ResNavs wrap up their winter appointments on the last day of classes, resuming in May with a smaller spring/summer staff. (Make an appointment here.) As an entire student body, we look ahead. From beaches in Thailand, to work in NYC, to assisting in the dental clinic (while studying for the DAT), we ask, "What's next?"
Kathryn | Summer ResNav, Clerking, MaCCS Institute, Camp Michigania. Directly following my last final on April 29th, I will be working for a local law firm as an office clerk and possibly getting into some tutoring opportunities for a couple weeks. I will also be working as a Resource Navigator in the beginning portion of the summer (until June 21). Then, I will be on campus all day – everyday – doing the month-long MaCSS Scholars Summer Institute which will help prepare me for my fall math classes and beyond. After the institute, I will be headed to Charlevoix, Michigan, to work at Camp Michigania for two months right up until the fall 2025 term starts! I will be working in children's programs, likely crafts and/or fitness, and am looking forward to getting more experience working with kids. Side note: This June marks three years that I have been a dance teacher and the second spring showcase I get to be a part of, which I am super excited about!
Ronen | Graduation, Travel & NYC (Ultimately). Looking ahead, I have a lot of exciting opportunities coming up after my graduation. Firstly, graduating from a prestigious school like the University of Michigan is a great accomplishment. I have put a lot of time and effort into getting to where I am today, and I am proud of myself for completing this great accomplishment. I love to travel, so after my graduation I am going on a trip to southeast Asia with some of my friends. The trip starts in Hong Kong, then we go to Vietnam, then Bangkok, Thailand and finally Bali. I am very excited. Afterwards I have some time at home and with family before I start my job as a Counselor for a teen tour. I will be staffing trips to Greece and Italy. Then, after another short time at home I am starting my full-time job working in Asset Management at DWS, an affiliate of Deutsche Bank. The orientation for the program I am working in is in Frankfurt, Germany, so it is another cool opportunity to travel and experience and new city. I am excited to start this new chapter of my life and eventually move to New York City, which has always been a goal of mine.
Nicole | Studying and Summer with Friends. With the spring term wrapping up, I am ending classes and my hours at my field placement. I am looking forward to a summer in Ann Arbor with friends and getting to take a few smaller trips with family and friends scattered throughout the break. In addition to working and volunteering, I’ll be studying for the social work licensing exam. This fall, I will start back up with classes and rejoin the behavioral health team at Hope for my advanced placement hours.
Rocco | Summer ResNav, Hawaii, LSAT and What IS Beyond? I would say that this past year has been my favorite of college so far. As a matter of fact, I can’t think of another year of my life that has provided me with more growth, opportunities, and experiences.
As my time in college winds down, I’m inundated with the question: What’s next? I plan on graduating in the fall of this year, and while that is somewhat nerve-wracking, I am embracing it. I have decided to take the LSAT soon, as Law School sounds like something I would enjoy.
This summer, I'll be around as a ResNav, but I am also extremely excited about a couple of trips I have planned. In late June, my family and I are heading out to Hawaii for a couple of weeks, which I can’t wait for. Being my last summer of undergrad, I also plan to take a couple of trips with friends. My roommates and I are planning a trip, so hopefully that comes to fruition.
My time at U-M has been some of the most instrumental of my life. I have learned more about Economics and other topics than I ever thought possible. Ultimately, I aim to figure out a way to ensure that the next few years allow me to grow as much as these few have done, and I am truly looking forward to beyond “What’s Next!” (Image: Bottom left, Rocco stands in the U-M Farm Stand and looks out toward the Diag in the distance.)
Pearl | Graduation, Japan, Bangkok and Home (Thailand). As graduation is around the corner, I’m feeling bittersweet but also excited about what’s happening next. This summer, I’ll be traveling with my family to Japan and Bangkok — two places I’ve always loved for their food and culture. It’ll be a meaningful time to reset and reflect before diving into my new chapter.
Over the summer, I’m also looking forward to getting back into some of my favorite activities that I haven’t had as much time for lately. I plan to do more contemporary dance, Pilates, tennis, and painting. I’ve missed the feeling of movement and making things just for fun. Alongside that, I’ll continue growing my personal photography business and I’ll be illustrating doodles to sell as stickers and postcards. There’s also a chance I’ll pick up a new hobby this summer, something on the more active and playful side. And hopefully, I’ll be able to fit in a few more travel plans!
As for post-grad life, things are still up in the air. I’m actively recruiting and exploring job opportunities in design and development, and I’m hopeful the right opportunity will come at the right time!
Pranavi | Summer ResNav, Dental Assistant & DAT. This summer, I’ve got a busy but exciting schedule lined up. As a junior on the pre-dental track at the U-M, I’m using this time to really focus on preparing for the next step—dental school. A big part of that is studying for the DAT, which I’m planning to take toward the end of the summer. I’ve already started reviewing, but once my spring classes wrap up, I’ll be dedicating a lot more time to practice tests and content review. Outside of studying, I’ll be working as a dental assistant. I love being in the clinic—it’s helped me build confidence and given me a better understanding of patient care and clinical procedures. It’s also been a great way to stay motivated while prepping for the DAT because I get to see how what I’m learning applies in real life.
I’m also continuing my psychology research on campus in the Cognitive and Affective Neuropsychology Lab. We focus on topics related to decision-making and emotion, and it’s been a great experience to work on a project that connects science with real-world behavior. It’s helped me think more critically and has strengthened my communication and teamwork skills—something I know will be important in any healthcare setting. Along with all that, I’ll be shadowing dentists over the summer to get more exposure to the field. I’m hoping to shadow both general dentistry and some specialties like pediatric or oral surgery so I can learn about the different paths within dentistry and figure out what areas I’m most drawn to. Of course, I will be working as a Resource Navigator, too, on campus!
Outside of academics and professional development, I’m also looking forward to just enjoying the summer. I’ll be hanging out with friends, continuing my summer walks, and trying new food spots around Michigan—there’s always something cool to explore. I’m also planning a trip to New York to visit some of my friends, which will be a fun break from the grind and a chance to recharge a bit. On top of everything, I’m helping my sister move to Florida, so I’ll be taking a short trip down there to lend a hand. It’ll be nice to get out of state for a bit and spend time with family before things pick up again in the fall. This fall will be my senior year, and it’s going to be a big one. I’ll be applying to dental schools, wrapping up my last few classes, and continuing with research and other campus involvement. I’m hoping to finish strong and really make the most of my final year at Michigan. It’s a lot to juggle, but I feel ready for it and excited for what’s ahead! (Image: Bottom right, Filling tray I had to set up for a patient as an assistant, part of the work I would be doing this summer as an assistant!)