In early 2024, I met with Jeremy Serwer through the Gordon Career Center’s WesLink program. Mr. Serwer is a Wesleyan alum from the Class of 1970 and currently works as a Retail Real Estate consultant and broker. He specializes in leasing and dealmaking for brand and designer names that open stores in factory outlet centers across the U.S.
After exchanging friendly introductions, we began our conversation by chatting about Wesleyan and how much it had changed since Mr. Serwer’s graduation. Mr. Serwer was very approachable as he reminisced about his time as fraternity president and shared stories about Wesleyan that I hadn’t known before. He was also generously open about his family background and his journey to Wesleyan. I was grateful for his openness, as I related to his background and felt more comfortable during our conversation.
I asked Mr. Serwer about how his experience at Wesleyan helped him find a job after graduation. He mentioned that Wesleyan taught him two very valuable lessons: how to write and how to communicate effectively. He emphasized the importance of not just the knowledge from classes but also the skills developed through a liberal arts education. Mr. Serwer knew how to write in five different languages as a French major and Russian minor. I mentioned my similar passion for learning languages as a College of East Asian Studies major. He advised me to leverage my language skills when applying for jobs, noting that proficiency in multiple languages is a rare and valuable trait.
Since his major is not directly related to his industry, I asked him how he navigated his career after Wesleyan. He advised taking a break after graduation before entering the workforce. Following his break, he self-taught business administration and over seven and a half years, progressed from a minimum wage retail job to regional manager of 35 stores across the country. Listening to his story and the challenges he overcame to achieve success, I admired his hard work and respected his humility. His story inspired me to pursue my own path with determination.
I expressed my anxiety about the future, especially post-graduation, as I do not come from a privileged position with many pre-existing connections. Mr. Serwer was very encouraging and reassured me that he was once in the same position. He provided practical tips on saving money and emphasized the importance of balancing hard work with enjoying life. His encouragement and advice helped alleviate some of my worries about the future.
Speaking with Mr. Serwer was a heartwarming and enlightening experience. He gave me reassurance and determination to face my future challenges. Our conversation was a gentle reminder not to worry too much about what lies ahead and to focus on doing my best in the present moment. I am grateful for the opportunity to talk with Mr. Serwer and hope to keep in touch with him in the future.
