Organizational Studies celebrates our graduating seniors by highlighting their outstanding accomplishments and inviting them to reflect on their OS experience.

Paige Badenhorst

What is your favorite OS memory?

Friends-giving during 305 in the weird basement room in the CHEM building!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Enjoy this time to explore your different interests and challenge yourself with classes that you wouldn't necessarily think to choose at first glance. I have loved the variety that the OS program has provided and how it has allowed me to learn about all sorts of different topics and issues.

Natalie Cadotte

What is your favorite OS memory?

Having conversations with coffee farmers in Costa Rica really enhanced my understanding of international markets, and I am so grateful for that exposure!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Befriend the people in your cohort early. The connections you make here will make your OS experience that much more meaningful!

What're your post grad plans?

First on the agenda is a road trip to the east coast. Then I'll start working in the Detroit area!

Mark Castaneda

What is your favorite OS memory?

3 hours of 305 together on a monday night.... iconic class.

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Get to know everyone in your cohort! They are so dope, cool, and diverse, and there's a reason that you are all together. Try to take any OS classes you can! Enjoy your time to be social at UMich, because any day a global pandemic could come along and cut it way too short. And, definitely study abroad if you can!

 

Jean Cutter

What is your favorite OS memory?

My favorite OS memory was the time I spent in the Weiser 8th floor atrium spending time with OS friends between classes or "studying". I really have loved the connections I have made in the OS community!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Make the effort to reach out to OS classmates and build friendships outside of the classroom.

What're your post grad plans?

This summer, I will be interning at Duo Security with their Employee Programs team! After the internship, I will (hopefully) be placed in a school in Spain to be a English language conversation assistant through the NALCAP program for a year. 

Lauren Farley

What is your favorite OS memory?

My favorite OS memory is when we had OS Friendsgiving in our 305 class. It was so fun not only to share a meal with all of the people in my cohort but also to see what Thanksgiving traditions were special to people. It was a sweet time to socialize with friends and learn about different people's cultures and upbringings!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

I would tell them to lean into the OS community. OS is so unique in that it provides this tight knit community of very intelligent and successful people. It is such a great opportunity to get to know some amazing people that are outside of your normal circles!

What're your post grad plans?

I am getting married at the end of May and will be moving to Dallas to start a job with the Texas Rangers MLB team in sponsorship activation!

Charles Gay

What is your favorite OS memory?

The whole-class Thanksgiving was really awesome, and by far my favorite memory! 

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Get active, meet your classmates and definitely get to know the advisors because they really are the best. 

What're your post grad plans?

Moving to Boston to start my new job!

Liz Hoornstra

What is your favorite OS memory?

I loved taking OS 405: Negotiations with many members of my cohorts. It was great to role-play the negotiations and ended in many laughs!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Reach out to as many alumni as possible! The OS network is vast and there is always someone willing to share their experience! Even if you think you know what you want to do, continue to push yourself to learn more about your chosen career path.

Izzie Jacobs

What is your favorite OS memory?

Friendsgiving potluck with the Senior cohort!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Take every opportunity you can. Network with alumni, establish a relationship with your professors, and try your best to make new friends within your cohort!

What're your post grad plans?

Waiting to hear back from some jobs and grad programs but moving to the city most likely! 

Simran Jagirdar

What is your favorite OS memory?

I loved going to WiL events my junior and senior year! It was amazing to get to know both cohorts and see everyone outside of class! 

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

The OS community is incredible, so be as involved in the major as you can be :)

What're your post grad plans?

I'll be road-tripping with friends and family before starting my job in Detroit!

Dahlia Katz

What is your favorite OS memory?

Last semester I was worried about having to complete the OS 410 semester long group project virtually. However, I ended up loving my group. We all got extremely close and had so much fun at our meetings even though they were on zoom!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Make sure to take time to really get to know your cohort! I have loved spending time with members of my cohort outside of class and I am so grateful for all of the incredible friendships I have developed through OS. 

What're your post grad plans?

This summer I am traveling with my family to the national parks, and this fall I am moving to New York to work as a Human Capital Analyst at Deloitte! 

Rachel Klein

What is your favorite OS memory?

Friendsgiving in 305!! It was so much fun to hang out with everyone and the food was amazing!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Get involved! Go to events, join clubs, and meet new people! OSers are a unique and awesome group of people. Make sure to get to know each other!

What're your post grad plans?

Summer camp!

Mikayla Kruse

What is your favorite OS memory?

My favorite OS memory has to be either the first time the 2021 cohort was able to have a get-together at Mark’s house, or all of the funny moments from OS 310 collectively. I also had a lot of fun at the basketball game OS went to last year!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Definitely try to get to know as many people as you can from your cohort, there are so many awesome and unique individuals who are admitted into OS. Also, senior year goes by SO fast, so try to slow down and enjoy your time at Umich as much as possible!

What're your post grad plans?

I'll be starting my position as an HR Analyst at Citi in July, and I plan on eventually moving to New York!

Ian Kwant

What is your favorite OS memory?

Negotiations with Professor Soderstrom, the entire class was such a blast and I got to know my cohort members better through negotiating with them.

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Take as many OS specific classes as you can, the OS professors are incredible.

What're your post grad plans?

Visiting plenty of national parks and then working in Ann Arbor, MI in the Leadership Development Program for E&J Gallo Wineries.

Charlotte Landzberg 

What is your favorite OS memory?

When Kelly Bertoni did a backbend in 305!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Get to know everyone in your cohort! OSers are some of the best people on campus :)

What're your post grad plans?

Roadtrip down the west coast and through the Rockies with friends before beginning my job doing HR for Morgan Stanley in New York.

Kim Lao

What is your favorite OS memory?

My favorite OS memory is living with (and taking all the same classes as) fellow OSer @jeancutter, because we could sit next to each other in online class everyday!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Get to know everyone in your cohort! I've met some of the coolest, funniest, and most inspiring people through OS, and couldn't imagine the last two years without them. Also, embrace the group projects! Who knows - you may end up spending every Friday picnicking with your 305 Case Study #4 group :) 

Jenna Lebowitz

What is your favorite OS memory?

OS thanksgiving! 

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Get to know your classmates! Class can be so fun when you are engaged and learning with your friends! 

What're your post grad plans?

Moving to New York City in August to start a new job! 

Sydney Malkin

What is your favorite OS memory?

The OS 310 Organizations Fair—getting to see everyone's work throughout the semester and seeing all my group's hard work studying Toms Shoes pay off!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Take advantage of the 2 years you have with OS: the networking opportunities, getting to know your cohort, taking as many of the cool OS classes as you can.

What're your post grad plans?

Traveling (if I can) and moving to NYC!

Anita Michaud

What is your favorite OS memory?

Going to Costa Rica with Steve to research and learn more about coffee sustainability and traceability! I got to hike through waterfalls, sample dozens of coffees, and hang out with OrgStudies friends. I've been able to meet some of my best friends at U of M through the OS program - I am forever grateful to share this experience with everyone in the cohort these past two years!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Now is your time to take risks! Take advantage of OS's flexible curriculum by taking classes on subjects you know nothing about, you never know what you might learn...

What're your post grad plans?

Moving to New York City this summer after road tripping with friends down the Pacific Coast! I'm also looking forward to visiting my family in England once COVID is better. 

Lexi Posey

What is your favorite OS memory?

Getting so close with my OS 410 research group!

What is a piece of advice for younger OSers?

Get to know as many people as possible in your cohort, they’re some of the best people you’ll meet :)

What're your post grad plans?

Hopefully starting a new job in Chicago or New York!

Claire Purdy

What is your favorite OS memory?

My favorite OS memory was participating in the Malkin Shadowing program!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Take as many OS courses as possible, and form connections with your cohort and professors!

What're your post grad plans?

I will be moving to Chicago to begin a Management Development position at McMaster-Carr.

Ryan Rich

What is your favorite OS memory?

Honestly, just all the time spent on 8th Weiser - I spent a lot of time in (and waiting outside) of our classroom, chilling with people there, the atrium - we were just always there and I always saw so many of us, it was kinda like home.

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

You can literally do whatever you want with this degree, so definitely take advantage of that freedom to use/shape it into something you really enjoy.

What're your post grad plans?

Moving to Philadelphia to start a new job as a full-time research assistant in a neuroimaging psychology lab - then applying to PhD's in Educational Neuroscience.

Leor Rosen

What is your favorite OS memory?

My favorite OS memory was working with my 410 group in the fall. We spent countless hours together on zoom and even though it was virtual we all became really close and bonded! 

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Spend time with your OS cohort outside of class! Some of my closest friends have come out of OS and i'm so thankful!

What're your post grad plans?

I'm going to be spending two years working as a Legal Assistant at a law firm in New York before going to law school!

Jordan Schuler

What is your favorite OS memory?

Sitting in a Ross study room for hours and hours brainstorming for memo 3 with Dahlia and Leor. After all our brainstorming, our friend came in and had an idea within 5 minutes. Although the memo may have been a lot of work, since then, we've become really great friends. If it weren't for them, I'm not sure who I would've gone on walks with over the course of the pandemic!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Use OS as a chance to explore. Although my pathway is about law and social change, I took a research class on coffee production in Costa Rica. Even if the subject may not seem be directly applicable to your career, not only will you end up finding ways that it is, but the skills you gain will be valuable regardless. Plus, every new OS class is a chance to get to know your fellow OSers, which almost always leads to new lifelong friendships.

What're your post grad plans?

I'll be heading to Law School!

 

Morgan Solomon

What is your favorite OS memory?

Thanksgiving potluck with my OS cohort!

What're your post grad plans?

I'll be moving to DC!

Sarah Schepis

What is your favorite OS memory?

Eating Zingerman's on the 8th floor!

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Try to take classes outside of your immediate interests! You never know, you might find a new passion!

What're your post grad plans?

Not sure yet! Definitely spending times with family and friends. I'm waiting to hear back from grad schools but I'm hoping to go into HR at politically adjacent organizations or nonprofits!

Alice Shih

What is your favorite OS memory?

I'd say my favorite OS memories are the random moments when I would bumb into OS peers at Weiser 8th floor and was just able to talk to people so freely :).

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Don't be afraid to reach out to your cohort! 

What're your post grad plans?

Spending another year for Master's at UofM :) !

Melanie Stamelman

What is your favorite OS memory?

It's so hard to pick just one memory! It feels odd to say this, but I absolutely loved all of the OS group projects. It was so exciting meeting and getting to know my cohort in our frantic group projects in OS 305 and OS 310.

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

OSers are truly some of the best people you will meet. They are all so unique, yet passionate, intelligent, and kind. Make the extra effort to get to know your peers outside of the classroom early and often. They will forever be valuable friends and resources!

What're your post grad plans?

I will eventually be moving to start working as a Content Designer at Facebook! Until then, I plan on getting in some extra time with family and friends, hopefully somewhere on a beach :)

Maria Ulayyet

What is your favorite OS memory?

Traveling to DC to take part in the Malkin Shadowing program where I got to job shadow an OS alum 

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Take advantage of the flexibility of the coursework and explore all of your interests!

What're your post grad plans?

Joining Venture for America as a Fellow!

Brianne VanDyke

What is your favorite OS memory?

Any social gathering that our cohort had together (shoutout Mark's basement and Anita's house <3) + the trip to Costa Rica (despite the eggs).

What is a piece of advise for younger OSers?

Take the time to get to know your OS cohort and community. Coming into the program as a junior means that you probably already have your social circle at Michigan, but open that up to your classmates in Org Studies. People in the program are so cool in so many different ways--let yourself experience that.