My career is a choice that indicates my values
I knew that VFA was the right choice for me when I realized that becoming a Fellow would give me the best chance to find what I was looking for: to work directly with business owners who are creating jobs and having a positive impact on their communities. I was also excited by the possibilities that the program offered: an amazing community of recent graduates from across the country coming together around a common mission to revitalize the United States through entrepreneurship.
I gravitated towards entrepreneurship as a young child, even before I could spell or pronounce the word. Throughout my childhood, friends and family couldn’t escape my latest small business venture when they visited our house, whether it was a miniature golf course set up in the basement, a puppet show complete with tickets and popcorn, a video production company, or another idea. So it was no surprise to my friends and family when I chose to pursue an entrepreneurial career.
After joining the high school cross country and track and field teams, I set out to create a website to promote the school’s running teams. The website soon grew into a small business venture that continued until graduation. When it came time to decide what was next, I decided to follow my passion for entrepreneurship to Babson College, a small business school outside of Boston with one of the nation’s strongest reputations for preparing aspiring entrepreneurs.
At Babson, I came to value being surrounded by talented, inspiring, and motivated people. I learned a great deal during my first year from the launching of a philanthropic business and even more the following summer working for a small socially conscious startup company. These experiences reinforced my desire to be part of something that made a positive impact on the larger community.
As I began my final year of college, I investigated traditional career opportunities and was fortunate to have offers that would provide a comfortable starting salary and clear path ahead. Yet, over the weeks and months of interviews, it became clear to me that I wanted to start my career by working in an environment that would provide opportunities to learn, grow and be challenged in a meaningful and unique way. I continued my search and I was excited one day when I learned about VFA. After digging deeper, I was surprised that no one from Babson College—a school known for its commitment to entrepreneurship—had ever joined the program. After connecting with my school’s career center, contacting VFA, and speaking with current Fellows, I knew that this was the type of unique and ambitious program that I was searching for. I am continually excited by the opportunities that I found through Venture for America: to follow my passions, make an impact, and be part of something larger that myself.