This semester, I eagerly participated in the Gordon Career Center’s FGLI Career Development Series, led by the FGLI Advisory Board and Wesleyan QuestBridge Chapter. As an FGLI student, I was particularly excited about this series because each session covered topics that deeply interested me.
The first event in the series was the “Demystifying Networking for FGLI Students” session. We had the privilege of meeting Aaron Veera, an alum from the Class of 2014, who introduced us to the fundamentals of networking and provided valuable tips on how to excel at it.
The session began with a round of introductions. It was refreshing to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones, reminding me that even on a relatively small campus like Wesleyan, there are always new connections to be made within the FGLI community. Following the introductions, Aaron shared his career journey post-Wesleyan, emphasizing the pivotal role networking played in accessing opportunities he might not have otherwise encountered.
Aaron posed an essential question: “How does one network?” He then introduced us to the concept of an “elevator pitch.” Although I was familiar with the term and had practiced creating my own elevator pitch before with a college prep program in my hometown, this session offered new insights. We listed the necessary qualities of a compelling elevator pitch and then paired up to practice delivering our pitches as if we were speaking to a CEO in an elevator. Despite my prior experience, this exercise highlighted that there is always room for improvement. Crafting a clear, concise pitch on the spot in one minute proved challenging, underscoring the need for continued practice.
After the activity and a brief discussion, Aaron answered our questions and provided additional networking advice. One question that stood out was whether we should mention being FGLI students in our elevator pitches. This was something I had been curious about for a while. Aaron suggested that we mention it only if it was relevant to the conversation, ensuring we didn’t include unnecessary information just for the sake of it. He also advised us to reach out to as many people as possible within a given industry, as this would increase our knowledge and refine our questions over time.
I felt immensely grateful to have the opportunity to interact with an alum who shared a similar background, as well as with peers who were in the same position as current undergraduates. The partner activity was particularly beneficial, providing me with constructive feedback on how to enhance my elevator pitch. Overall, the session was an enriching experience, and I look forward to the next session in the series.
