Next, I talked to alums, seeking advice on starting my career and determining what career path is right for me.  I spoke to two within a short time span, both of whom made very insightful remarks.

The first was a more recent alum, who has worked as a UX and product designer for the last ten years. Having majored in Sociology with a minor in Computer Science, she discovered her passion for UX Design after taking the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) class at Wellesley.  She told me that the design process, which the course structure of Wellesley’s HCI class mimics, was fascinating to her.

She emerged from her semester of HCI with a design for an app that promotes women’s safety in urban spaces, and used that project as evidence of her potential, landing her first job as a UX designer at an advertising firm.

In our conversation, she urged me to really enjoy and make the most out of senior year, rather than spending that time focused on job applications.  As the last year, she told me, it might be the last chance I have with all of my friends in one place.  She advised looking at jobs starting only in the Spring semester, but not to let it take priority over enjoying the last of college.  And when applying, she said, “Don’t be afraid to cold email.”  In her experience, cold emails, daunting as they may seem, can prove to be quite fruitful.

The second alum I spoke with was farther out from her college years, and in the decades since has built a successful career as an investment banker, investor, and board director.  Her career path has brought her from Wellesley to New York, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and finally Singapore, where she is currently based.

Although our professional interests are not the same, she offered sound advice on navigating the job market as a young woman.  Acknowledging that starting one’s career can be difficult, she said that it is important to make the most of any job, always keeping long-term professional goals in mind.

According to her, resilience is the most important trait to develop.  Know in advance that challenges will arise in your work, she told me, and be prepared for tough times.  She recommended finding tools, such as meditation or self care, to help find balance with the stress of work. And, at the end of our conversation, she gave me what may be the most candid and refreshing advice I have received: “Your first job will be shitty.”