Our second alumni spotlight for the month of January is Ryan Jackson who is a student at Howard University and a graduate of Wheeler High School’s Wheeler Center for Advanced Studies (2016). During the summer of 2018 she worked as an Investment Banking Analyst for Goldman Sachs. Ryan says that 21CL encouraged and developed her drive towards great opportunities. READ ON…..
Paint a picture of what you are doing now.
I am a rising Honors senior Finance major, Spanish minor at Howard University. My dream is to combine my passion for finance and healthcare and work to improve health outcomes around the world. As such, I am currently interning in New York City as an Investment Banking Analyst for Goldman Sachs in the Healthcare group.
How did participating in 21CL change you and/or lead you to where you are now?
21CL was one of my very first touches with the corporate business world. I matriculated through high school as an ambitious scholar who always spent her free time advancing her whole self. As 21CL encouraged and developed my drive, I was led to amazing life opportunities that I never failed to pursue.
What was a memorable or ‘aha’ moment in 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional, etc.?)
My aha moment came years after I completed my last 21CL program when the mother of a fellow 21CL Program attendee came up to me at an unrelated event and remembered me and my presentation.
Which programs did you participate in, and when?
2012 – EarthCare
2013 – Goizueta Youth Leadership Summit at Emory
2013 – Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience (now Turner Voices Youth Media Institute)
How did 21CL prepare you for your next steps? Going into college and taking on leadership roles, heading into a new era of professionalism, etc. What tools/perspectives have helped you along the way?
Presentation/public speaking!! Really becoming comfortable in front of crowds. Or rather comfortable with being uncomfortable but not letting it show. Additionally, professionalism for formal events and how to dress.
Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? if so how? And have you recently learned something else about leadership? Please share!
Yes, I developed a servant leadership style helped by 21CL. When surrounded by amazing leaders I recognized that everyone needs to play different roles in groups. I work best with people who not only delegate but perform as well and that is how I have continued to lead.