<p><span class="p-body">Mariam Diakite, a sophomore at NYU SPS from East Harlem, has always viewed the women in her family, especially her older sister, as an inspiration. &quot;They have served as excellent examples of how to prevail and work hard in the face of many obstacles in life,&quot; she says. &quot;Their ability to overcome challenges and never give up on development has had a significant impact on me.&quot;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Diakite was inspired to join NYU SPS through the <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/homepage/academics/career-pathways-bridge-program.html" target="_blank">Career Pathways Bridge Program</a> in the fall of 2023. The Career Pathways Bridge Program, which emphasizes balancing academics with career development, resonated with her, especially since she knew she wanted to work throughout college.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Diakite's first semester was a bit challenging due to the nature of transitioning to college, but she describes her overall experience at NYU SPS as positive. &quot;Every day at NYU has presented different experiences, challenges, and hurdles, which I've overcome,&quot; she shares. &quot;Once I adjusted, I came to love the school, and I'm grateful for the support I've received along the way, which continues to guide me.&quot;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">She has particularly embraced hands-on learning experiences, such as her<i> Business Organization &amp; Management</i> course. &quot;I learned about the various aspects of managing and running a business, including the key metrics involved,&quot; she recalls. &quot;This helped me much in my work, since it made me more conscious of the important factors that a company needs to succeed. This course will be beneficial for my future professional career, regardless of the organization I choose to work with.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">According to Diakite, her time at SPS has greatly contributed to her ability to succeed in her field by teaching her how to balance work alongside being a student. She plans to pursue a career in analytics, specifically a position where she can help people discover solutions to their problems and be of assistance to them. &quot;SPS' strong career focus and the support it provides–including access to valuable resources–have been essential in helping me manage both responsibilities effectively,&quot; she explains.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">The proudest moment in Diakite's memory as a student has been successfully completing her freshman year while working full-time. Balancing the demands of rigorous coursework with the responsibilities of a full-time job was difficult and required work and dedication. But despite the challenges, she persevered and found a workable balance between her academic and professional responsibilities.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">&quot;Achieving this balance not only validated my capacity to handle various duties, but also gave me a tremendous sense of success and fulfillment,&quot; she concludes. &quot;The experience improved my adaptability and time management abilities, making the entire journey quite rewarding.&quot;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">If you're a new NYU SPS student, Diakite's advice to you is to give yourself time to adjust to the campus, courses, and the university community. &quot;The climate at NYU can be fast-paced and stressful at first, and it's natural to feel lost,&quot; she muses. &quot;Accept this transitional phase and practice self-compassion while navigating unfamiliar experiences and opportunities. Take everything in and enjoy the journey, as NYU has an abundance of resources and experiences to offer.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Take the next step in your career by pursuing an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/aas-in-information-systems-management.html" target="_blank">AAS in Information Systems Management</a> from the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-applied-undergraduate-studies.html" target="_blank">Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies</a> at NYU SPS today.</span></p>