Anna Teye-Kasongo

In what ways did the Trachtenberg community—whether professors, peers, or alumni—support or influence your career?

The community of peers I connected and remain close with at Trachtenberg significantly influenced my career. From late night study sessions to navigating capstone together, the friends I made introduced me to the power of community and importance of partnering with people with a shared vision. They've done mock interviews with me, read and edited writing samples for jobs, and spoke life into me when I doubted my abilities. That squad still motivates me to strive for excellence, explore opportunities that give me purpose, and fly out to support me through different seasons of my life. I'm filled with gratitude. 

What advice would you share with someone looking to pursue a career similar to yours?

It's great to have a career plan; just be ready for it to change. I knew I wanted to advocate for others and influence policy. I chose Trachtenberg because I knew it would equip me with the practical skills I needed to be that servant leader. After Trachtenberg, every "no" I received was an opportunity for redirection and building new skills that were essential to the plan. I encourage others to keep an open mind to the roles, no matter how small or seemingly "off script" they appear, because they will prepare you for what's next.