As a graduating senior from Arizona State University, I thought my professional journey would follow the same path as my peers. Get a job at a notable corporation and then work up the corporate ladder. While this was the “safe” option, I wanted to dedicate my time to something bigger than myself. Building off of my passion for entrepreneurship I joined VFA and set my sights on Training Camp in Detroit.
Entering Training Camp there was one prevailing feeling – anxiousness. I knew no one, had no idea what to expect, and had never spent extended time in Detroit. My fears almost immediately evaporated as I felt camaraderie with my VFA Class despite our vastly different backgrounds. What struck me was I didn’t have to explain “why” I had decided to do this. I had spent the previous semester explaining to all of my friends, family, and professors what the program was and why I had decided to take the uncertain route. Instead, every conversation at Training Camp began with a shared understanding which allowed me to foster deeper connections.
While at Training Camp it was tremendous to hear from so many amazing speakers who were deep subject matter experts and shared knowledge from their experiences. One of the most profound speakers was Lorenzo Gomez who shared learnings from his career. The best way I can summarize his wisdom is in two points.
- First, find your support system, or as he coined “personal board of directors” to help you in your journey.
- Second, life is unexpected so take opportunities when they come.
It was what I needed to hear to reframe how I approached this next phase of life.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to start my Fellowship in Birmingham this fall. While living in a new city and taking on the challenges of building a startup seemed daunting at first, Training Camp showed me I have a village of supporters behind me. I can’t wait to look back in two years and see how far we’ve come.