Helping New Students Envision Their Yale Journey

Many students arrive at business school after years of professional growth and skill-building. After careful consideration, they’ve decided that a graduate degree is the next step toward their goals. They arrive with a glimmer in their eye—a dream finally realized. But while some describe business programs as “vacations” from the rigors of full-time employment, the reality is that the enrichment opportunities in graduate school are vast and can quickly feel overwhelming. At SOM, students must learn to navigate these opportunities with confidence and purpose.

As an orientation leaders (OL), I was one of 10 second-year students helping new SOMers visualize their graduate school journey during their first week on campus. I was driven by three key principles: fostering belonging, embracing a growth mindset, and building community.

A strong sense of belonging is crucial for thriving in a business school environment, where peer connections drive both personal and professional growth. To set the stage for success, the OLs organized events to help students integrate into the SOM community and build relationships. We hosted several informal gatherings, including a game night, visits to local favorites like the ice cream shop Arethusa Farm Dairy, and a closing ceremony at Gryphon’s Pub, Yale’s graduate student bar. These activities aimed to create relaxed environments to foster genuine connections and to facilitate a smooth transition into SOM. The impact was clear: Students participated in these events by asking thoughtful questions, offering encouragement, and making sure to include others in conversations. As orientation continued, students built upon these connections and actively offered support to one another, paving the way for a collaborative and cohesive community

A growth mindset—the belief that skills can be developed through effort—is also essential for overcoming the challenges of business school. To nurture this mindset, the OLs facilitated outdoor team-building activities that promoted reflection and adaptability. One activity involved carrying a ping-pong ball across a distance using a series of movable tracks. To succeed, teammates had to continuously reposition their track pieces, discuss outcomes, and adjust their strategies in real time. After this activity, students demonstrated this growth mindset in a theater workshop, where they refined speech topics and delivery through the application of iterative feedback. These experiences empowered students to overcome challenges collaboratively, while also building the critical skills and resilience needed to excel in team-based projects and professional environments.

Creating an inclusive environment in business school ignites students’ ability to drive meaningful change and strengthen the school’s community from the ground up. During orientation, OLs facilitated community norms sessions where students collectively defined their shared values. To foster engagement and inclusivity, we used small group discussions and warm calling—a technique that encourages participation by recognizing students’ contributions and giving them time to prepare their input for the larger group. This approach led to the establishment of shared norms, such as “Hold strong beliefs lightly” and “Open communication with considerate notification,” which are now displayed in SOM’s student lounge. These norms provided a solid foundation for an SOM community where every student feels valued.

Following these sessions, students began taking initiative to organize events like New Haven postcard hunts, poker tournaments, hikes up East Rock, and pizza tours. These initiatives exemplified that students weren’t just joining the SOM community; they were actively shaping and enriching it.

Each student’s journey at SOM will include making key professional decisions, tackling academic challenges, and growing personally. By fostering belonging, promoting a growth mindset, and emphasizing community-building, the OLs helped new students embark on a transformative business school experience—one that will enrich both their personal journeys and the broader SOM community.