College Experiences That Helped a Business Development Representative at William Blair Succeed

There are many resources available at UCLA, as an example of one campus or university. I think it's really about getting as much access to some of these resources as possible, whether it's tutoring or mentorship. I think that was one component.

The other part is that I spent a year abroad and wanted to do something atypical. Spanish is my first language, and I grew up speaking both English and Spanish. I thought it would be too easy to just pick a country that spoke Spanish or English for my year away.

So I went to France. I studied abroad, but I didn't just go to Paris. I went to the south of France, which is kind of like the Texas or Alabama of France. It was challenging because that enabled me to really grow as a junior.

It was really about the growth that comes from being uncomfortable, being in a place where I didn't really understand the society, customs, or culture, and the language was different from everything I had studied in high school or undergrad.

I think that experience enabled me to expand and grow personally. I learned how to deal with challenges and how human adaptation can be difficult for some people. It really challenged me from an adaptive perspective.

It enabled me to think outside the box about my career and what's important to me. You get to see the world from a different lens. I always encourage people to study abroad and spend time away from home.

It gives you a different perspective on what's out there. Even if you don't end up living abroad again, you'll come back with a sense of perspective that is transcendental over time. As you get older, you'll remember those moments when you were young, ambitious, and had that young spirit.

It reminds you that if you had it then, you still have it today. You never stop growing, and you never stop learning. Getting out of your comfort zone, like studying abroad, will give you a perspective that you'll hold true for the rest of your life.

It's a unique and phenomenal experience. If you have the opportunity, I would say to take it. You might never have that same opportunity again, so you might as well use it while you can.