As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ class of 2025, Carly Brunke, honors finance major from Little Egg Harbor, N.J. has thoroughly demonstrated her excellence and dedication during her time at UD.
Brunke was nominated for this series by Academic Program Manager Carrie Baldwin.
In this profile, Brunke shares her favorite UD memories, how she has changed during her time at UD and her plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Brunke: I think that I have grown a lot between my first semester at UD until now. As a freshman, I was timid and hesitant to get involved in the many opportunities available on campus. I knew I wanted to try new things but didn’t know where to start. Second semester freshman year I joined a sorority; during my sophomore year I changed my major to finance, and started working at UDairy. By junior year I was studying abroad, volunteering more and even landed an internship for the summer before senior year. By gradually expanding my interests and involvements I have become the most confident and multifaceted version of myself.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Brunke: One of the biggest challenges I faced during my college experience was while studying abroad in Rome during the spring of 2024. Studying abroad was easily one of my favorite memories from college, but it did not come without its hard days. For the first month in Rome I was extremely homesick. I was in a new environment, where people were speaking a different language, and ultimately what I was experiencing was culture shock. My physical and mental health were affected, and it was difficult to cope. With the help of one of my best friends and the encouragement of my family, I was able to stay positive. Changing my mindset was key; once I was able to manage all of my anxieties I was able to truly immerse myself in one of my favorite things in the world: traveling. Through this experience, I discovered my resilience and ability to navigate tough situations. Despite the challenges, I would do it all over again.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Brunke: My favorite signature UD experience was studying abroad in Rome. Going into college I knew that I wanted to study abroad. I love to explore new places and travel to pretty much anywhere. Having this opportunity at the University of Delaware was almost too good to be true. I spent an entire semester in Italy with my best friend, and met tons of new people both from UD and other universities. I was able to travel to nine new countries and over twenty new cities across Europe even while taking challenging classes. This experience increased my confidence, independence, and undoubtedly my adaptability. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that defined my college experience.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Brunke: A Lerner professor who had a big impact on my UD experience was Professor Phil Pyle. Professor Pyle’s public speaking class truly allowed me to become the best version of myself. Public speaking is something that most people do not enjoy, but through this class I now feel natural speaking in front of an audience. Beyond that, we learned how to write a proper resume, cover letter, thank you letter, and how to prepare for interviews. These skills could not have come at a better time for me as I was beginning to apply for internships for the summer. Without these foundational business skills I do not believe I would have been able to land the selective accounting internship with Lumen Technologies, which then landed my full-time job out of college. I have Professor Pyle to thank for both my success and newfound confidence.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Brunke: Being a “Lifelong Lerner” means having a community of people that I share a common experience with. Being a part of the business school has been the pinnacle of my success. I have many friends, colleagues, and incredible mentors thanks to Lerner. It’s a network I know I’ll continue to rely on long after graduation. I am excited to continue to be a part of the University of Delaware and especially Lerner because of all it has given to me.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Brunke: The advice I would give to incoming freshmen is to try any and anything. Step outside of your comfort zone, join the club you don’t know anyone in, try out for a club team, and meet new people, because you never know where it might lead you. It’s okay to be shy at first, but you will find your place on campus without a doubt. You don’t want to make it to the end of senior year thinking “I wish I had done more,” so just go for it!
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Brunke: Following graduation I will be working for Lumen Technologies as a FAR (Finance and Accounting Rotation Program) financial analyst. The FAR program is an early career development program where I will spend four, six-month rotations in different sectors of the company. This structure will give me broad exposure to the financial industry and help me discover where my strengths and interests align. I couldn’t be more excited to begin this next chapter!