Wardah Basil

Author: Wardah Basil

Reflecting on My Experience as a Career Peer Educator

This term marks my third term working at the Career Center as a Career Peer Educator for Visual and Performing Arts. Looking back, this role has been one of the most meaningful parts of my academic year because it has helped me grow both personally and professionally. As a CPE, I have had the chance to support other students, write articles, practice professional skills, and learn more about my own career goals.

One of the most memorable experiences from this year was working on a project where we talked with Lawrence alumni about their experiences as graduate students. Since I am also thinking about graduate school in the future, this project felt especially useful and personal to me. It was helpful to hear directly from Lawrence graduates about their application process, the challenges they faced, and the strategies that helped them succeed. Their advice gave me a clearer idea of what to expect and made the idea of applying to graduate school feel less overwhelming.

You can read those articles here: 

  1. Grad School Tips from Isabel Dorn ’25
  2. Grad School Advice from Nazlee Harunani’25

Another memorable experience was practicing interview questions with Grace Kutney and the other CPEs during our staff meetings. These practice sessions always felt like a judgment-free zone, which made it easier to try, make mistakes, and learn from each other. Over time, I have become much more confident in how I speak, organize my answers, and respond to interview questions. The bond we share during those meetings means a lot to me, and it has made the Career Center feel like a supportive community.

One of my favorite memories was also sharing the news that I got a summer internship and seeing everyone at the Career Center be genuinely happy for me. That moment reminded me that the Career Center is not just a workplace. It really feels like a family where people support and celebrate each other.

Through this role, I also had the chance to explore different career-related topics through writing. One article I wrote was about my experience completing a Forage simulation with Lloyds Banking Group, where I learned more about UX design. I have always been interested in UX design, so this was a great chance to understand the field better and reflect on what I learned. You can read my article here: Learning UX Design with Lloyds Banking Group: My Forage Experience

I also wrote an article about how students can start building a photography career even if they do not have a professional camera or expensive equipment. This topic was important to me because many students feel like they need perfect tools before they can begin, but sometimes starting with what you already have, even just a phone, is enough. You can read that article here: Starting a Photography Career with What You Already Have

Professionally, I have grown in several ways through my work as a CPE. First, I have become more confident in communication, especially when practicing interviews, talking with students, and writing for a student audience. Second, I have learned how to reflect on career experiences and turn them into helpful resources for others. Third, I have become more open to learning about different opportunities I can explore, such as completing Forage simulations and researching graduate school options.

Overall, being a Career Peer Educator has helped me understand career development in a more personal way. It has not only allowed me to help other students, but it has also helped me learn more about myself, my goals, and the kind of professional I want to become.

Grad School Advice from Nazlee Harunani’25

Thinking about grad school but not sure where to start? Nazlee Harunani ’25 has been there. Now at Wake Forest University School of Medicine studying neuroscience, she knows what it takes to make the leap from Lawrence to grad school, and she’s sharing what worked for her. Nazlee has always been focused on her goals, and her story shows that with planning, preparation, and a little persistence, grad school is doable, even when you’re moving far from home for the first time.

No gap year

Nazlee didn’t take a gap year because she didn’t want to be out of school for a whole year. She did feel a bit burned out sometimes, but because she had been doing research over the summers, it kept her on track and ready for the next step.

Choosing the right program

For Nazlee, the most important things were:

Location – she wanted somewhere warmer than the Midwest.

Program & faculty – she wanted a strong research program with supportive faculty.

Preparation – the research she did at Lawrence helped her feel ready for grad school.

Moving away came with challenges, like adjusting in a new city, being far from family, but overall she really enjoys her program.

Applying to grad school

The hardest part was the personal statement.

She started preparing in October of her junior year.

Her advice: start early! Doing work over the summer helps, and submitting applications early is a big plus.

Other tips from Nazlee

Know what you want to study before you start applying. Email admissions if you need help, they might give waivers or advice. Use your undergrad research experience, it really helps you feel prepared. Grad school can feel scary, but if you plan ahead, start early, and know what you want, it’s totally doable. Nazlee’s experience shows that staying focused, organized, and proactive makes the process a lot more manageable, and even exciting!

Starting a Photography Career with What You Already Have

A lot of students are interested in photography, but it can be hard to know where to start. Sometimes it feels like you need an expensive camera, a full portfolio, or a lot of experience before you can take it seriously. But honestly, you do not need to have everything figured out right away. You can start with what you already have, even if that is just the phone in your pocket.

If you want to become a professional photographer, the most important thing is to keep practicing. Take pictures of your friends, campus events, nature, buildings, or even random things you see during the day. The more photos you take, the more you learn what looks good, what kind of lighting works, and what style you like. You do not have to be perfect in the beginning. You just have to keep trying.

Building an audience also takes time. You can start by posting your photos on Instagram or creating a small online portfolio. You can also offer to take photos for student organizations, events, or friends. At first, your audience might just be people you know, and that is okay. Every photographer starts somewhere. The important thing is to share your work and let people see what you can do.

It is also good to think about how much time you actually have. As students, we already have classes, jobs, homework, and other responsibilities. You might not have time to do a big photoshoot every week, but maybe you can take photos once a week or edit for a little bit when you have free time. Small steps still count.

Equipment is helpful, but it should not stop you from starting. If you only have your phone, use your phone. Learn about angles, natural light, backgrounds, and editing. Later, when you want to try more equipment, Lawrence students can check out cameras from the library. This is a really good way to practice with better gear without having to buy it right away.

Photography is not just about having the best camera. It is about how you see things and how you tell a story through pictures. So if you are interested in photography, start now. Use what you have, practice when you can, share your work, and keep learning. Your first step might already be in your pocket.

Learning UX Design with Lloyds Banking Group: My Forage Experience

I’ve always been curious about what UX (user experience) design really is and how designers create digital products that are easy and enjoyable to use. Recently, I explored this through the UX Design Introduction Job Simulation with Lloyds Banking Group on Forage, and it was both eye-opening and very helpful.

In this simulation, I took on the role of a junior UX designer, working as part of a team tasked with creating a new digital banking feature. My first challenge was to conduct a competitive analysis, researching what other banks were offering and analyzing customer spending data. This helped me understand how companies identify market trends and make decisions based on data, skills that are useful in almost any field.

Next, I focused on customer research, designing surveys and observing user behavior to see what real customers need. This experience taught me practical ways to collect feedback, analyze patterns, and use insights to make digital products easier and more enjoyable to use. I especially enjoyed learning how UX design combines research, creativity, and problem-solving. It showed me that great design is not just about aesthetics, but about truly understanding the user.

This simulation was incredibly helpful because it gave me a hands-on experience with real-world UX tasks. It clarified concepts I had only read about and gave me tools I can use in the future, whether in design, marketing, or other creative projects. For someone like me, always curious about UX, it was a clear way to see how research and creativity come together to improve user experiences.

Overall, completing this simulation strengthened my skills in research, analysis, and designing with the user in mind, and it gave me confidence in exploring careers that combine creativity and data-driven decision-making.

Try it for yourself: https://www.theforage.com/virtual-experience/N65hfzBKXRiATv6yd/lloyds-banking-group/ux-design-introduction-xhef/intro-scenario

Trying Marketing with Forage

I wanted to get a real feel for what marketing work is like, so I tried the Marketing Explorer simulation by Forage. It’s a short, self-paced program that lets you step into different marketing roles through realistic, hands-on scenarios. In just 30–40 minutes, I got to try tasks that professionals actually do, from creative strategy to data analysis and customer research, giving me a clear sense of what a marketing career could be like.

The simulation gave me a taste of how creative, analytical, and customer-focused skills all come together in marketing. It’s a great way to explore different roles, practice real-world skills, and see which parts of marketing might suit you best, all without the pressure of grades.

My experience: As a Film Studies student, I’ve always been curious about marketing and how creative ideas reach the right audience. This simulation let me apply storytelling and problem-solving skills in a marketing context. It helped me understand how different roles connect, explore what I enjoy, and gain confidence about exploring a career in marketing.

Try it for yourself: https://www.theforage.com/simulations/pearson/marketing-oxce

Grad School Tips from Isabel Dorn ’25

Thinking about grad school? Isabel Dorn ’25, now at Seattle University School of Law, has some practical advice for Lawrence students who want to take the leap. Here’s how she did it:

Start early and plan ahead
 Isabel started thinking about law school in sophomore year. She didn’t take a gap year or work first because she wanted stability and knew this was her top choice. Preparing early made a huge difference in handling the process without panic.

Do your research

  • Look for schools that offer full rides or at least cover most of tuition
  • Check GPA and LSAT stats for the schools you apply to; being above both medians increases your chances of receiving scholarships, but some students below the median still get offers
  • Read school websites carefully, they often share transparency about scholarships and admissions chances

Visit if you can
 Isabel says online research is helpful, but visiting a campus is even better. You get a feel for:

  • The campus vibe
  • How easy it is to get around
  • What living there might actually feel like

Applications take time

  • LSAT was tough and time-consuming.
  • Personal statements and supplemental essays were the hardest part, she made sure they were perfect and aligned with each school’s values.
  • Starting early helped, she began researching and studying summer before junior year and submitted applications on a rolling basis by December.

Her advice to students:

  • Know yourself and what works for you.
  • Look at how others do it, but adapt it to your style.
  • Don’t stress about being “behind”, just make a schedule that works and give it your best shot.

Takeaway:
 Grad school can feel overwhelming, but Isabel’s story shows that if you plan early, do good research, and stay organized, it’s totally doable.