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In early September, I had the honor of addressing hundreds of members of the incoming class of 2029 at the College of Arts and Sciences’ Induction Ceremony, a special way to welcome new college students to the Bloomington campus, with an added dash of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Looking out at a sea of bright faces, I was reminded how quickly four years can pass and how these first months at IU can set the tone for all that follows.
I’m a senior studying organizational and business psychology in the College, with a minor in human resources management in the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Looking back, I realize my own journey has been shaped less by a straight line and more by unexpected turns, opportunities and connections. I’ve learned how to thrive at IU, and by sharing my experiences, I hope others can use them to chart their own paths to fulfillment and success.
Explore opportunities and find what fits
Since my freshman year, I’ve learned a few lessons. First, it’s about the journey, not just the destination. Yes, graduating matters, but how you spend your time here, who you meet and how you grow are just as important.
When I first arrived at IU, I thought I would study clinical psychology and focus on research about the brain. Through the College’s ASURE (Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience) program, I joined Professor Benjamin Ramsden’s lab as a freshman, where I learned to use electroencephalogram technology to measure brain activity. I performed scans, interpreted wave patterns and gained valuable hands-on experience.
It was exciting work but I realized research wasn’t the career path for me. Learning this early helped me pivot toward something new — and that’s completely normal. College is as much about discovering what doesn’t fit as about finding what does.
For those of you who may face the same uncertainty, IU offers the College’s Q295 Life Design course. It gives students practical tools to explore majors and careers and approach decisions with curiosity rather than fear. It’s designed for students from every major because, at some point, everyone feels unsure about their academic journey, and it can help you determine your next steps with confidence and intention.
For me, one of those steps was a study abroad program through O’Neill. I spent two weeks in Germany and one week in Italy, funded in part by a scholarship, while earning credit toward my HR minor. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that immersed me in new cultures, taught me about economic development in an international context and gave me friendships and stories I’ll carry forever.
Importantly, that experience showed me the value of stepping out of my comfort zone. Once I was back on campus, I applied that same mindset to my academic journey. As a liberal arts and sciences major interested in business, I took classes at the Kelley School of Business and built connections there by joining organizations such as a professional business fraternity and the Hoosier Consulting Network — all while staying rooted in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Your academic journey may not be linear — embrace it
Another key lesson I learned was college, like life, doesn’t always follow a straight path. Plans change, challenges appear and sometimes things don’t work out as expected. But that uncertainty has a beauty of its own, because it pushes us to adapt, welcome change and flourish in ways we might never have imagined.
For example, pivoting from clinical to organizational psychology gave me the best of both worlds that I was seeking: the depth and flexibility of a major at the intersection of the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities, with the applied experience of a business curriculum.
Eventually, these experiences prepared me for an internship at Eli Lilly and Company, where I worked in human resources. I drew on the skills I had developed, such as cross-cultural awareness from study abroad, business literacy from Kelley, research and critical thinking from the college, and I applied them to solve real-world challenges for a global company. That internship affirmed for me how a liberal arts and sciences education equips you with skills that are both universal and indispensable throughout your life and career.
Connect and have fun outside the classroom
My journey wasn’t only about academics or career preparation. Some of my most meaningful experiences came from simply saying “yes” to opportunities outside the classroom. I joined an intramural volleyball team — without having ever played before — and found friends, laughter and balance.
It reminded me that growth doesn’t just happen in labs or libraries; it happens on the court, in clubs, in community and in those unexpected moments where you take a risk just to try something new.
As you begin your journey at IU, remember that these four years will fly by faster than you think. So, be intentional with your time, enjoy every moment and find what fuels your energy and passions. The memories and connections you create here will stay with you for a lifetime.
Ashley Gilmer ’26 is an organizational and business psychology major in the College of Arts and Sciences and has a human resources management minor in the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
