Class of 2011: What’s Next for Binghamton’s Best

Dorothy, you are not in Binghamton anymore. With graduation just around the corner, these four BU it-girls discuss their future plans as well as reflect on their experiences at the “Premiere Public University.”

Anne Gole

This fall, Anne Gole will begin working in Business Advisory and Consulting at Ernst & Young. Anne has been a strong female voice in the School of Management since arriving to Binghamton. She is proud to define herself as the “only girl to participate in the school portfolio and analysis and trading room program” and as a member of the Executive Board of Finance Society. 

She is passionate about getting other students to enroll in Binghamton, describing that the Admissions Tour Guide Program gave her perfect training for her newly acquired position: “My most cherished moment at Binghamton is definitely when I became a tour guide. I never have had such a positive experience in my life that compares to it. I love meeting families and prospective students, and sharing with others all the wonderful experiences and opportunities Binghamton has provided for me. Tour guiding was a way to give back to the institution and better the school, but also have fun and meet new people.” 

Anne jokes that her biggest struggle at BU was finding a parking spot, a common trouble for girls on the go. She says, “Who would think that having a car on campus could make a person better enjoy riding the bus? Luckily, the distances walked (most of which were up-hill) to find my car built great muscle!”  It is this attitude that will continue to propel Anne towards success. She hopes to eventually open her own Real Estate Investment Trust that purchases hotel and commercial properties across the Northeast. 

Anne Gole is a passionate, friendly and hard-working student and will bring that into her career. She advises, “My advice for women still at Binghamton planning their careers is to always stay positive, motivated, and dream big. With hard work and the right attitude, you’ll be successful in everything you do.”
 
Dana Hudson

Dana Hudson has accepted a prestigious position in the New York City Teaching Fellowship for the next two years. For Dana, teaching is a passion which she has been able to express in her position at the Binghamton University Writing Center.  She explains that becoming at tutor was a “big confidence booster” and “made [her] feel an extra ounce of pride.” It was this “boost” that helped lead her to a career in teaching. 

For Dana, the Binghamton experience had its share of challenges. She describes struggles to find the balance between maintaining her academic and social lives. With support of her friends, she was able to acquire positive study skills.  She explains that she is surrounded by “hilarious people” who are constantly laughing and keep each other entertained.

Dana plans to stay in the field of education. Dana envisions her future as “making a difference as a teacher in a school in Brooklyn.”  The Teaching Fellows program will give her both the education and experience she needs to be an active participant in a school community. In addition to that role, she also desires to teach group exercise classes. Dana loves staying fit and would relish an opportunity to help others find their more fit self.

With her diligence and caring smile, Dana leaves an incredible legacy. Her advice for HC readers: “It’s very important not to rule anything out… Join a club that you are interested in and have fun participating in. It’s very important for women to learn how to become confident leaders and a club executive board is a great way to start building leadership skills.”

Jenna Goldin

Jenna Goldin will be attending a Masters’ Program at Hofstra University in Forensic Linguistics. She explains that this program is a dream, “I knew from the moment I was applying to college that I wanted to be a linguistics major. I have a love for languages and always have.”

Of course, even BU political power girls have academic struggles. For Jenna, the reality of graduation prompted her to find paths that combined her interests in linguistics and law. Forensic Linguistics was a perfect fit!  She says, “[Forensic Linguistics] is a new, emerging one which could be of interest to many college students who are interested in language, the law, or both.”

As the outgoing Executive Vice President of the Student Association, Jenna proved her ability to effectively communicate with Binghamton’s large amount of student groups. For Jenna, Binghamton has been an incredible learning experience. In addition to her “amazing friends” and meaningful opportunities, this has been a place for her to define herself. 

Jenna describes, “I have gained so much knowledge about myself and where my interests really are” and advises others to relax and enjoy their years here. She says, “Do not stress if you are unsure of your future upon graduation. You will figure out what you want to do. Don’t settle for something if it doesn’t make you happy.” 
 
 
 
Melissa Cardone
 
Melissa Cardone will be completing her nursing exams this summer and come September, will be working at the New York Methodist Hospital. Melissa is incredibly thankful for her close, personal relationships with Binghamton faculty and staff. She says, “My professors inspired me in so many ways and I became so excited to start my future in such an amazing and rewarding profession.”
 
Melissa described how her Binghamton legacy will persist in many ways. Years ago, when she was touring Binghamton, she was photographed shopping in the bookstore with her dad. Now, she is part of the University’s promotional material. She laughs, “They decided to use us as the advertisement for various brochures and emails. There’s nothing like getting a brochure mailed to your house with your face on it!”
 
For Melissa, her Binghamton BSN will hopefully propel her towards a Master’s Degree and a career as a nurse practitioner or midwife. She defends, “As nerdy as it sounds, I absolutely love to learn and have no intentions of stopping now!”

As for her advice to HC readers in any field, “Keep your eye on the prize. It’s so easy to forget that we come to college for something other than to have a good time, but as long as you always keep your goals in the back of your mind, you’ll do great!”