College Experiences That Helped An Independent Impact And Evaluation Consultant Succeed
Rakhee's college experience prioritized diverse involvement, including athletics and extracurriculars, fostering "time management" and collaborative skills crucial for their career. The pursuit of diverse perspectives, alongside finding "comfort and safety" within shared experiences, proved invaluable in navigating a professional world beyond the privilege of their upbringing.
Time Management, Collaboration, Empathy, Networking, Cultural Awareness
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Rakhee Patel
Impact & Evaluation Consultant
Independent Consultant
Wellesley College (studied abroad for 1 semester at University College London)
UCLA | M.S. and Ph.D. in Statistics (2011)
Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Consulting
Honors Student, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Time management and prioritization skills are crucial, as demonstrated by Rakhee's experience as a college athlete.
2. Actively seek diverse experiences and perspectives through various activities (clubs, jobs, study abroad) to develop teamwork, collaboration, empathy, and networking skills.
3. Find a balance between exploring different perspectives and connecting with people who share your background for support and comfort in navigating new environments.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
The biggest thing was taking on a lot of activities, which really helped me figure out time management. I was a college athlete for four years, and when I was off-season, I was a much worse student than when I was on-season. It really forced me to manage my time and prioritize.
I think it also helped me meet people from all different backgrounds. I took on different activities in college, like the newspaper, different jobs, and various clubs. This helped me meet people from diverse backgrounds, which translates into the work world. It teaches you how to be a good teammate, work collaboratively, foster empathy, and build connections.
It also helped me learn about different experiences I had no idea about. I grew up in Ohio, am Indian American, and come from a successful family and attended private school, so I've had a lot of privilege. It's really important to seek out people who are different to help you navigate the world and open it up for you.
I also studied abroad for a semester, which was great for me to help navigate the real world. I went to an all-women's college where everything was on campus, so I didn't have my own apartment or navigate a big city. That was really helpful.
Even though it was important to find people different from me and learn different perspectives, I still think it's important to find people who share your experiences too. This provides comfort and safety as you navigate new spaces, especially as a person of color or someone from a specific background. Sometimes, in a large setting, everyone else can seem different. Finding that balance is important. Even if it's just one person, having that connection is valuable.
And just to have a lot of fun. Let yourself have fun; it doesn't have to be all serious.