Alumni Celeb: Hillary Mann

Name: Hillary Mann
Major: Political Science (minors in English and Sociology)
Occupation/Position: 1st grade teacher

What is one word of advice on adjustment for soon-to-be graduates?

It seems crazy for me to be giving advice to soon-to-be graduates since I was a Bucknell student just a mere six months ago. However, my one word of advice for soon-to-be graduates is to not “adjust,” but rather to take risks. Get out of your comfort zone and don’t apply to certain types of jobs and industries just because all of your friends are.  Don’t move to places just because you know a lot of people will be moving there.  The time after college is a time for self-reflection and growth, so make sure you are factoring your true self, needs, and desires into the post-grad decisions you are making and not everybody else’s needs and desires.  In the immortal words of Mark Twain, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”  Make sure you are making your post-grade decisions for YOU and no one else.

How do you keep in touch with your friends and Bucknell past while continuing to move forward?

One thing that I think my Bucknell friends and I have agreed upon about entering the real world (regardless of what job we have or what industry we are working for) is that keeping in touch with friends is very difficult when starting a first job.  No longer do we have the luxury of texting or calling our friends as we walk to the library or back to our downtown houses after a day of classes.  Free time is more restricted now than ever before.  I try to call and text my friends in the morning before work and right when I get into bed (which is usually five minutes before I pass out.)  Now that I have been teaching for a couple of months and feel more confident in my teaching instruction, I want to make my communication with my amazing Bucknell friends more consistent and regular.  My goal (starting after Thanksgiving break) is to text and call my friends on a weekly basis.  BUCKNELL FRIENDS: you can hold me to this!

Despite the initial irregularity of my communication with my Bucknell friends, I want to make it very clear that my college friends mean the world to me and continue to be the most wonderful support system during this time.  I honestly would not know what I would do without them.

On the other hand, what do you miss the most about Bucknell?

The things I would do right now for a Bison grilled cheese and tomato soup are unreal.  But in all seriousness, the things that I miss about Bucknell are endless.  I tried picking just one thing I miss about Bucknell to expand upon, but I couldn’t narrow it down to just one.  Instead, in classic online magazine and blog fashion, I have compiled the “Top 5 Things Hillary Misses About Bucknell List.”  Here we go:

1. Looking at the sunsets from the Quad.
2. Bertrand Library.  Some of you are probably thinking “this girl is sick if she has Bertrand on her list.”  However, I probably spent more time in the library than anywhere else on campus and some of my best friendships developed after long, demanding nights in the library, so it is only natural that it made the list.
3. Everything about Graduation Weekend – these 48 hours were some of the best in my life.
4. Ard’s.  Enough said.
5. Quaint and picturesque Market Street.  Don’t get me wrong – I love Chicago, but I miss the small-town charm of Market Street/Lewisburg.

What has the real world taught you that Bucknell never did?

I read about the “cycle of poverty” in many of my Sociology classes and a handful of my Political Science classes and knew that it unfortunately existed in contemporary American society.  It wasn’t until I started teaching in a low-income neighborhood that I began to witness and internalize the reality of the “cycle of poverty” firsthand.  It seems paradoxical that the United States is a nation that prides itself on providing “liberty and justice for all” and has a foundation of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for all citizens, yet has not taken direct and effective action to remedy this significant socioeconomic problem that touches the lives of so many individuals in this country.

On the other hand again, what did Bucknell teach you that you continue to carry forward?

Perhaps this isn’t something that Bucknell taught me in the classroom or in my extracurricular activities, but I now have more pride in my Bucknell education than ever before.  I have realized that the real world is tumultuous and that I will definitely have personal problems I encounter, changes in my career and struggles in my professional life.  But one thing that will forever remain constant is that I have a Bucknell education and no experience or person is able to take that away from me.  My Bucknell education is my unrivaled and unbreakable foundation that will be key in propelling me forward in my future academic, professional and personal successes.

What are your career aspirations as of now?

I would like to be in the field of management consulting.

Fast Facts about the Real World:

• One word on managing your own budget?
  Two words: Sacrifice, prioritize.
   
• Bar hopping vs. Frat hopping?
  No bar hopping or frat hopping for me.  Rather, I hop right into my own bed at 9 p.m.  Sweet life?
   
• Gym membership or DIY?
  DIY (for now, anyways.)  

Go-to quote getting you through the real world? 

I am a quotation fanatic, so choosing just one quotation that’s helping me get through the real world is quite the challenge.  I would say my top-three quotations that are helping me transition into the real world are:

•  “Go forth and set the world on fire.” – St. Ignatius Loyola (major credit to Beth Eanelli and her incredible commencement speech for this quotation)
• “In the end only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” – Buddha
•  “Start your day with a cup of coffee and end your day with a glass of wine.”  — Unknown (but whoever said this is a brilliant individual)

Quick Qs:

Most influential professor at Bucknell?
It’s a tie between Professor Durden (Sociology) and Professor Ellis (Political Science.)  Every student should take a class with both of these amazing scholars at some point during their Bucknell career.

Favorite class at Bucknell?
Public Opinion with Professor Ellis.  ALL Political Science majors should take this as their Seminar requirement

Favorite Freeze flavor?
Definitely the S’mores Freeze.  Even though it’s 30°F in Chicago, the S’mores Freeze is all I can think about now.

Favorite study spot?
The computer lab in Coleman (obviously with Zack Beltran by my side.) 

Bucknell posse?
SO many, but the main ones include:

• Upper unit of Blue Crumbles (’12-’13)
• My freshmen year crew from Malcolm 3 and Rainey 3 (’09-’10)
• My HC family (obviously)
• My Senior year “study” group (Zack Beltran, Caroline Dittrich, Lucy Dean, Kristen Dauro)
• The Fifty Shades of Grey household and their honorary, regular house guests (you know who you are)
• Nick Stetz – I’ve known Nick going on 10 years now, so he’s his own posse in my book

Best/Proudest memory at Bucknell?
Being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society over Commencement Weekend alongside my best friend and other half at Bucknell, Sarah Dubow.  I wouldn’t trade that moment for anything.