What We Did Over The Summer and Advice Going Into The Year
Veda Balte, Co-President
Hello everybody! First of all, thank you for checking out the WLI website. This past summer I got to work at J.P. Morgan as a Corporate Analyst. I had a great time - everyday was a fun challenge & a great opportunity to meet some wonderful, inspiring people.
Now onto some advice:
Pick a moment each day to be fully present and take in your surroundings - what you’re seeing, feeling, smelling, etc. It’s a great way to ground yourself, get out of your head, and appreciate the present moment
There’s something to learn from every person you meet & every experience you have - keep an open mind. A lot of the unexpected interactions were the ones that brought me some of the best things
Have faith in yourself (kind of self explanatory but easy to forget sometimes)
Make an effort to LOVE the things you LOVE! Show your appreciation for the amazing opportunities, people, experiences, and things in your life. Gratitude will make you see the world in a whole new light
Bella DiPalermo, Co-President
I’m Bella, your WLI Co-President. WLI is thrilled to reconnect as well as meet our newbies this fall. This summer I worked within the Department of Transportation focusing on Civil Rights. During this internship, I was given the opportunity to connect with some extremely impressive women which reminded me of all the women this organization contains. Within my spare time this summer I attended a couple of concerts, one of which was the Era’s Tour, led by Taylor Swift who has been a true trailblazer, especially for women, in the music industry.
Going into the semester I encourage you all to make time for self-care. Ultimately, this will allow you to bring your best self into the classroom and extracurricular activities. In addition, do not be afraid to take a leap and try something new. Getting out of your comfort zone can often lead to new opportunities and experiences that you may not even know of yet. Be open and support your peers. You never know where these connections may lead :)
Kate Irwin, Membership Director
Over the summer, I interned at the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, where I learned so much about criminal law and procedure. For fun, I went to baseball games, the zoo, hung out with friends, and tried a lot of new food. Two of my favorite cuisines are Japanese food and Latin food.
Some advice I have for new students this year is to make sure to plan ahead! It helps me so much when I don’t procrastinate and have time to work on all my assignments. Planning ahead helps give me the freedom to know when to relax or go do something fun!
Rhea Serron, Marketing Director
I spent this summer in Chicago interning on the eCommerce Marketing team for SC Johnson! I worked on strategy for famous brands like Ziploc, Glade, and Off!, and learned a lot about consumer packaged goods, which was really fun!
My advice for new students falls into two categories: personal and career. For your personal life, grab a coffee with someone sitting next to you in class during your first week! It’s the best way to make new friends! For your career, don’t let your peers’ timelines influence your journey. Everyone is on a unique path and will end up where they belong. Take your time to explore different roles and talk to people who have done it before you!
Freya Nangle, Events Director
This summer, I assisted on a research project at The Feinstein Institutes Center for Genomics and Human Genetics on the genetics of Absolute Pitch. I also went to Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, tutored for the SAT, and worked at a music camp!
Going into the school year, my biggest piece of advice is to always make time for relaxation and fun. I like to make sure I have at least one fun thing planned every weekend because it helps me get through the week by having something to look forward to, and it ensures my weekend isn’t just taken up completely by studying. Looking forward to a great year with WLI!
Victoria Rivera, Events Director
I spent this past summer as an HR Intern at Barclays in Whippany, NJ. I specifically worked on the HRBP team which connects senior leadership teams outside of HR with key HR strategy and information. I was able to observe the development of a major project affecting all areas of the business and help resolve issues that arose within the teams that my boss partnered with. Although the HRBP team required learning a lot of information in a short period of time, I thoroughly enjoyed the exposure to important data and decision-making processes.
As a senior, I plan to take this year one day at a time and not get dragged down by the little details of the semester. I think everyone should make time to enjoy life outside of classes – homework will always be there waiting for you! I want to take advantage of whatever I still can while a Cornell student and I advise everyone else to do the same.
Ally Leighton, Fundraising Chair
I worked at Proskauer as a legal recruiting intern this past summer. I received legal training and guidance from so many helpful people at the firm.
My advice is to try new things. My favorite classes have been the ones I took for myself to explore an interest further or improve a skill!
Prakriti Tandon, Gala Director
This summer, I worked as a Software Engineering Intern at a Biotechnology company, Pairwise in Durham, NC. It was a great experience that helped me learn the intersection between software engineering and biotechnology. It taught me how to work in a fast-paced work environment in cross-functional teams. I learned the technical and collaboration skills needed to take a project from conception to completion.
Going into this year, I would recommend exploring Cornell’s resources for professional and personal development. The clubs and project teams at Cornell are a great way to meet amazing people and find mentors for your undergraduate and career journey.
Sheza Suleman, Diversity and Inclusion Director
Over the summer I worked in a Neurosurgery lab at Weill Cornell Medicine and shadowed a neurosurgeon. Along with my time in the lab and clinic, I also engaged in research ethics workshops and gained insightful exposure to the many complexities of the medical field.
My advice to you all is to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. Finding out what you don’t like can ultimately lead you to what you do like!!
