2022 LSU Gumbo - Book - Page 149
Students spend an average of six years in college,
a short period of time in the grand scheme of life. As
students approach graduation, many look back on
college and wonder where all the time went. But even
when students leave the university, they will always
remain a part of the Tiger family.
This fact has become clear to me in my last semester
of college. I have recently begun my job search,
as I will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mass
communication in just a few months.
I am moving to the Big Apple in May, but I have
only ever been to New York City once when I was 14. I
loved the city, but I don’t remember much about it. My
family is from Georgia, and I’m the only person I know
who wants to live in New York.
Two months ago, I was completely lost on how to
make my dream of moving to New York City a reality.
Searching for guidance, I posted on a Facebook
group for LSU alumni living in New York City,
explaining that I am graduating in May and would
appreciate any advice for moving to the big city and
launching my career.
The amount of help that alumni offered was
excitingly overwhelming.
I had multiple alumni who went out of their way to
reach out to me and connect me with different career
opportunities. Fifteen to 20 alumni in New York City
alone have contacted me and tried to help.
I have continued to speak to several of them—some
recent graduates, some who graduated over 30 years
ago. I have yet to run into alumni from the university
who are unwilling to help.
Many alumni who helped me said they also had
alumni help them as they began their lives postgraduation. It is a beautiful cycle of those from the
university community investing in one another’s
success.
New York-based alumni have offered me an
enormous amount of help, but they are still only a
tiny portion of the alumni assistance I have received
throughout my time at the university. Without the
generosity of alumni donations toward student
scholarships, I would not even be graduating this May.
Throughout it all, I have learned how grateful I am
to be a Tiger. Being an LSU Tiger provides another
family, with members all over the country and world.
As I graduate and continue with my career, I am
determined to someday impact future LSU students
the way alumni have impacted me.
Photos by Savanna Orgeron & Chynna McClinton
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