Dani Cadet '17 was a sociology major at Bryn Mawr and is now a a college and workforce development coordinator for Steppingstone Scholars, Inc.
She recently returned to campus as part of the Career & Civic Engagement Office’s Alumnae/i in Residence program.
In the below Q&A, Dani talks about her burgeoning career, her advice for current students, and more.
How did you get involved in your current field?
During my last semester at Bryn Mawr, I had no idea where I wanted to go with my sociology degree. I sent about 30 applications to all sorts of industries before graduating. In July of that year, I ended up in a field I never seriously considered before: law. I started working at the Federal Community Defender Office for the Southeastern District of Pennsylvania as a capital habeas paralegal. Working on death row appeals was an enriching and enlightening experience. My two-and-a-half years were filled with plenty of travel and professional development opportunities, motivating me to pursue a career in capital law. However, after my mother passed, I reflected for months and realized that I was not interested in law school; I was far more interested in the mental health expert reports I reviewed at work. I decided to start researching possible graduate programs. In the meanwhile, I moved onto a job that would allow me to diversify my skill set—although I was returning to my usual stomping grounds: education. I now work as a college and workforce development coordinator for Steppingstone Scholars, Inc., managing and developing after-school and workforce programs.
What part of your Bryn Mawr experience has been most important to your professional development?
Bryn Mawr produces a special kind of student leader. Students have the opportunity to take on leadership roles that they would not find on any other campus. The school also places a lot of faith in student leaders to operate with limited intervention from College staff. To this day, I draw on leadership experiences, such as serving on the Enid Cook '31 Center Committee and helping organize the Community Day of Learning, to inform my decision-making as a leader at work.
What career advice do you have for current Bryn Mawr students?
I cannot stress enough the importance of trusting the process. Now that I am in my mid-20s (wow), I can recognize how nearsighted I was in college. I found comfort in having a detailed life plan, but I lacked flexibility and confidence. As an undergraduate, I was in a constant state of anxiety, mulling over the missteps that I was sure had ruined my life forever. College Dani was not prepared to fall off track. Career Dani recognizes that a deviation from the path is not a deterrence from the goal and is no longer shaken by setbacks. I hope current students take advantage of Career & Civic Engagement and the services they offer. Their leadership assessments and school break intensives equipped me with a range of professional competencies and the language to discuss them. Those services contributed to the career confidence I have today. That confidence makes it easier for me to trust the decisions I make and feel secure about where I am in life.
What made you choose to attend Bryn Mawr?
When I applied to Bryn Mawr, the supplemental essay I wrote was called "Land Among the Stars." I wrote about how I always aim to surround myself with people who challenge and affirm me. I believed that Bryn Mawr was the kind of institution where I could surround myself with talented and accomplished students who would inspire holistic development.