Elle Littlefield '12GS is a dedicated career educator, and the founder/CEO of CareerWell, which helps job seekers navigate the job market, overcome employment barriers, and reduce stress. A new member of the Columbia Alumni Association board, she often describes attending Columbia as one of the greatest gifts of her life. We asked her to share memories from her GS years and advice for the Class of 2025.
Tell us your GS story in one sentence:
In my original undergraduate studies, I studied pre-med and film before earning a clinical master's degree—my education had been rather narrowly focused, and I wanted to challenge myself with a rigorous, broad, core curriculum.
What is a stand-out memory from your time as a GS student?
The friends I made at GS are so dear to me, and the experiences we shared in returning to college as a cohort of nontraditional students was nothing short of magical.
Describe how you felt sitting in the audience and walking across the stage at your own Class Day:
I felt an immense sense of accomplishment, and I also truly did not want my time at Columbia to end (hence a path of alumni volunteering).
Why have you continued to stay involved in the GS and Columbia communities after graduating?
Columbia changed my life, and I love our community. As a recruiting educator, I've always felt moved to share my professional insights with our students. In addition, I simply couldn't give up the scope of intellectual resources that Columbia brought to bear in my life. As an alumni volunteer, it is deeply rewarding to connect with graduates from across the entire university.
What advice would you give to the Class of 2025 as they embark on the next stage of their journeys?
The question "What do I want to do with my life?" can be too overwhelming for the brightest people to answer for the simple reason that there are likely many different paths in which you could find success. Just focus on the opportunities you can pursue right now, and then give yourself some time to settle into a new role before you evaluate if you want to continue on that path or pivot.
