My Transition: High School to UMass

By: Lara Pereira 

College is greatly different from high school. As a first-generation college student, everything is a new experience. I did not know what to expect when coming to UMass, but the transition has been much better than I expected. In High School, the schedule is laid out for you. We attend class, lunch, club meetings, and sports practices at the same time every day. We are stuck in a schedule that is made for us using a standardized system. College on the other hand is the complete opposite of this.

I did not expect to have as much free time as I do. It is almost shocking how much time I have every day to do what I’d like, yet somehow it still feels so short. In High School, the days dragged, but in college, the time flies and you don’t even realize how much time has passed until you notice. Luckily, my schedule is spread out enough that I have had the opportunity to take time to myself. I even developed a workout schedule, which is something I did not do in High School. I also have time for clubs and time to study after class so I can enjoy the night to relax or hang out with friends.

The workload was also a major transition. High School seemed to be a lot of work, but it is drastically different from college. College is very fast-paced, so you have no option but to keep up with the pace and not fall behind. Luckily, I have been managing my time well. I was always a big planner in High School, so I have been adopting my organizational skills from there.

Socializing is also very different than before, specifically in classes. In High School, I knew everyone in my classes for the most part, but not everyone in my school because it was a very big high school. But now, I am on a large campus where I have very little connections with my classmates. However, I have been able to make new friends at clubs and around where I live. College is overall a never-ending camp where I get to see my friends everyday, but instead of following a schedule, I make my own.

Coming to college is a major transformation and a big routine changer. But with the right people, mindset, and goals, it is conquerable and everything begins to fall into place. There have been bumps here and there (mental breakdowns, Google Maps not loading, not finding a table at Berk, etc.) but they are part of the growing and learning process which luckily never ends. I am grateful to be part of clubs and a living community where I can relate to others and be able to share my voice.



Lindsey Guenther: Outside of the Box Internship

Lindsey Guenther, our Community Service Co-Director, spoke to our general body about her internship at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. During her time in Germany, she was a Human Resources Intern where she created a professional development program for other interns. During her internship, Lindsey learned many soft skills such as public speaking, networking, leadership, and responsibility.

Lindsey’s Tips and Recommendations: 

  1. Study Abroad or consider applying for an international internships if you like to travel, undergrad is the best time! 

  • Start looking early

  • Explore different industries that excite you

  • Think outside the box and try something new

Lindsey also gave places to start looking for these opportunities. Existing programs include:

  • Worldinternships.org

  • Goabroad.com

  • CIEE.org

Other good resources to search for open positions are:

  • Company websites

  • Indeed

  • Glassdoor

  • linkedIn

  • Monster

  • Isenbergworks and Handshake

    2. Don’t let fear hold you back! Have the confidence to take risks and be independent.

3. Prepare

A lot goes into studying or interning abroad. Keep in mind you need a passport, international health insurance, flights, etc. It is also wise to pack lightly and correctly depending on the climate where you are going abroad. You will most likely end up buying clothes there! Another thing we don’t think about is cell phones. You need to purchase an international cell phone plan or know there will be wifi available. Last but not least, research the culture of the local citizens and community you will be living in.

Final Tips: Why Study or Intern Abroad?

  1. Learn about yourself

  2. Gain independence

  3. Discover the world


Please feel free to reach out to Lindsey if you have any questions about studying or interning abroad at lguenther@umass.edu.

The Best Fall Activities: Amherst Edition

By Callie MacPherson

It’s officially spooky season out here in Amherst! Everyone has their favorite fall activity at home, whether it be apple picking with friends or hiking through the fall foliage. I am here to help you make the most of your fall season here on campus with all of the best activities to do around Amherst.

Amherst can be absolutely breath-taking, and now is the prime time to experience all of the fall foliage. If you want to feel one with nature, I recommend renting bikes with a group of friends--valley share electric bikes are so much fun--or taking a nice jog through the bike trail in Amherst. It surprises me how many people are unaware of this beautiful path! This is a great way to stay active on the weekends and experience the crisp fall air. The bike trail is about one mile from campus, right past the plaza with CVS and the Big Y. If you want to immerse yourself even more in nature this fall, grab some friends and head over to Mount Holyoke State park. It is only about a 10-15 minute drive from campus and a great hiking experience. You will not want to miss out on the view of campus surrounded by all the fall foliage.

If hiking and biking isn’t your ideal “fun fall day”, I have some more suggestions! You could take a drive to one of the many pick your own apple orchards in the area. I suggest doing your research beforehand because only a few orchards offer the warm and delicious apple cider donuts--I suggest Apex orchards in Shelbourne. You could also walk downtown to Glazed Doughnut Shop for some of the best apple cider donuts only 5 minutes from campus. Pro tip: ask for them warmed up! 

If you and a couple friends want to switch up your usual weekend routines, take a drive or a Peter Pan bus to Six Flags! Fright Fest is the best way to get into the spooky spirit, also while going on some of the best rides in New England. 

I definitely recommend making an effort to get off campus and enjoy the fall season before it’s too late. Sooner than later, we will be snowed in for the long winter months!



Pushing Through those Mid-Semester Blues 

By: Payton Wright

Every college student has fallen victim to a case of the Sunday Scaries at some point, most more than once. Once the initial back-to-campus excitement and energy settles down it can be difficult to stay motivated. Exams are starting, assignment deadlines are coming up faster than you can keep track of, you’re stressed, tired, and probably starting to get home sick. With Columbus Day right around the corner, I am here to give you some tips to reenergize and refocus, so you can get back on track to ace this semester.

The first step I always take to “getting my life together” is sitting down in a quiet, comfortable place.  Whether it’s your bed, desk, favorite floor of DuBois or the Isenberg Hub – just make sure the distractions are minimal. Take out your planner, update/add assignments, quizzes, and exams. Then, prioritize, so you have a better idea of what needs to be done immediately, and what you can worry about later. Visually seeing what needs to be done can help simplify the information and pinpoint your focus on the top priority.

I’ll admit, that step can make you feel even more overwhelmed than before when you see all the upcoming assignments you have to complete. That’s okay. Step away from the planner. Get some fresh air, a good workout in, watch an episode of your favorite show, or talk to a friend.  Whatever you need to do to come back with a clear mind. 

Now how the next step goes is up to you, you can allow yourself to become overwhelmed and welcome the negative thoughts of “it’s impossible” or “I’ll never get all this done” to take over OR you can make the conscious decision to turn those thoughts into positive, attainable affirmations. You are more than capable of whatever equation, writing prompt, or study guide is staring back at you. It is all a matter of initiative, focus, and maybe a little will power.

Personally, I have begun to try and find the excitement in everything I do to fuel my motivation to keep working. Right now, I find myself using my eagerness to find an internship I am truly passionate about to push myself to keep working hard. Finding a purpose to be proud of the work you are putting in will make school much more enjoyable than simply passing in assignments to get by.

The stress will pass, as it always does, and soon enough that to-do list will be all checked off. The real trick is being able to identify when you are allowing that list to take over you, and then realizing that you are the only person who can control how it is handled. It can be easy to get buried in schoolwork. Taking the time to take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and appreciate the work it took to get where you are will not only validate all of the work you have done but will motivate you to keep it up!

“So many people wait to feel ‘motivated’ before they do anything. Here’s a newsflash: happy productive people do not wait for motivation, they just get on with it'' 

- Marie Forleo



EY: Creating Your Success

Panel Moderator: Tyler Spellman Campus Ambassador

Panel Questions:

  1. Please take a minute to introduce yourself, share a little bit about you. What do you do at the firm and how long have you been at EY?

  2. If you had to define your personal brand at this moment in your career with 3 words, what would those words be?

    • Meredith Coughlin: Client-centric, inclusive, working mom

    • Addison Hugo: Proactive, adaptable, resourceful

    • Libby Rosenberry: Flexible, assertive, social

    • Julia Accorsini: Confident, personable, versatile

  3. How have you evolved as a female professional throughout your career? What obstacles have you had to overcome, and what are the lessons you’ve learned from facing these challenges?

    • Meredith Coughlin: I started with the firm during a financial crisis — as I look back, the obstacles were ones that I seeked out. That is what has shaped me.

    • Addison Hugo: I’m a people-pleaser, which is a problem that a lot of women have. I wasn’t a good self-advocate at first, but I have learned to work on it. You pull your own career, so don’t lose out on compensation, roles, and projects… you should feel empowered to grow.

    • Libby Rosenberry: It can be challenging starting your career as a young female professional. You will have clients who are difficult. You may have problems being heard. But, you have a unique perspective, so speak up!

    • Julia Accorsini: I went into a whole new career path because I wasn’t happy. There is a stigma that you can’t “job hop.” Go pursue the place where you fit and listen to your intuition. It’s okay to not know what you want to do at first.

  4. Have any of you had a mentor throughout your career? If so, how have they helped or inspired you?

    • Meredith Coughlin: At EY, we are formally set up with a counsellor. This sponsor is always your advocate! They can help with specific things (like promotions). A mentor, on the other hand, is someone who will give you advice.

    • Addison Hugo: Having the EY counsellor is new to me; you just keep them informed, but they’re not your boss. My mentor actually reached out to me when she saw a new opportunity in her team, and even though she was hard on me in that position, I learned so much.

    • Libby Rosenberry: When you’re working or traveling, you end up being a part of teams. Your network expands fast. I think I have a lot of mentors.

    • Julia Accorsini: The counselor system at EY is awesome! They’re a great part of your career. My mentor was someone I worked with on my last project — I respect her opinions, personally and professionally.

  5. As strong, motivated females in the workplace, what steps do you take to empower women that are just starting out on their career journeys?

    • Meredith Coughlin: I feel personally responsible for every woman on my team because I’m the only female partner. I try to push women out of their comfort zone, often by having them present. I try to them to remind them, “I wouldn’t put you up there if you were going to embarrass yourself.”

    • Addison Hugo: We have two new team members who graduated a year or so ago, and now I’m seeing patterns that I remember in myself. They seem sacred to ask questions; women are usually taught to be tough, independent workers. I encourage them to break out of that mindset and explore.

    • Libby Rosenberry: I encourage my female co-workers to speak up during meetings and defend their points. I encourage them to present their own updates, instead of having leadership do it for them. Also, give feedback so female co-workers can develop and grow!

    • Julia Accorsini: You have a seat at the table for a reason. You’re not supposed to just sit there and absorb what everyone else is saying — obviously, know your audience, but own your accomplishments. The client wants to know what you think and see you make change. Make effort to give credit where credit is due too, because it’s important to highlight each other.

  6. How have you managed to maintain a healthy work-life balance as your personal needs changed throughout the years or as your role in the company changed?

    • Meredith Coughlin: She just got promoted to partner! It’s hard to live out a suitcase and work late hours and maintain your health. It’s a conscious effort. I perform better when I take care of myself and spend time with my family.

    • Addison Hugo: I’ve become a workaholic, but I have a supportive boyfriend, mom, and friends. Plus my team keeps an eye out — they remind me when I should probably take a break. Sometimes I hit a wall, and I need to get grounded. This past weekend, I watched a whole season of The Politician and bought ClassPass. Also, going from campus to a desk is rough, so make sure to even just get in a walk.

    • Libby Rosenberry: It’s important to eat well and exercise, but also take mental breaks! Unwind! Try a new restaurant or show; even just stay in for the night. And please don’t forget about your non-work friends.

    • Julia Accorsini: The work-life balance is a learned process. Heard of the freshman 15? How about the consulting 30? It happens. But, I’m on the road four days a week, so I’ve learned my routine. Again, when you travel, you wind up in teams! I have girls I go to pilates with, or eat dinner with. You get in the groove and meet new people.

  7. What are some pieces of advice that you would share with the group as they embark on their career journeys?

    • Meredith Coughlin: Start getting out there and talking to firms. You’ll be most successful where you are happy. It’s really the people who will make or break a workplace for you.

    • Addison Hugo: Don’t freak out if you don’t have a job yet, and don’t forget to advocate for yourself. If you’re interested in someone, tell people and make connections — you’re the driver of your career.

    • Libby Rosenberry: Go for things you see yourself actually accepting. Don’t bog yourself down. Just enjoy your time here!

    • Julia Accorsini: Shop around and try new things. Do research and know that people will talk to you if you ask. Be realistic, you’re Isenberg students and you will get a job!