Letter From the Editor

During any student’s four years at Bryant University, they are afforded opportunities that collegiate scholars will ever experience. From the Sophomore International Experience to The Archway Fund, where students actively manage over $100,000 of the University’s endowment; few schools have all the offerings that Bryant does. However, through all this stimulation of our intellectual selves and our growth into young professionals, I have seen many students lose sight of life itself. So many are focused solely on massive bank accounts and toys with Mercedes hood ornaments that they forget that the real world is just a larger playground for us to find what we truly are passionate about.

As I retire from my post as The Archway Business Editor and join my fellow seniors in walking across the stage at graduation, there are a few messages I want our faithful readers to keep in mind as they move forth in life. These are not paradoxical boring lessons, but rather values that will allow an individual to be successful in every way imaginable.

Throw Away the Store Bought Map- Of course we have all heard that it is vital to get a Master’s degree and to get work experience at a large firm and make large sums of money. Forget all of that noise. Do not let someone draw your map in life. Do not allow others puppet you around and force you down career paths that make you miserable because you are chasing a paycheck. Find your passion and hold onto it, regardless of what others say. Be proud of who YOU are and what YOU accomplish.

Your Youth is Your Strength- No matter what professional field you enter after graduation, know that you are not expected to know everything. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Do not hesitate to seek help. Find a mentor and let them show you the ropes. There is a time and place to prove yourself, until that time comes, learn as much as you can from those around you.

You Will Never Accomplish Anything by Yourself- The journey we are about to embark on is a scary one and anyone would be lying to you if they said they weren’t a little bit nervous. Know that through your journey, it was the hard work of others that afforded you the opportunity to be who you are. Whether it is your Mother and Father, friends or mentors, be sure to thank them for all they have done for you. Without them, you would not be you and whether they say it or not, without you they would not be who they are.

Anyone who wants what is best for you, doesn’t know what is best for you- My father always said that it is equally important to know how NOT to do something as it is to know to do it. The moral is that there are very few lessons to be learned through success and the greatest natural professor is failure.  Do not be afraid to attempt life’s greatest challenges out of fear or failure, because in the words of Theodore Roosevelt, “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”

Always Have a Spirit of Philanthropy- Communities of people, like Bryant and other organizations, have afforded us all amazing opportunities. Be sure to give back to them after you leave. Philanthropic spirits are not shown solely through monetary donations; donate your time and resources to those who have done the same for you.

A final note, thank you to all of The Archway’s readers.The Business section has seen major transformation over the past three years and without the support you and my fellow Archway staff and faithful writers such a transition would not have been possible. Thank you everyone who is part of The Archway!