IVY, the World’s First “Social University.”

This past semester, I had the privilege of being awarded the Kimberly & Rob Humphries Fellowship through the Elizabeth Somers Women’s Leadership Program. This fellowship was given to me with the intention of easing the financial burden of having an unpaid internship at a company called IVY, the world’s first “social university.” I chose to pursue this internship because the company’s mission resonated deeply with me: “to trigger transformative ideas and collaborations that lead to unprecedented human unity, progress, and fulfillment. Through meaningful experiences with inspiring individuals, IVY provides a lifelong supply of new friendships, opportunities, and ideas.” In other words, IVY connects individuals from a wide variety of professions, industries, and backgrounds, with the intention of building relationships to foster inter-industry collaboration. As a double major in International Economics and Dance with a diverse range of professional experiences, I felt drawn to and inspired by this mission, and was eager to get involved.

The internship turned out to be a fantastic and rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to meet a number of inspirational young professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and industries, develop skills in marketing, sales, research, and event planning, and ultimately was even offered a full-time position as Community Manager in their Los Angeles office. I accepted this offer without hesitation; I had thoroughly enjoyed my time at IVY here in DC, and had no doubt in my mind that I would not only enjoy the new role in LA but would also execute it well. I immediately began making plans to move across the country and start my new life in California.

If there’s one grand lesson I’ve learned from my experience this past semester, it’s that you can never be too comfortable or complacent - always stay hungry, stay eager, have a backup plan (or two, or three). When IVY headquarters called me in early May to inform me that they unfortunately needed to postpone all new hires - including myself - indefinitely due to a sudden and urgent lack of funding, and that I should seek out other employment opportunities, I was devastated. The position I had worked so hard to earn all semester was suddenly no longer a prospect. But after approximately 24 hours of grieving, I woke up and dusted myself off, ready to start fresh.

I applied for over twenty positions in just under a week, in the midst of final exams and my honors thesis defense. I reached out to every professional connection I could possibly imagine. And now, just a few weeks later, I have secured a new position that I am incredibly excited about. Starting in June, I will be working as a paid Production and Administrative Intern for Lineage Performing Arts Center in Pasadena, California, just outside of Los Angeles. I’m proud to say that I’ll be digging my heels directly into the industry that I love so dearly, the performing arts, and diving headfirst into my career.

I’m not a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, but I do believe that a lesson can be learned from every experience and life event. For that reason, I am grateful for my time at IVY - and the Humphries Fellowship for enabling it to happen in the first place - and the skills, perspective, and lessons that I gained as a result. In conclusion, I’d like to extend a huge thank you to the Women’s Leadership Program staff and the Kimberly & Rob Humphries Fellowship committee for supporting me and my efforts not only this past semester, but throughout college. And remember: stay hungry, stay eager, WLPers!

- Marlee Grant

B.A. in International Economics & Dance

Class of 2018 (WLP Class of 2014-15)