What Makes A Husky?

By Daniel Barberi

I stepped off the train to Grand Central Terminal filled with anxiety. Clad in my ill-fitting suit, I began my trek to Core Club, an opulent venue where membership costs more than I’ve made in my life. After finding the entrance with the help of Opportunity Fund classmates, I found my name wasn’t even on the list.

“How did I get invited to this place?” I couldn’t help but think.

Together, we arrived at the exclusive Alumni Highlight event, where UConn alumnus Bob Diamond was set to speak. Bob Diamond is nearing the end of an illustrious finance career, highlighted by his CEO position at Barclays during the 2008 Financial Crisis and founding of Atlas Merchant Capital. The morning of the event, us OFP students thought we had signed up to attend some low-key, informal dinner event with Mr. Diamond. But a few hours before, we received more information: we were attending a star-studded event packed with Wall Street alumni in attendance, as well as Interim Dean Greg Reilly and President Radenka Maric. We were floored by the lineup, needless to say. All the more reason to feel like a fish out of water; how could I make conversation with professionals who know their industries like the back of their hands? Networking has always been one of my weaknesses, and this would be my biggest trial yet.

When Bob Diamond spoke, it felt like the world stopped to listen. He eloquently articulated his thoughts on everything from tariffs to student recruiting and digitizing the dollar. He utilized his lifetime of experience to thoughtfully and purposefully craft unique opinions. And the way he explained them made each idea seem so logical it felt obvious. It was refreshing, to say the least. He took time to answer questions and spoke encouragingly to those who asked. He is an exemplary Husky: a go-getter who has remained humble in success and remembers his roots. When I discussed with OFP classmates, they felt the same as I did. His message resonated with us and his demeanor left an impression that will certainly last.

That led to the networking session. My nerves spiked. To my surprise, an alumni sitting next to me immediately jumped to introduce himself. For the next hour, I found myself engaging in conversations with down-to-earth, hardworking people who all reflected Mr. Diamond’s character in some way. Eventually, I realized these traits exhibit the UConn brand: grit, determination and the ability to push oneself to success. We are not entitled people. We do not expect our achievements to be handed to us. Being a Husky has taught me, and all the other students and alumni in that room, that hard work and connections can get you anywhere. Those are the common denominators in the careers of successful UConn graduates - even Bob Diamond- and it keeps them coming back to help us younger Huskies.

When I left Core Club, the dread that had sat in my stomach before was gone. The event ran a half hour longer than scheduled, yet I was still disappointed I could not continue networking.

Wait, disappointed?

My anxiety suddenly felt foolish. I could not believe how those three hours metamorphosed my nerves into skill. I had taken a step in the right direction, towards becoming who I want to be. The pressure had made diamonds (pun intended). I reveled in that accomplishment for a moment, and something became apparent.

Growth is hard. Progress is hard.

Learning something new brings feelings of stupidity before they become crystallized. Exercise begins with weakness before it becomes strength. Trusting begins with doubt before it becomes confidence. Networking, for me at least, began with reluctance and became eagerness. Becoming is hard. And because it is hard, it is necessary. By attending this event and doing the hard things, a piece of the old “me” has been chipped away. Fear has become ambition, and uncertainty has become aspiration. Aspiration to make an impact and do great things, to realize my potential in the world of finance, and, most importantly, to pass down my knowledge to the Huskies who come after me. Alumni did not have the opportunities at UConn that we have today. And if we do our part, then the students who follow us will have even more opportunities.

So, to all the current Huskies: do the hard things and become your best “you”. Follow in the footsteps of those who came before us. And if you can’t do that alone, reach out! Huskies are always willing to help Huskies, I promise you. It’s just who we are.

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”

-Albert Einstein