When I first set foot on Gettysburg’s campus as a student in 2009, I had a vague idea of what my career path might look like. But I never could have envisioned the journey after Gettysburg, which eventually led me to put down roots in Australia.
For many who attended Gettysburg, being on campus was a distinct point in time when you are immersed in the college bubble for four years. But for me, being “on campus” has been a constant in my life—it’s an environment I have actively sought out.
Some of my earliest memories are from growing up on the Hamilton College campus in Clinton, New York, where my grandparents were both professors. Since graduating from Gettysburg, I have been drawn to working in higher education, first in Pittsburgh and later in Australia. I love the swell of activity that is found on college and university campuses—the drive to get involved, to contribute to broader change, to make a difference.
While at Gettysburg, I was a Presidential Scholarship recipient and am incredibly grateful for the doors that higher education opened for me. It is because of the generosity of Gettysburg donors and the opportunities I received that I am deeply passionate about my philanthropy career.
Today, I lead the donor relations team at The Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, where I regularly draw on the experiences I had at Gettysburg, such as interning in the Communications and Marketing Office, serving as managing editor of The Mercury literary magazine, and learning to write on a broad range of topics. Like in the United States, many universities in Australia depend on private donor support to fund scholarships, research, and other programs that have a direct impact on society. My team regularly communicates with donors, from connecting them with scholarship recipients to sharing the value of a research area that alumni have banded together to support.
Part of what prepared me to navigate diverse work environments after graduation, whether in the United States or Australia, was the breadth of disciplines I studied at Gettysburg. Although I was an English major, I could also explore subjects like the history of jazz, the American Civil War as depicted in film, chemistry, and the philosophy of religion. In every class, we were encouraged to make connections across disciplines. This taught me to think creatively, seek out commonalities, and retain my thirst for knowledge in diverse areas. I also improved my writing and communication skills, which have been invaluable in my chosen career field.
My time outside of the classroom was equally beneficial to my development, as I gained leadership opportunities and learned to work collaboratively toward a common goal. I felt prepared for the future by participating in job shadowing and internship opportunities organized through the Center for Career Engagement, including at Franklin & Marshall College, Villanova University, Lebanon Valley College, and Celebrate Gettysburg magazine. Each of these experiences provided insights into working in an office setting, building relationships, growing my own network, and presenting myself professionally.
Perhaps one of the most life-changing opportunities during college wasn’t on campus at all—it was my semester abroad in Bath, England. This experience showed me how to live independently, embrace other cultures, and apply what I learned in the classroom to a new environment. I truly believe if I had not studied abroad, I would not have been open to moving overseas when the opportunity presented itself.
After getting my first job out of college through the Gettysburg Network, I continue to benefit from the life skills, learning, and longstanding relationships I developed at Gettysburg College. Those four transformative years on campus will stay with me forever, wherever in the world I may be.
by Liz Williams ’13
Posted: 07/17/24