Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills

Students often feel pressured to have everything figured out as they step into college, but the journey of UConn class of 2016 alumna Lila was anything but straightforward. Fueled by her ambition to seek financial independence and guided by persistence and flexibility, she was able to transform uncertainty into success.  

When Mark Zdunek first arrived at UConn, he carried the confidence of a high-honors high school student. But his first semester told a different story; a 2.3 first-semester GPA caught him off-guard and forced an early reckoning: college would require a new work approach.

Fostering Connections Through Belonging Blueprint: Linda Graves’ Student Success Story 

As students, faculty, and community members moved between project displays at the 2026 UConn Hartford micro-internship showcase, Linda Graves ‘27 (SSW) presented her project, titled Belonging Blueptrint, culminating weeks of work with faculty and community …

Ashley Cruz did not arrive at UConn with a perfectly mapped-out plan, but she acknowledges that uncertainty has shaped her growth just as much as clarity has. Raised in Franklin Township, New Jersey, in a community characterized by cultural diversity …

For Khadija Sana, accounting became a passion early on and has grown through meaningful experiences at UConn. From working with clients through the VITA program to learning from mentors across campus, she has developed the skills, discipline, and perspective needed for a successful career in the field.

When Matt Croteau graduated from UConn, he didn’t have a set plan, but by staying curious, embracing competition, and saying “yes” to new opportunities, he built a career that took him from psychology student to leading enterprise sales in New York City.