Class of 2026 Senior Reflections

“I am beyond grateful for the time I have spent, the connections I have made, and the things I have learned throughout my Carey Fellowship. Without a doubt, I can say that this program has been one of the defining elements of my Sewanee education, and the experiences I have garnered will be carried with me long after my time on the mountain is over. Through briefing trips and business studies spanning from Austin to New York to Singapore, dozens of speaker events and networking opportunities, and a suite of seminar courses ranging concepts such as leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship, I can say with certainty that the Carey Fellow Business Honors program has not only prepared me for my next steps, but also molded me into the person I am today.”

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and connections I have received as a member of the Carey Fellowship program. Through speaker events, business-focused coursework, and opportunities to engage with professionals across a variety of industries, I have gained valuable insight into the business world while also developing a clearer vision for my future. The program has challenged me to think critically, communicate effectively, and approach problems with creativity and confidence. From collaborative projects to discussions centered on leadership and entrepreneurship, the Carey Fellowship has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and played a defining role in shaping who I am today. I will carry these experiences and relationships with me long after my time on the Mountain, and I am confident they have prepared me well for what comes next.”

“Carey Fellows has shaped my Sewanee experience in a way I’ll always be grateful for. Through executive business trips and conversations with professionals, I gained real insight into navigating the business world and the importance of building genuine connections. My semester-long internship in the music industry helped me grow in confidence and confirmed my passion for the field. I’m leaving Sewanee feeling more prepared, grounded, and excited for what’s ahead.”

“My time at Sewanee is indelibly marked by the experiences afforded through the Carey Fellows program. It has provided tremendous opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally. The value of the Carey Fellowship is how it pulls back the curtain on the “world of business”. Executive briefing trips across the US and my strategy and development internship with Odyssey Capital in Singapore and Jaan Water in Bali have prepared and empowered me for the rigors of the professional world. In addition, the amazing support from the Babson Center team is hard to overstate. I am deeply grateful to have been a part of this program and I am confident that the experiences I gained through it will help launch me into my professional career.”

“My time as a Carey Fellow has been an integral part of my undergraduate experience, allowing me to gain exposure to the business sector and encouraging me to connect my areas of study, interests, and long-term goals. From day one, the Babson Center organized thoughtful programming and designed a highly individualized mentorship network to help me build my technical and interpersonal skills. These experiences prepared me for professional discussions, connected me with like-minded peers, and challenged me to align my sustainability aspirations with rigorous economic principles. Through my subsequent internship with the Conway Chamber of Commerce and Startup Junkie Consulting, I gained firsthand experience in how economic development and entrepreneurial ecosystems can drive regional growth. Building on that foundation, I have solidified my desire to pursue a career in sustainable development and gained the confidence to navigate complex business environments. I am deeply grateful for the mentorship and community that have shaped my growth through the Carey Fellow program, and I know these lessons will continue to serve me long after I leave the Domain. YSR!”

“The Carey Fellowship has been the vector to my liberal arts education. Sewanee provides an exceptional education, and the Babson Center's programming has turned knowledge into opportunities. I am incredibly thankful for the lessons and laughs shared during our internships, executive briefing trips, events, and seminars. Myles, Julie, and Sarah have been a wonderful support, and I attribute many of my favorite memories to the Carey Fellowship. After graduation, I will continue working with Tnemec Company as an industrial coatings sales representative in Northwest Arkansas and Tulsa. This opportunity would not be possible without the Carey Fellowship, and I cannot thank the Babson Center enough.”

“My time as a Carey Fellow has been one of the most influential and thought-provoking experiences of my academic career at Sewanee. It has reshaped how I think about success in business and highlighted the profound impact that a small group of driven, like-minded individuals can have. Being part of this cohort has been a true privilege – one I hope to extend to others as they begin their own journeys of exploration through these gates.”

“The Carey Fellows program has been a hugely impactful part of my time at Sewanee and has served as the bridge between my liberal arts education and my professional aspirations. All of my experiences, ranging from speaker networking sessions to immersive executive briefing trips, have shaped and refined my skills. Ultimately, the internship opportunities facilitated by the program gave me the hands-on experience necessary to decide my career path and ensure I hit the ground running after graduation”

“The Carey Fellowship has been a defining part of my Sewanee experience, providing hands-on exposure to all areas of business through internships, coursework, and networking opportunities. It has strengthened both my personal and professional growth while equipping me with the skills to succeed. I’ve applied these lessons directly in my current role at Hattie B’s, where I’ve taken ownership of launching and managing our program and quickly adapting to new tools. I’m incredibly grateful to the Babson Center for the opportunities and foundation it has given me.”

"The Carey Fellowship has been one of the most formative and distinctive parts of my experience at Sewanee, fully realizing the promise that first drew me there: a liberal arts education that does not come at the expense of practical preparation, but instead strengthens it. The Carey Fellowship, through its emphasis on exposure to professional settings and hands-on experience, has complemented my studies in English by helping me to understand how I might apply the skills cultivated in the classroom to the real world. My internship at Troutman Pepper Locke provided fantastic insight into the operations of a large law firm, refining my broad interests in law and business into much clearer goals for my future that will guide me throughout law school and into the early steps of my career."  

Reflections

Reflections