WORDS OF WISDOM FROM STERN SENIORS ‘24
BY ELENA HUANG
A Guide for Undergraduate Stern Women in Business
As you embark on your undergraduate journey at Stern, it's only natural to feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. The path ahead is filled with opportunities, choices, and challenges. But fear not, for you have a treasure trove of insights from Stern seniors who have traveled the same road.
Below, Clea Loci, Cristina Diaz, Flavia Carcani, Deepti Shankar, Renee Revilla, and I share our words of wisdom to help you navigate the waters of being a woman in Stern.
Clea
Finance & Marketing, Minor in Media, Culture, & Communications
Make the most of your time at Stern and take advantage of the opportunities around you! Definitely study abroad - this was such an amazing experience to travel and learn about business in different parts of the world. Also, make the most of attending a university with such great professors - go to their office hours and chat about anything that interests you about their class, they’re more than happy to expand on your ideas.
CRISTINA
Marketing & Global Business
My biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of being in a stage of our life where there is such a large concentration of smart people our age around us at all times. By this, I mean make as many friends as possible while in Stern and not being afraid to smile or say hi to someone on the plaza or in the halls that you recognize from a class or club or party. I have had so many great friendships form over the span of a few months where it started off as smiling at a person I recognized, without even knowing their name. Having such a vast network has made it easier to stay motivated, have support, make my every day more fun, and guarantee that I will always know at least one person in every new class.
FLAVIA
Finance & Management
I know it’s hard not to follow the pack, but during your time at Stern, I encourage you to explore your interests and discover your strengths. Don’t let pressure from your peers prevent you from finding what you excel at and what you genuinely enjoy doing because ultimately, there’s a reason that cats meow and dogs bark.
DEEPTI
Take the time in college to explore as many different topics as you can! You can always learn career-relevant skills on the job, so don't be afraid to sign up for that photography class or that dance club, and you won't regret it! It's such a great way to find the things you love to do and have a fun time:)
RENEE
Finance & Marketing, Minors in Computer Sciences & Math
The best way to make use of the resources we have at Stern is to make friends with people who are all individually in different clubs and friend groups in order to learn the most about what Stern has to offer. You don’t have to be a part of every club, but don’t be afraid to sit in on different club meetings with your friends and socialize with the club’s E-Board members in order to learn more about different fields of business you would have never thought of originally entering!
ELENA
Finance & Marketing, Minor in Dance
Make the most your Stern Experience. By this, I mean- seize the opportunity to enroll in courses that pique your interests, both within and outside Stern. Some of my favorite classes in outside of Stern have been my hip hop dance class, Love Actually, and Introduction to Galleries and Museums. Even within Stern, I urge you to take classes outside of your concentrations. You never know where you will discover a passion or make lifelong friends!
Furthermore, optimize your NYU experience by saying yes to new experiences. Try out the cool restaurant you see on Tik Tok! Go to the Broadway show! You go to a school uniquely positioned in one of the greatest cities in the world - take advantage of this. And definitely study abroad if you can.
Lastly, do not blindly follow the herd, especially when it comes to choosing an internship or making important career choices. There are so many interesting positions out there that you may not know even exist. If you meet someone with experience in a field you find remotely interesting, I encourage you to ask them questions or even schedule a coffee chat! Stern is a welcoming community, and upperclassmen and even alumni are always willing to share their experiences. Embracing all the diverse opportunities and experiences that NYU and Stern have to offer will not only enrich your education but also lead to a more fulfilling and rewarding journey throughout your time here.
