Still, when I hear people wax nostalgia about their universities, I’m not only confused, I’m annoyed, and I’m not sure why. Truthfully, I enjoyed college, I liked my classes and my school. But five years later, I don’t have an emotional attachment to the school. I have the same feeling about my high school. I have no interest to attend a reunion, I keep in touch with the people I want to keep in touch with intentionally, and I just can’t muster up a whole lot of “college spirit.”
One of the pieces of advice I’d give to young women is that your college doesn’t really matter. With determination, drive and relentless ambition, whether you went to a small community college or the most prestigious Ivy League university, you can be successful and rise to the top of your industry. Will a prestigious school get you your first job more quickly? Maybe. But even that name can’t substitute for great internships, phenomenal networking and a work ethic second to none.
So what do you think, readers? Am I off my rocker? Is it normal to be so attached to your alma mater? Or am I more “normal” in my feeling of saying thanks for the memories, but no more nostalgia?
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
Hi CCG!I am very impressed by all of your info. interviews in Chicago as well as networking events. I'd love to hear how you've been introduced to so many people to meet with. Have you blogged about your "secrets"? I'm shy and the thought of this makes me ill! But, at a job that's making me unhappy I am looking at also switching jobs and cities. Thanks!
Julie
julesfoster316@gmail.com
I'm kind of curious whether these people went to grad school, too… I read recently that people who went to grad school overwhelmingly give money (annual fund, or whatever) to their undergrad school and nothing to their grad school. This got me thinking that maybe this is either related or some sort of off-shoot of that.
Using myself as an example, I liked my college quite a bit and think I had a great experience. But if the topic came up in conversation, I'd be much more likely to wax poetic about my experience at Hamline than my time at Mitchell.
I am with you – I have little emotional attachment to the college I went to. I don't hate it and I enjoyed my college years, but I'm not all wrapped up in the awesome-ness of the university. It was just a school, really.
And quite frankly, I'd appreciate it if they stopped asking my broke self for donations! I've been out of school for two years…I'm not a millionaire yet, spend time asking more qualified people for money!