Joshua, a Class of 2020 SSP alumnus and current sophomore at Cornell University, spoke with us about his journey, plans for his future, and advice for fellow SSP students.
He is majoring in Applied Economics and Management and minoring in History at Cornell, and he is Vice President of Operations of the Cornell Finance Club and Vice President of Education at BlackGen Capital, the first investment fund at Cornell dedicated to closing the access gap for Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous students.
With internship plans for summer 2022 and 2023, Joshua detailed a goal-oriented career path and the support and resources he has had along the way. Ish McLaughlin, SSP Board Member, has been a mentor to Joshua throughout high school and to this day. Joshua noted that Ish helped him move into his college dorm on his first day, that they talk every week, and that Ish is even coming to visit him at Cornell in May. They worked through the college application process together, with Ish editing his essays and taking him on college tours. Joshua learned that the best way to be a mentee is to “be curious.” He said, “be interested in your mentor, update them on how your life is going every now and then . . . it will serve you in the long run.”
Joshua’s mentorship through SSP is not limited to his assigned mentor. He has connected with other mentors and board members as he explored internship opportunities and for informational interviews to learn more about his career goal of becoming an investment banker.
From mentorship to resources, Joshua emphasized the “extensive support” he received from SSP. As a Peter M. Flanigan Scholar, he also expressed the gratitude he feels for having the financial support he needs through college. He recommended that current SSP students heed his advice for the transition to college: “map out your first year in college — make sure you meet your distribution requirements.” He said, “meet with your academic advisor ahead of time . . .” stressing the need to utilize resources available wherever you are. He said that doing well in school, getting involved in extracurriculars, and developing meaningful relationships through high school helped put him on track for a profound and successful college experience.
Due to the influence of his mentors, he learned the importance of giving back. A phrase he recalls hearing is “pay it back forward,” which Joshua says has stuck with him. Each day, he wakes up with gratitude: “I am to pay it back forward, even if it’s as simple as helping an underclassman with coursework . . .” Joshua says he is looking forward to the day he graduates college and becomes an SSP mentor himself.
