How I Said ‘Yes’ More, and My Three Tips for New College Students

A few weeks into my first semester at Bentley, I remember sitting in my room wondering if I had made the right decision to leave California. Everything felt unfamiliar, and I hadn't fully settled in.  

I realized I had a choice: I could let that uncertainty hold me back, or I could start putting myself out there. I chose to lean in, and that decision changed everything. 

Majoring in Finance while minoring in History and Law at Bentley gave me a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of the world. In an era increasingly affected by AI and rapid technological change, the ability to think critically, understand context and approach problems from different angles matters more than ever. 

Saying “Yes” Before I Was Ready  

Over the years at Bentley, I started putting myself out there more. I asked more questions, applied for opportunities I wasn’t sure I would get, and reached out to people on LinkedIn even when it felt uncomfortable. 

During my sophomore year, I was selected as one of 12 Bentley students to participate in the annual English Origins of the Law course (LA 145), which explores the relationship between early English history and the American common law system. As part of the program, we traveled to London, where we met with a member of Parliament, attended an English criminal trial and explored the city.  

During my junior year, Bentley sponsored my attendance at the Grace Hopper Celebration, the world’s largest gathering focused on advancing women in technology. Being surrounded by so many driven and accomplished people made me think more intentionally about my career. Through conversations with recruiters and engineers, panels on emerging technologies, and hearing women share their experiences, I started to see how I could combine my interests in business and technology.  

That clarity helped me land my internship on the CFO Strategy, Technology and Innovation team at the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC). I spent the summer in Florida, which is something I never imagined growing up in California. Living and working on the East Coast forced me to step outside my comfort zone and become a more independent version of myself. 

Senior year has been the most rewarding chapter of my college experience, largely because of the people and experiences that shaped it. One example was my involvement in the Undergraduate Women’s Investment Network (UWIN) program at Loomis, Sayles & Company. Launched in 2015 with Bentley as its first partner, the program is designed to build a strong pipeline of talent for the investment management industry through mentorship and hands-on learning. 

Through UWIN, I was matched with my mentor, Bryan Hazelton ’08, who is a portfolio manager at Loomis Sayles and a Bentley alum. Having someone who once sat in the same classrooms as me and is now thriving in his career made that level of success feel within reach. 

From the start, Bryan encouraged me to focus less on following a defined path and more on figuring out what I was genuinely interested in. He met with me every other week, took the time to review my resume, helped me prepare for interviews and introduced me to professionals across different departments. 

One piece of advice Bryan gave me that stuck was to stay humble in what I know and not judge myself for what I don’t. Instead of feeling intimidated, he encouraged me to stay curious and figure things out. That mindset changed how I approach professional conversations. 

None of this would have been possible if I hadn’t pushed myself to take risks and embrace opportunities as they arose. 

Staying Curious and Building a Career 

I continued this growth in my current position at Pryzm, where I work as a data research consultant. An AI-powered command center for federal business development and accelerated acquisitions, the company recently raised over $12 million in seed funding led by Andreessen Horowitz’s American Dynamism Fund. 

In my role, I research and analyze U.S. government organizations while structuring and validating information for the platform. A lot of what I do involves working through ambiguity, cross-checking sources and making sure what I am building is accurate and useful. Through this, I have learned how to navigate complex systems and move forward — even when I don’t have all the answers.  

Being part of a fast-growing startup like Pryzm has shown me firsthand how quickly ideas turn into execution, and how much ownership each person has in shaping the product. There is a constant sense of momentum, where the work you do moves things forward in real time. 

I am excited to carry that mindset into my next step after graduation as an associate technical product manager at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

Three Tips for New College Students 

College can’t be everything for everyone, and that’s okay. Here’s my advice for new students based on what I learned from my four years at Bentley: 

1. Say “yes” before you feel ready. 

   Opportunities are everywhere, but they only matter if you are willing to take them. A lot of my growth came from stepping into things I didn’t feel fully prepared for. I put myself in unfamiliar situations, asked questions as I went and figured it out. There are so many resources at Bentley that make a difference, especially the amazing professors and alumni network that are always willing to help. 

2. Consistency matters more than confidence. 

   There were definitely moments when I felt out of place or wasn’t sure if I really belonged, but I kept showing up anyway. That consistency ended up opening doors I did not even know existed. 

3. Build a path that actually fits you.  

   It is easy to compare yourself to others, especially when it feels like everyone else has a plan. I used to think I needed to follow a certain path, but the moments that developed me most came from trying things that genuinely interested me. Not everything will stick, and that is the point. Each experience helps you figure out what works and what does not work. Over time, those choices start to come together into something that truly feels like your own. 

Throughout college, my family has been my constant, shaping who I am in ways I carry with me every day. I am deeply grateful for them and for God’s guidance along the way. My parents are my best friends, and my brother keeps me grounded in what really matters. That perspective stays with me in everything I do. 

As I look ahead, Bentley University taught me to take chances on myself, even when I was unsure, and to trust that growth comes from stepping into the unknown.