired. That reminder gave me just enough confidence to push through the nerves.
Even though I knew I could do this, I was still scared. This time, though, I came prepared. I gathered all the right information, reviewed my experiences, and went in with the mindset that I could confidently showcase my skills and abilities.
I even rearranged my entire dorm room just for the Zoom interview — trying to make it look like a professional setting. What the interviewer couldn’t see was the pile of video games and my full Squishmallow collection just off camera. It might not have looked perfect behind the scenes, but in that moment, I felt ready.
One of the best things that helped me land that gig wasn’t just practicing my communication skills — it was getting involved. The engineering clubs I had joined ended up being something the company valued greatly. Being able to speak to real projects, collaboration, and leadership outside the classroom gave me an edge I didn’t realize I had.
That first interview with an engineering company as a freshman was a huge moment for me. I went through the process and got an offer to work for three months. It was unpaid, but the experience was invaluable. Not only did it give me my first real engineering experience, but it also fueled my motivation to keep growing — to keep putting myself in uncomfortable situations, because you never know what the outcome might be.
I still remember my first career fair — I stuttered through almost every word and wasn’t even fully prepared with my resume. Since then after completing that internship, I’ve developed better communication and technical skills than I ever thought I’d have. That progress didn’t happen overnight — it came from showing up, being willing to fail, and learning every step of the way.
homegrownambition 