Learning about The Power of Community during a Visit to Stanford
On Wednesday, July 26th, a crowd of 13 SVUDL students and alum gathered by the freshly trimmed grounds of Stanford Oval, eagerly anticipating a rare opportunity to glance into the world of higher education at Stanford University. They were soon greeted by their tour guide, SVUDL Board member and Stanford Lecturer Matt Abrahams, who proceeded to take the curious and excited crew on a walking journey through all that Stanford has to offer.
Independence High School’s Juan Moreno marveled at the sheer size of the university, as Matt’s tour introduced the SVUDLers to the lively community of Stanford, informing them of Stanford’s traditions, values, and most importantly, their rivalry with UC Berkeley. Students had the opportunity to visit a variety of facilities and classrooms, and each left the tour with a better understanding of what to expect from the next phase of their lives.
SVUDL Young Professionals Network member Elizabeth Lee continued the tour of the Graduate School of Business (GSB). A former debater herself, Elizabeth is currently the Associate Director of Communications & Marketing at Stanford’s GSB and shared insights on what graduate studies was like at Stanford.
Following the tour, SVUDLers bonded over fantastic sandwiches and meaningful discussions. Friendships were made as futures were envisioned. “Being able to tour Stanford with a close-knit group made the experience exceedingly more memorable. From this experience I learned how being in a community, especially with support systems and resources, allows students to thrive within professional settings,” says Chloe Truong (Independence High School).
After lunch came the main event! Elizabeth welcomed some of her GSB colleagues from the Office of External Relations and hosted a career panel. Panelists discussed the lessons they learned and the obstacles they overcame as they traversed their respective paths into their current careers. Students were given the invaluable opportunity to ask these panelists personalized questions and to gain wisdom from their eclectic experiences. “Having the insights of actual professionals specializing in marketing and communications at Stanford was inspiring as they proved how grit and determination took them from small places to big heights,” commented Ojas Gandhi (Independence High School).
We at SVUDL would like to express our gratitude to Matt Abrahams, Elizabeth Lee, and everyone at Stanford involved in making this opportunity possible. This experience has been so valuable in illuminating a clear path forward for our students to achieve their goals. Ashley Estrada (Silver Creek High School) summarized it perfectly: “Thank you so much, Stanford GSB, for sharing your invaluable insights and advice! It was truly enlightening to tour this incredible university and get a firsthand look at all the fantastic work being done here. Your generosity in opening your doors to us is greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten.
