By: Joshua Brown
Mount St. Michael Academy '22
The college process is challenging, and if there are many unknowns, preparing for it can be extra hard. Participating in SSP college readiness events, including the recent College and Career Panel with Tradeweb and Speed Interviewing Session with Ardian, has allowed me to gain insight into the many aspects of this process. From tips on networking as a student and nailing interviews to choosing a career you are passionate about, my peers and I got a chance to see the college process from a new perspective.
Heading into these events, I was curious about the different experiences of those who have gone through the college process. In the College and Career Panel, my peers and I met professionals with a range of career journeys and roles and were able to learn about each person’s path to get to where they are. This insight reassured me, showing me that everyone has their own journey. This gave me a positive outlook in approaching this process.
Alongside learning about careers, we also focused on the importance of mental health. Through this demanding process, many students become stressed and compare themselves to others, thus not maintaining good mental health. In this event, we learned the importance of self-growth. With these learnings in mind, preparing for college became less stressful. During this event, networking as a student and its importance to my future was explained. Creating bonds and sharing your interests with others allows you to drive a connection, which leads to opportunities. This knowledge led me to try and make connections as I approach my college process.
In the Speed Interviewing Session with Ardian, I learned how to improve my elevator pitch, perfecting how I describe myself as a person, my passions, and my goals. Gaining this new skill allowed me to explain what makes me special and rid of any nervousness that comes with interviewing. In interviews, it’s easy to become nervous and not answer the questions presented to you. In this event, we learned the importance of having confidence in yourself, making it easier not to lose track of what you’re talking about due to nervousness. Another thing we learned about when perfecting interviews is always having questions to show engagement and interest to your interviewer. Questions lead to more involvement and make the conversation two-sided. After learning these skills, I felt more confident going into interviews, leading me to apply to more scholarships and opportunities without the fear of potential interviews.
All in all, attending these college readiness events helped me believe in myself and my ability to achieve excellence. I can now approach any challenge in this college process, including interviews. The feeling of stress I first had with the college process has lessened. Through all the different experiences and tips, I’m confident in my abilities to push myself and strive for more in life.
