Delta Delta Delta - Cornell University

PAGE 3 Delta Delta Delta Why did you join Tri Delta and what made you stay a part of the sisterhood? I was initially ambivalent about joining a sorority, but all my friends were doing so and I needed a place to live sophomore year. It turned out to be a great decision! Tri Delta was my top choice from Day 1. I liked everyone I met and was struck by how authentic the friendships were. I loved my experience throughout all four years. What aspects of the sisterhood were you most proud of? The chapter was comprised of such different personalities and there was a place for everyone. Cornell is an intense place, and the sorority never demanded more of my time than I could give. What are your favorite memories from your me in the Alpha Beta house? Living in the house was the best! I got to know people so well and there was always something going on. I still vividly remember studying in the dining room until 2 a.m. with my sisters and breaking into delirious song and dance when the exhaustion became overwhelming. In what capacity did you serve as a student? I served as academic development chairman, so it should be of little surprise that I eventually became a college professor and now give talks to groups of college students on topics related to their academic and professional success! What was your career path a er college? I earned my bachelor of arts degree in English in 1999 and then my law degree from The George Washington University Law School in 2002. I taught business law at the University of Maryland for the last eight years but became concerned about students' declining skills and mental health after the pandemic. I resigned and launched JG Talks LLC, through which I give talks to groups of high school and college students about things like time management, résumé strategies, how to build a network, how to study effectively, positive relationship-building, and other topics related to their success. How did you come to be involved in the Delta Links program? One of my Tri Delta friends who is involved in the Delta Links program reached out to ask if I would be interested in engaging with the chapter. College has changed a lot since I went, and I have a good understanding of what college students go through now, having had thousands of students at UMD. I am always happy to mentor students! What are your top three pieces of advice for undergraduates? 1 It is okay, and normal, not to be sure what your future career path will look like! Even if you think you have it all figured out, life has a way of inspiring change and things will happen along the way that are totally unpredictable. 2 Build your network by being service-minded. As sorority members, you are surrounded by an amazing network right now. Get to know people as well as you can, learn their goals, and offer to help them whenever possible. Networking is less about LinkedIn and résumés and more about cultivating authentic and positive relationships with as many people as possible. 3 Get to know your professors! Many educators worked in the "real world" before academia, and they have great contacts. Professors can be very helpful when it comes time to get recommendation letters and introductions to people in your chosen industry. When professors like you, they can move mountains. Be professional and strategic when it comes to your relationships with them. How do you think Tri Delta helped you become who you are today? I always felt confident that I could be myself, and that has carried me as I have navigated my life and career. Tri Delta helped me understand the value of surrounding myself with great people and led me to kind and loyal friends with whom I could be authentically myself and have a great time. Michele Landis Soileau '76 hosted a fabulous reunion for 18 Tri Deltas from the classes of '75-'79 in Annapolis, MD, where sisters visited the Cryptologic Museum, sailed on a big schooner in the bay, toured the Naval Academy, visited art galleries, enjoyed the Linganore Wineries (run by three generations of Cornellians!), and had some delicious meals and great conversations. If you are planning a reunion or would like to share photos of a reunion of Alpha Betas, please send them to alphabetahc@gmail.com to have them published in our next newsletter. Alpha Beta Deltas meet up in Somerville, MA, over the summer! Building a Fun and Func onal Network JENNIFER GERSHBERG '99 TALKS PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS Jen lives in Bethesda, MD, with her husband of almost 20 years and their three teenagers. They have one son who is a senior in high school and twin daughters who are freshmen. They also have a pandemic puppy named Maggie Madeline. In her free time, Jen loves to travel, take long walks, read, and watch "Bama Rush" TikToks. If you'd like to find out more about her work with JGTalks and Delta Links, you can follow her on Instagram at @jgtalksorg or send her an email at jennifer@jgtalks.org. Alumnae Ne Laura Corson '93, Jennifer Joyce Kean '93, Danielle Koutsainis '24, Aisling Mannion '23, Tara Benedict '01, Emily Levine '01, and Terry Petracca '76.

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