Cornell Annual Fund Stories

Sissi Beatriz Rey '10

What's the best part of her Cornell experience so far? "This may sound strange," says Sissi Rey, "but it's the opportunity to have so many opportunities. There are hundreds of classes, terrific professors (one was even taught by the Dean of the ILR School; I thought that was really cool), and good books for all the courses. The academic experience has been wonderful." Living on her own - far away from her mom in Texas - and with a roommate, have also provided good learning opportunities.

Sissi Beatriz Rey '10

Sissi applies the word "useful" to several of the courses she's taken. She's convinced that what she's learned in Labor Law, Collective Bargaining, Human Resources, and other courses at the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations are providing her with knowledge she'll need when she enters the business world. She's also appreciated the chance to take courses in Policy Analysis and Management at the College of Human Ecology - more "useful" knowledge for her business arsenal. Now Sissi is taking Spanish, honing her written proficiency in her native language, and adding one more practical skill to her resume. After graduation, she expects to work for a few years and gain some experience, probably in Human Resources, then go on for an MBA.

She's grateful for the opportunity to get to know a unique cross-section of people at Cornell, whom she otherwise would not have met. A native of Colombia, she is active in the Colombian Students Association and the Minority ILR Association. She knows the students on her dormitory floor, found natural connections with other native Spanish speakers, and has developed friendships with a wide array of international and American students through a variety of activities. Networking skills that will serve her well in business.

When Sissi first arrived at Cornell, she was "afraid it would be way too hard, but it's taught me a lot of discipline. When I got here, I discovered a lot of students were planning to go on to law school, and that was a little scary. It was a hard first year, but I learned a lot. The work is challenging but not impossible." Living in a small town in the Northeast provided still other new challenges. "I wasn't prepared for Ithaca winters," she says. She arrived without a warm coat. Now, better dressed for winter, she's discovered that it's possible to have fun even in the cold and snow; she gamely took a couple of snowboarding lessons.

After applying to a number of schools, Sissi chose Cornell for two reasons: the strength of the ILR School and the scholarships she received. "Without them, I would not have been able to come here." Fortunately, the financial aid package from Cornell was better than those from the other schools that were recruiting her. The Cornell Annual Fund was an important component in funding Sissi's scholarships.

Every dollar matters. Every person matters. Please make your gift to the Cornell Annual Fund this year and every year! Make a gift today!