When you’re applying to college, you get used to seeing the same phrases. Limitless opportunities. Transformative experiences. Taglines everywhere promise this school, or this major will be the perfect fit for you.

The School of Industrial and Labor Relations was no different. One major, endless possibilities. A single, expansive major covering business, law, government, economics, and policy through the lens of labor and employment. Yet what drew me to ILR wasn’t the tagline, but the substance, confidence, and clarity of what it is: an interdisciplinary program that challenges the way we think about the world of work and people. If that excites you, then you’ll likely find a home here!

At first coming to Cornell, I thought I had a clear sense of where I was headed. My high school background was centered on advocacy and community-building, so I assumed public service would be my natural next step. Through my coursework, I was drawn to the intersection of business, human resources, and social impact after learning that leadership isn’t just about decision-making but also creating supportive environments where people can thrive. ILR shapes the way I think about the forces that affect our lives, approach problems, and navigate challenges.

Finding My Place and People

Being from a small town in California, I wasn’t surrounded by many who had left home, moved across the country, and navigated an Ivy League environment. Still, I knew I wanted to push myself, but I wasn’t always sure how.

Thankfully, ILR and the communities I found within it gave me the tools to figure it out. Every step of the way, I’ve been surrounded by friends, faculty, and staff members who have only strengthened my sense of belonging here.

Whether it’s networking, casually chatting with an alum who took an unexpected career path, or the simple reassurance of knowing that ILR students support each other beyond Cornell–the people truly make the place–something that is just true in life. I recently had a conversation with an alumna, who told me that she applied because of the ILR pamphlet messaging, but it wasn’t until she took electives that she fully saw how ILR connected to her interests. That stuck with me, and I don’t take for granted how lucky I am to have found my place in ILR so quickly.

Exciting Things Ahead

It's easy to get caught up in the idea that college is about checking off boxes like landing the perfect internships, stacking leadership positions, or crafting the perfect four-year plan. While it’s important to have goals, I’ve realized that the most valuable parts of my ILR experience weren’t things I planned for at all.

Now, as I prepare to study abroad in Milan next semester through the ILR Bocconi University Exchange Program, I see a shift happening. This decision wasn’t just about academics, it was about wanting to experience life outside of my comfort zone and broaden my perspective on both work and the world. There were only two ILR spots for the program, and the other went to my close friend who encouraged me to apply in the first place. That in itself feels like a full-circle moment of self-reflection, risk-taking, and most of all, bringing others along for the experience.

The best advice I can give is the same I was given: Don’t silo yourself. After all, the most meaningful experiences might be the ones you couldn’t have imagined–but will ultimately shape your path in the best ways possible.