1st Cena a las 6

Context: Navigating untraditional career paths and the absence of a fixed trajectory

• The speaker highlights that pursuing human rights or other non-traditional fields can lack a clear, official path or formula, which can feel guidance-scarce during a meeting about suspending study abroad. This uncertainty is framed as a common experience rather than an exception.

• Emphasis on the reality that there isn’t a single roadmap, so students often need to cobble together guidance from multiple sources and personal exploration.

Key Resources and how to leverage them

• Office of Career Services (OCS) and the Summer Peer List

  • OCS publishes a yearly Summer Peer List listing what students in higher years did over the summer (internships, research opportunities, etc.).

  • The list includes contact information, enabling students to reach out to peers who did things they’re interested in or places they want to explore.

• Chaplain’s Office and mindfulness practices

  • The speaker’s stance: not religious (atheist) but values meditation and finds the Buddhist chaplain Sumi’s shrine space at the base of darkness a beautiful meditation environment.

  • Recommendation: try meditating, even if you are not drawn to it, because it can be beneficial.

• ISA and SCA fellowships and study abroad funding

  • Advice: use the ISA and SCA fellowships when studying abroad; they are commonly available and widely used.

  • When considering study abroad, seek out fellowships and funding rather than avoiding opportunities due to cost concerns.

• General funding pathways and internal university resources

  • There are numerous money resources (fellowships, program funds) accessible through deans and the head of college (HOG).

  • The “fellowship website” is a helpful starting point but can be overwhelming; do not be discouraged by the volume of information.

  • If you have an opportunity, you can often justify asking for funding by presenting a concrete plan or need (e.g., a proposal for a project or program).

• Real-world example: turning money into opportunity

  • If you have an idea or a plan (a fellowship, a new program), you can approach your dean and head of college to secure funding.

Funding, money, and practical considerations on campus

• Cottage funds and disparities

  • Some cottages have more money than others; older cottages tend to have more funds lying unused.

  • A simple email to the appropriate administrator (e.g., Hog/Head of College) with a clear purpose can unlock money for opportunities.

• Strategy for securing funds

  • If funds are needed for an opportunity, start with a concrete plan (a fellowship, a program, or project).

  • Use available university channels and emphasize the purpose and impact of the opportunity.

• Personal budgeting and disposable income

  • The speaker emphasizes having some disposable income (e.g., around 100) to manage weekly needs and resilience.

  • It’s acceptable to save or spend as needed, but having some personal funds can aid independence.

On-campus employment: structure, flexibility, and options

• Personal experience with multiple jobs

  • The speaker held 4 on-campus jobs in the previous year, underscoring a highly active work schedule.

• Key hiring principles

  • Prioritize roles with flexible time commitments that can adapt to academic workload.

  • Flexibility examples include: choosing hours, working as little as one hour in a week or as many as five hours, depending on demand.

• Specific job types and examples

  • Office of Career Services (OCS) receptionists: sit at the reception desk, respond to phone calls, open doors, and can do homework during lulls.

  • Library jobs: similar flexible, on-site options.

  • Language tutoring or tutoring on campus: one-on-one meetings with tutees or drop-in hours, highly flexible and schedule-friendly.

  • Other campus roles: any position that aligns with your schedule and workload balance.

• Key takeaway: seek roles that offer scheduling flexibility to maintain academics and well-being while earning income.

• Personal motivation for work

  • A primary reason for seeking jobs early on was to gain independence and establish a disposable income, especially when considering family financial dynamics.

• Practical example: scheduling and workload management

  • If you have exams or a heavy week, you can scale back work obligations to protect performance and mental health.

Time management, boundaries, and evolving priorities

• Balancing commitments

  • The speaker notes the importance of prioritizing time for meals, sleep, and personal time, and acknowledges that over-scheduling can lead to burnout.

  • A cautionary lesson: do not allow calendar craziness to erase basic self-care; it’s easy to fill every slot, leaving no room for rest.

• How priorities shift over time

  • Year-to-year shifts in priorities are normal; what mattered in the first year (clubs, socializing, coursework) may shift to more advanced commitments later (sharing knowledge, mentoring, leadership).

• Senior-year focus and reflection

  • The speaker emphasizes a shift toward sharing experiences and knowledge with others, rather than accumulating more commitments for personal gain.

• Personal practice: block and check-in

  • The speaker suggests blocking time for self-check-ins and personal needs, while also recognizing the need to adapt as life changes.

Academic experiences and their impact on identity and leadership

• Writing from the Archive: an influential course

  • Professor Adena Hoffman conducted a class titled Writing from the Archive, described as transformative and a standout experience.

• Personal identity and community engagement: Dominican heritage

  • The speaker identifies as Dominican and immigrant from the Bronx; notes Yale’s relatively small Dominican representation and emphasizes using Yale’s platform to effects beyond campus.

• La Casa and community impact

  • The speaker and collaborators (Carla and Alec) helped rebuild and energize La Casa post-COVID (class of 04/22 era).

  • Phase 1: restoring space and energy in a post-COVID context; solidifying the community as students returned to campus.

  • Phase 2: initiatives like service trips to the ER and organizing a conference, demonstrating a pathway from student engagement to broader impact.

• Relationship between study or research and personal focus

  • The speaker notes that some of what they study or write about aligns with their Dominican identity, such as topics for their thesis, underscoring how personal background can inform scholarship.

• Community and mentorship through La Casa

  • The speaker attributes importance to having a platform and resources to give back, mentoring newer students, and collaborating with peers to build a supportive community.

Reflections on university life, capitalism, and the role of Yale

• The university as a protective space

  • Yale is described as a buffer against the fast-paced demands of a capitalist society; it offers protection and time to explore personal and intellectual growth.

• Entering the broader world post-Yale

  • There is a recognition that the world beyond Yale will demand productivity and adaptation; the speaker encourages using Yale to prepare for those realities thoughtfully.

• Balance between exploration and pragmatism

  • There’s an emphasis on exploring interests without overemphasizing pre-professional programming; the value of pursuing what you enjoy can still translate into future practicality.

Practical guidance for students: takeaways and approaches

• Do not rush a fixed career narrative; allow exploration through available resources and experiences.

• Use peer networks (like the Summer Peer List) to identify potential opportunities and mentors.

• Leverage campus funding channels with concrete plans and proposals; don’t hesitate to ask for support.

• Prioritize flexible work opportunities to manage academic loads and personal well-being.

• Maintain self-care and boundaries to prevent burnout; calendar planning should not erase meals, sleep, and downtime.

• Consider how personal identity and community involvement can shape academic and career trajectories, including pursuing thesis topics or service projects that reflect your background.

• Recognize the value of transformative courses and mentorship (e.g., Writing from the Archive) in shaping future directions.

• When in doubt, relax the pace: it’s okay to take time to explore, reflect, and gradually chart a path.

Final reflections and open invitation

• The speaker invites further questions and emphasizes the accessibility of La Casa as a resource for guidance and community.

• The overall message is one of gratitude for Yale’s opportunities, with a focus on using those opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow as a person preparing for a world with evolving demands.