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MIT admissions official shares college and career insights

Dawna Levenson, assistant dean of admission at MIT Sloan School of Management, spoke to Santa Catalina School students about her educational and career path, lesser known jobs in STEM, and the college admissions process.

Levenson attended MIT as an undergraduate in the 1980s, when women counted for only 20 percent of the student body. As one of four sisters, she said she was always told that she can do anything she set her mind to. Most importantly, she said, she was able to ask people for help, and she urged Catalina students to do the same. Whatever their pursuits, she told them, “Figure out your strengths, your worth, and your values, and be comfortable with bringing in others to fill the gap. What matters is the end result. You’re not alone.”

Levenson spent 18 years as a consultant in software development. Once she decided that career was no longer for her, she doggedly pursued a return to MIT, where she has been for the past 17 years. In recounting her career trajectory, she offered advice to the students as they consider their own paths: be flexible, take chances, be persistent, and build a network.

Levenson also talked about a number of STEM careers for students to consider, raising possibilities that may not seem STEM-related at first glance. These included careers in sustainable fashion, concert production, and athletic performance. Many STEM careers offer the chance to work at the intersection of multiple fields, she said, and she advised students to follow their interests.

After her talk, students asked many questions about MIT, and a question about how to stand out in college applications led to a wealth of good advice from Levenson, from “follow the directions” to “be yourself.” It was an informative and entertaining talk that left students with much to consider.

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