JOCELYN CHU

“Hi all! My name is Jocelyn Chu and I am a Junior in Columbia College majoring in Financial Economics. I have served two years on the Conference Committee and am incredibly honored to be included in this edition of The Scope. As a transfer student, CWBS was one of the first organizations I joined on campus, and the experience has been so fulfilling in both a professional and personal sense.

With the intention to attend law school, I explored my interests in the intersection of business and law, which eventually led me to pursue a Compliance (Legal) Analyst position at Goldman Sachs. I benefited most from always saying “yes” to new experiences – even if that meant attending informational or networking events in industries I wasn’t too familiar with. This mindset is even what initially encouraged me to apply to CWBS. In this journey, I found that there was no loss, even if these industries or roles weren’t great fits for my long-term interests; I was able to ascertain precisely what my career priorities, strengths, and aspirations were. This strength was especially useful once coupled with exploration of fields I did take interest in through industry research, networking, etc.

For example, I spent the summer working at a commercial law firm here in NYC’s Financial District and have continued my position part-time during the school year. This hands-on exposure to the interaction between business and law (and direct interaction with the parties involved) helped me understand how my interests operate in practice, and has reinforced my commitment to pursuing law school after graduation.

My advice echoes what many Women of the Scope have encouraged: do your due diligence on the career you want to pursue but also, owe that same responsibility to yourself! Take opportunities to understand your personal values and how your career choices align with what truly matters to you. You will truly benefit from the wisdom of others if you are able to apply insights to both your professional and personal development because it is passion that will sustain you, especially during the (as we know) stressful recruitment process. Maintaining a mindset of openness and curiosity has been integral to bridging my legal and business interests and I cannot encourage it enough.

With this emphasis on personal connection being said, I would love to connect with and support anyone who resonates with my experience! Best of luck to those in their career pursuits – I am so honored to be surrounded by such intelligent and ambitious women as we continue navigating these paths together”

Jocelyn Chu, April 2025