With the beginning of a new semester at Amherst College comes the conclusion of one of the most anticipated events of my Sophomore year: Sophomore Summit. The Sophomore Summit was a time of growth, with alumni, sophomores, juniors, and seniors alike coming together to make connections and learn from one another. For the sophomores still thinking about what they want to do, the upperclassmen were a beacon of support and advice. The upperclassmen peer leaders had a chance to share all they’ve learned during their time at Amherst with underclassmen, and they, too, were able to make connections. Some even found that in teaching, they still had something left to learn. Of course, the highlight of the whole event was seeing the Amherst community, alumni, and current students come together to network and discuss career-minded topics, offering questions and advice in tandem. Join me in reflecting on the highlights of the Sophomore Summit, with commentary from many Peer Leaders, upperclassmen who join the sophomores on our journey by offering advice and guidance, in attendance this year, as we think about what we’ll take away and what we’ve gained.
Making Connections:
“In President Elliot’s Day 1 keynote, he emphasized the importance of collaboration. Collaboration with your friends, but almost more importantly, collaboration with peers that you don’t know. Not only does this allow you to hear from a variety of different perspectives, but allows you to open yourself up to a relationship that you would’ve otherwise not had, and these relationships can be elemental to your college career and future career search.”
– Spencer Will ’26
Connections are invaluable to any Amherst student. One of the benefits of attending a small college is the strong, tight-knit community we create in our four years here, and the connections that constitute it. Sophomore Summit serves as a chance for students who have never met to interact, come together with career-minded intentions, and form new connections that will carry on for the rest of our time at Amherst. But it’s not just a time of connection, it’s a time of growth. Even the Peer Leaders had something to learn! As Kiarra Barnes ’27 recounted:
“Today, I had a sophomore ask me what the difference is between a CV and a resume. I, thinking a CV was the same as a cover letter, started to explain what a cover letter was. Apparently it’s not! Super embarrassing for me, but I recognized that I’m not here to be a professional — I’m just here to help. We called our room monitor over, and we got a thorough, helpful answer. The point of saying this is that Sophomore Summit is a time for everybody to be involved in learning; sophomores, peer leaders, and maybe even the alumni (the keynote speaker said they hadn’t been back in ten years!). No matter what the “power structure” looks like externally, every member has the ability to bring up a question that needs answering by at least one other person.”
Events and conversations alike brought students from all class years together, with exciting connections forming even between peer leaders and students. Kiarra also had an interesting experience during speed interviewing:
“During the speed interviewing, my first interviewee introduced himself in a very attention-grabbing way. Apparently, when he came to Amherst, he got really into perfumery. I was so caught off guard that I abandoned the preliminary questions and delved into what perfumery is, his potential future of selling his work on campus, and the perfumery club that he’s going to start. Talk about a niche hobby! This person really embodied the spirit of personableness and inspired me to think about what I can do in my free time–he even invited me to come to the club!”
Yet Sophomore Summit most effectively serves as a space for sophomores to interact with one another, especially making new connections with like-minded people in similar fields. I, for one, know I met many new people I’d never spoken to before, and I’m far from the only one. Isabella DePreist-Sullivan ’27 remarked that
“It was exciting to see sophomores make plans with each other to practice interview questions after the Speed Interviewing event! I think the event left everyone with a good foundation from which to practice and showed particularly how easily we can help each other.”
Whether we left the event inducted into a new perfumery club, introduced to the difference between a cover letter and a CV, or just in the presence of a few more friends on campus, there is no doubt that Sophomore Summit was a time of connection for everyone, and I’m excited to see where these new connections lead.
Welcome Back, Alumni!
“It’s so rare to be surrounded by people who, through their stories and advising, earn my genuine admiration, and at the same time feel so relatable. Knowing that you once sat where I do and have become exactly the kind of curious and passionate people that I want to be has injected fresh energy into the projects and careers that I want to do.”
– Oscar Jemison-Blais ’26
One of the greatest assets of any Amherst student is the alumni network. Former students who are so dedicated to helping current students in their careers gathered in one place this winter break, and I feel lucky to have been there! There’s nothing quite as reassuring as getting to speak to people who have been in your shoes, and knowing there’s someone out there who truly cares about your success is invaluable. This Sophomore Summit not only did alumni return to participate in career and experience panels to share their stories, but hundreds of long-distance alumni reached out and were matched with students with similar interests, giving us a chance to connect. As Esther Jagwer ’26, said:
“See[ing] yourself beyond Amherst through the lives of alumni who are pursuing things you once thought were impossible, or taking trajectories that seemed unpopular or untraditional. It is deeply affirming and brings forth a powerful spirit of sharedness within our community.”
Not only is interacting with alumni a valuable experience in terms of seeking reassurance that you’re on the right path, but hearing about a student who took a certain journey opens up new opportunities for career exploration for many students. Like Jadyn Newby ’27 was introduced to fellowships:
“I attended the recent alumni fellowship panel, and learned a lot about the possibilities for fellowships post-grad. It was not something that I was looking into previously, but now it is a possibility that I am going to consider! I am excited that a panel was able to make me explore different career paths, even as a junior.”
Whether by way of panels, hearing stories, or speaking directly to alumni through Zoom, everyone who attended Sophomore Summit left with a bit more networking experience and a healthy exposure to what life after college looks like. The Sophomore Summit reminded me what a wonderful opportunity it is to attend a college where, even after graduating, the student body supports and cares for one another, and the Loeb Center created a way to access that support directly.
Why Sophomore Summit?
“Looking to have an interesting conversation with someone goes a long way.”
–Adrianna Turner ’14 (during the recruiter panel)
Are you an underclassman thinking about attending Sophomore Summit next year, or an upperclassman wanting to become a Peer Leader? My advice is to go for it. Not only will it make you “address [the] career interests and the internship apps and materials [you’ve] been ignoring,” as Isabella says one Sophomore put it, but you’ll have the unique opportunity to learn and grow in a space of your peers who are doing the same. Amherst, and everyone here, wants to see you grow and succeed, so take advantage of every opportunity. Sofia Angarita ’26 put it best in recounting an experience at Sophomore Summit:
“A speaker on the ‘Making a Difference: Careers for the Greater Good’ panel said, ‘intentions matter, but outcomes matter more.’ This will stick with me because it emphasizes the necessity to put knowledge into action. You cannot just hope to connect with people or hope to make a social impact (in my case), but must actually take actionable steps to do so. I think so many peer leaders and sophomores took action by participating in the Sophomore Summit this week!”
Each and every student at Amherst has the opportunity to do something wonderful with their careers. Personally, I am seizing every opportunity that comes my way and making the most of these four years, because as many alumni emphasized during their talks, everything that we do here is invaluable. I resonated with something Esther said:
“I never fully fathomed the richness of Amherst College’s liberal arts curriculum and community—how it prepares us, often in ways we do not immediately recognize, to contribute meaningfully.”
This year’s Sophomore Summit was an amazing experience for me and many other students. I made connections that I will carry forward, and I know many of my peers did the same. I’m looking forward to seeing what next year will bring. With one last quote from Esther and Theint Thu, ‘26, two Peer Leaders from this year:
“Take advantage of the fullness of Amherst’s liberal arts education to explore what you do not yet know but feel called to grow into or impact. Yes, it is not easy stepping into communities and cultures you may not feel familiar with—it takes bravery. As one speaker shared, ‘Bravery in the decisions you make and perseverance to continue in that process.’ ~Ana Salas Siegel ’91.”
So I say one last thank you to all the alumni for their kindness in returning to campus and guiding the sophomores on our journey into what we do not yet know. And, as Ana said, thank you to all of my fellow sophomores and attendees for your bravery.
