Why I Joined the Military

Twenty Grinnell students spent spring break in the Big Apple with help from their friends in the Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations, and Human Rights and from alumni who shared their career insights into those chosen fields.

Nearly 200 alumni interacted with the current students. Some were selected by the Rosenfield Program to host students in their workplaces, while more alumni greeted the students at networking events.

All came away with an enriching experience.

For Roni Finkelstein ’15, a history major from New Jersey, trip leader, and member of the Rosenfield Program committee, her Grinnell-earned skills came to life. “I was inspired by the myriad ways that Grinnell alumni achieve success once they graduate. Very few of the alums we spoke with took a direct path to where they are now. As a senior, it was comforting to see how relevant the skills I gained at Grinnell are to so many different careers,” Finkelstein says.

For Liyan Chen ’12, a reporter at Forbes and on-site tour host, the trip offered an opportunity to give back. “Students can benefit from our perspective about life after Grinnell and what it can be,” Chen says.

For Sarah Purcell ’92, professor of history and director of the Rosenfield Program, the New York City tour far exceeded expectations. “Working with so many alums, collaborating with the Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), and seeing so many students gain so much from the trip made the whole experience fantastic!”

The Rosenfield-CLS-DAR-sponsored tour was the third industry tour offered by the College. “What students walk away with from these tours is compelling — career advice, internship leads, enriching experiences, and networking opportunities,” says Mark Peltz, Daniel and Patricia Jipp Finkelman Dean, CLS.

The fast-paced weeklong tour began at New York University’s Stern School of Business, hosted by Sarah Labowitz ’04, before moving on to the Council on Foreign Relations. That evening more than 150 Grinnell alumni and students met President Raynard S. Kington at the Rubin Museum of Art for one of Grinnell’s largest New York City alumni events.

The following day, Roberta Smith ’69, art critic at The New York Times, gave students behind-the-scenes access to reporters, some of whom had investigated brutality in the prison system. At Human Rights Watch, students heard from lawyers who litigate cases such as Guantanamo Bay detainees. Leonard Kurz ’75 hosted the group at the Center for Constitutional Rights, where alumni later joined the group for a dinner reception.

Luna Ranjit ’00 welcomed students at Adhikaar, an organization she co-founded to fight for the rights of Nepali-speaking immigrants. At Episcopal Relief and Development, Katie Mears ’03 explained her role as director for U.S. disaster preparedness and response. Students met for dinner with the New York alumni planning committee, led by Ahsan Rahim ’11.  At the U.S. mission to the United Nations, students met foreign service officer Liz Lee ’99 and later toured the U.N. General Assembly. At Forbes, Chen and colleagues talked with Grinnellians about the magazine’s global expansion. That evening, the group was hosted by Rob Neill ’91 at The Neo-Futurists, an experimental theatre company where he is managing director.

 “The biggest impact for students is the opportunity to connect with alumni in their workplaces, in areas students are interested in; for alumni, it’s a reason to reconnect with the College, share their knowledge and influence future leaders,” says Nate Dobbels, assistant director of alumni relations for career programs.

“Seeing the numbers of business cards exchanged and hearing students say ‘I want to do that’ shows the impact alumni can have. It’s a much deeper connection once they meet.”

When Ranjit introduced the students to Adhikaar, she said the nonprofit organization “started and grew with direct and indirect support from Grinnell. The first contribution was a $500 check from Professor Mark Montgomery (economics). I also received the Wall Service Award that allowed Adhikaar to expand.”

Hearing Ranjit’s Adhikaar experience was the most memorable part of the trip for Anesu Gamanya ’17. The economics major from Harare, Zimbabwe, left inspired by “the relationships that go beyond Grinnell.”

The New York trip was deemed such a success that the Rosenfield Program will sponsor a tour next spring break to Washington, D.C., with a policymaking and public affairs focus. CLS, DAR, and the Donald L. Wilson Program in Enterprise and Leadership are planning a tour to New York City, focusing on data, for the fall break.