Enrich Scholars

Hi LinkedIn friends, On May 17th, I graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in Economics and Finance. During my time there, I gained valuable knowledge and enjoyed a variety of experiences. I’m incredibly grateful for the connections I made over my four years as a WMSURE Scholar. Today, I’m proud to share that I started my journey as a Talent Development Associate at Wayfair. I’m excited to see where this next chapter will take me! I want to give a special thanks to Alfonso Carney III, Kristine Shatas, MBA, and Eboni Spearnak Moore, SHRM-CP, SPHR!

Last week, I completed my 10-week internship at Wayfair as a Business Analyst on the North America Retail Technology & Analytics team. So lucky to have had my fellow interns Luis Mendoza Perez, Kyle Radimer, and Lindsay Kinum to navigate this experience with—I wish you all the best for senior year! I’m grateful to my NARTA team for their support, fun Stand Ups, and willingness to chat. I am so appreciative for the time spent with my Tech and Reporting lane and I am missing our lively color debates, Fernando Marquez, Mariana Rossmann, Erin Meaney, and Micael Cunha Alves. Special thanks to my manager, Abhishek Govande, for empowering me to trust in my capabilities and always being so willing to help me grasp new concepts! The highlight of my experience was my team placing 1st in the Intern Innovation Project with our Waybor BuildBot pitch—a furniture assembly tool with an AI chatbot and 3D animations. Part of our prize was breakfast with Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah, who shared valuable entrepreneurial insights. I’m thankful for this rewarding experience and my fantastic team, Kate Ratner, Jocelyn Ridge, Abhinav Akumala, Tyree Brooks, Jeffrey Tan, Svadrut Kukunooru. I hope senior year treats you all well! Wayfair’s culture of open conversations has been amazing, thank you to everyone who had a "coffee" chat with me. Also, thank you to Emma Polk and Rebekah Keator for your guidance as I head into the fall recruiting season—you’ve been amazing resources! Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to Enrich Scholars for connecting me with Wayfair and preparing me for the interview process. Your commitment to supporting underrepresented students trying to enter the professional world is invaluable. For any students interested, you can apply here to get free coaching support and be connected with company partners like Wayfair! https://lnkd.in/ef-W-qgV

Considering how DEI raises concerns about tokenism, polarization, implementation challenges, and questions of effectiveness, John Hope Bryant highlights how diversity is not just a social imperative but a driver of U.S. economic growth. By addressing these challenges thoughtfully, we can unlock DEI's true potential to strengthen our economy and society.

Congratulations to our Scholar, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Bui, who will join Wayfair this summer! Kaitlyn is a rising senior at the University of Washington, studying applied computational mathematical sciences: Discrete Math and Algorithms. Here is what she has to say about being an Enrich Scholar: "In September 2023, I was really struggling to find an internship to put my foot in the door. At that time, I was recommended to Enrich from an academic program, and decided to try it out. I’m really glad I took up that opportunity! My Enrich coach proved invaluable not only in preparing me for pre-interview, through resume and opportunity matching, but also post-interview through contract signing. I’m incredibly grateful to the Enrich team, and recommend Enrich Scholars to all my peers! Some advice I have for current students: I know job / internship hunting can be incredibly unnerving, but you got this. I promise you’re in the right hands. Enrich will prep you for everything you could possibly need, whether it be on behavioral or technical interviews. Trust in the process and trust in yourself. Prep, prep, prep. For myself, this preparation beget the confidence for me to succeed." To learn more about Enrich, check us out here: https://lnkd.in/dzuh8xnR

The Class of 2024 college graduates are entering a U.S. job market that, while still solid, is showing signs of cooling after the post-pandemic hiring frenzy. Where these graduates choose to live and work can significantly shape their job prospects and overall quality of life. Realtor.com has compiled a list of top rental markets tailored for recent college grads, considering essential factors such as job opportunities, rent affordability, cultural amenities, and the presence of other graduates in the area. Cities like Austin, Texas, Bloomington, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh are top choices. While some graduates may already have destinations in mind due to job offers or family proximity, others exploring new areas could benefit from this curated list. However, challenges persist in the job market. National hiring for 2024 grads is expected to dip compared to the previous year, influenced by factors like layoffs in tech and finance due to excessive pandemic hiring and high interest rates. Consulting firms are also delaying start dates due to reduced demand. Moreover, there's increased competition, with two applicants for every job vacancy compared to one in 2022. Realtor.com's rankings consider factors such as rent-to-income ratio, vacancy rates, entry-level job opportunities, recent college grad population, unemployment rates, job postings index, and commute times. The top markets offer a balanced mix of affordability, job opportunities, and amenities. Austin, for instance, boasts a low rent-to-income ratio, high entry-level job share, and abundant cultural amenities. Other cities like Bloomington, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Overland Park, Richmond, and Scottsdale offer similar advantages, making them appealing destinations for recent graduates seeking to kickstart their careers. At Enrich, we offer a range of resources to support recent grads of color in navigating their professional journeys. Learn more about us here: https://lnkd.in/dzuh8xnR

I'm thrilled to share that I've accepted an offer from Fidelity Investments. I'll be in the Lynnwood, WA Investor Center in Summer 2024. I'd like to first give a special thank you to Alfonso Carney III and the Enrich Scholars program for presenting me with this exciting opportunity. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Eric Cole, Ruthie Ditzler, and Gulsun (Gu) Cavusoglu, LMSW for their invaluable guidance and support throughout the recruitment process. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with Fidelity’s team of financial professionals. Additionally, I deeply value the chance to contribute to enhancing the customer experience for Fidelity’s clients. Looking forward to immersing myself and growing my knowledge of Financial Planning, Wealth Management, and Investments in the Financial Services Industry.

Haven't landed a summer internship yet? Do not worry; there are plenty of proactive steps you can take to stay on track with your career goals. Check out these tips to maximize your summer and keep your career journey moving forward! Update Your Profiles: Keep your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles current with your academic achievements, work history, and interests. Network on LinkedIn: Connect with alumni and industry professionals for informational calls to build relationships and gain insights. Consider Year-Round Internships: Many internships are available outside of the summer months, including part-time and full-time opportunities during the school year. Explore Summer Jobs and Volunteer Work: Look for positions relevant to your major or career aspirations, as they can provide valuable experience and insights. Acquire New Skills and Certifications: Use this time to learn new skills, either independently or through certification programs, to enhance your resume. Prepare for Fall Career Fairs: Research companies, practice your pitch, and prepare for virtual career fairs in the fall. Prioritize Mental Health and Hobbies: Take time for self-care and pursue hobbies to recharge after a challenging academic year. Utilize Career Services: Seek guidance from your college's career services office for additional support and resources. At Enrich, we connect students of color with career resources! Learn more about us here: https://lnkd.in/dzuh8xnR

Congratulations to our Scholar, Leo Yuan, an incoming ERP Finance Intern at Comcast, NBCUniversal! Leo is a junior at Boston University studying Business Analytics. This is what he has to say about being an Enrich Scholar: "Joining the Enrich Scholar’s Fellowship was a pivotal moment that provided the support I needed to continue progressing in my recruiting process. Network! All the coffee chats and conversations you accumulate will build up into invaluable experiences that help you advance your professional development." Interested in joining our community? Learn more about Enrich here: https://lnkd.in/dzuh8xnR