One year ago, my schedule was filled from morning to night. Club meetings, campus events, writing deadlines and conversations that stretched far beyond the classroom.
Today, my days look different, and for a while I wasn’t sure what to do with that.Graduating meant stepping away from a version of life that had become second nature to me. At Drew, I found a rhythm—one built on constant movement, connection and purpose. There was always somewhere to be, somewhere to contribute to and someone to show up for.
Then, almost overnight, that rhythm was gone.The adjustment wasn’t immediate. The first few months after graduation felt uncertain—not in a dramatic way, but in a quieter way. Without the built-in structure of campus life, I had to figure out what my days would look like on my own.
Over time, that structure started to take shape again—just in a different form. This past year, I’ve had the opportunity to grow professionally in ways I didn’t fully expect so soon. I moved up twice at work; first into an assistant store manager role, and more recently into a store manager position. Each step came with new responsibilities and a different kind of pressure, but also a clearer understanding of what it means to lead.
At Drew, leadership meant building community and working alongside peers. In the workplace, it means making decisions, supporting a team and being accountable in a different way. The foundation is still the same. Showing up, being consistent and putting others in a position to succeed.
Outside of work, my connection to Drew didn’t end at graduation. I joined the College Alumni Association and now serve as class secretary for the Class of 2025. These roles have given me the opportunity to stay connected to the university in a new way.
With these roles, I’ve found myself returning to campus throughout the past academic year. Each visit feels familiar, but different. The routines have changed, but the sense of belonging is still there. What I didn’t expect was how much I would miss the smaller, everyday parts of Drew. Not just the big moments, but the routine and being part of something that was constantly moving forward.
At the same time, this year has made one thing clear: I didn’t leave those experiences behind. The skills I built at Drew have followed me into this next chapter. I’ve relied on them in real situations, whether it’s leading a team, navigating challenges or stepping into responsibilities I once would have hesitated to take on.
At Drew, involvement happened naturally. After graduation, it becomes a choice. Building connections, creating structure and continuing to grow all take intention. But that intention matters.
There have been moments where things didn’t feel as clear as I expected them to be; but I’ve come to understand that not everything needs to be figured out right away. Looking back, this past year hasn’t been defined by one single moment. Instead, it’s been a series of smaller steps: adjusting, learning and continuing to move forward.
And through all of it, one thing has remained consistent: Drew gave me the foundation to navigate this transition. It taught me how to step into new spaces, how to lead and how to build something meaningful. Those lessons didn’t stay on campus. They’ve carried over into everything I’ve done since. One year later, I’m still building. I’m still learning. I’m still figuring out what comes next. But I’m doing it with the confidence that I’ve done it before.
Benjamin Castro is an alumni who graduated in 2025.
