As many of the learners from our Readiness Institute Summer Program know, our connection doesn’t just end after the summer. We continue to stay in touch with learners when they go back for their senior year, after they graduate high school, and beyond. We recently checked in with some of the young adults who were a part of the inaugural cohort of the Summer Program in 2021. They have now graduated high school and are on to their next steps of adulthood. This series will feature several of our Readiness Institute Summer Program alums to see where they are now, hear about their favorite memories of the summer experience, and collect any words of advice for their fellow alums!
Noah Rock
Where are you now?
Right now, I’m at Penn State University Park — majoring in finance and likely minoring in supply chain management. Outside of class, I am a member of Sapphire, a leadership academic program, as well as the bodybuilding and fitness club. I’m looking to join a lot more clubs in my time here.
What do you enjoy most about where you are now?
What I like the most is the opportunity that comes with a big school like Penn State University Park. I have options to join organizations for many different interests, whether academic or not.
How has your life changed since the Readiness Institute?
Since the Readiness Institute, I have learned the importance of networking and meeting new people and how those connections can benefit both of us. Through Sapphire, I have seen people use their networking skills to land Fortune 500 jobs after graduation, and I hope to do the same. Also, I come from a small high school, but at the Readiness Institute, I learned how to meet new people, who I want to be, what my values are, and how to make new friends. The Readiness Institute taught me that there is value in being on time and there is value in standing up to speak. There’s always someone watching, so putting your best self forward and showing up is very important!
What advice or message do you have for your fellow Readiness Institute alums?
If I could give advice to my fellow alums, I would say that there are only 24 hours in a day. Use every single hour, every single minute, every single second. Enjoy the life you have, prioritize your values, get rest, and make the best out of each new day!