By Esmeralda Garcia-Ramirez, ’27
This is Esmeralda Garcia-Ramirez ’27 writing the 2024 Fall Term away with a special article. Not just any article….but an article about what some TRIO alumni have been up to since graduation. Underneath a huge load of papers and exams that pile up throughout the years at Carleton, there is always a “light at the end of the tunnel.” Graduation! I had the pleasure of speaking to a few members of the class of 2024 and learning what they have been doing post-Carleton. I was delighted to catch up with my FOCUS mentor from last year, Lettu Konshie, an economics major as well as Juanita Silva, a psychology and Spanish double major and Seven Delgado, a studio arts major. This is my exploration of what some TRIO alumni have been up to.

Lettu Konshie
Lettu Konshie is an Investment Analyst at the Bank of America. She mentioned that she applied for an internship at the Bank of America through a connection with an alum. Lettu expressed that Carleton made her inquisitive and improved her problem-solving skills while looking at the reasoning behind each problem. She mentioned a funny interaction with her boss at the Bank of Delmarva in which Lettu’s boss had asked her to complete a task. Lettu took the initiative and made it better, simply by being open to learning and trying new things.

Juanita Silva
Juanita Silva is pursuing a master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration at Michigan State University, a program focused on supporting and managing the student-facing aspects of higher education. She attributes much of her success to the guidance and support she received during her time at Carleton. Juanita had a strong network of support, starting with her TRIO advisors. She expressed immense gratitude for Kim Hildahl, her primary advisor, describing her as incredibly kind, always knowing the right thing to say, and skilled at making meaningful connections. She also gave a shout-out to Karina Sierra, a previous TRIO advisor, who was equally supportive.

Seven Delgado
Seven Delgado works as a graphic designer at KNOCK Inc., an advertising agency based in the Twin Cities. Alongside this, Seven is pursuing their passion for art on the side. Reflecting on the journey since Carleton, Seven shared that their professional path began with an internship at a nonprofit organization. This internship, which a TRIO staff member had recommended, eventually turned into a full-time position after graduation. Seven emphasized the significance of mentorship and connections with alumni. Being new to the area, they found these resources invaluable for networking and community-building.
If there is something in common between these three Carl alumni, TRIO was a huge contributor to their academic journey. As Lettu mentioned, TRIO was a “tremendous” help with the high costs of textbooks for classes that allowed her to explore a wide range of courses. The Lending Library was a huge assistance for all the alumni and made the cost of books not so “daunting” as Juanita comments. For Juanita, TRIO meant a loving community, a community that shared “a lot of identities and qualities with communities and felt homey.”
Events such as Comfort Food Friday, the First Generation Dinner, and other events allowed the alumni to explore more during their time at Carleton. For Seven, the workshops that TRIO put together were an essential part of how she interacts with events for her position at KNOCK Inc. Information provided during these workshops like financials, networking, and career development, helped navigate both Carleton and the outside world.
While TRIO provides incredible resources to navigate college life, hearing from alumni and their voices provides a unique perspective on making the most out of any opportunity. A common piece of advice that all alumni mentioned was don’t feel “discouraged.” Everyone’s journey here at Carleton is unique, and there is “no right way” to control your experience. This can mean trying not to compare yourself to others. You are your own person and if you ever feel alone or isolated, there are people who think and look like you.
At Carleton, you’ll find people to connect with, but beyond campus, there’s an entire community of amazing and interesting individuals waiting for you. Don’t stress too much about the future. If you put in the work, like researching, seeking advice, and taking intentional steps, it will workout. Trust in yourself and your efforts, you belong at Carleton.