In the months leading up to graduating with a Bachelor of Science in management information systems, Angela Marcel-Gavin ’21 recalls having tunnel vision when thinking about what career opportunities lay ahead of her. Like many graduating students, she found herself caught in a cycle of applying for positions, facing rejection, and then summoning the willingness to start the process all over again. The uncertainty of entering the workforce made the experience both daunting and discouraging at times.
“At the time, I was interested in finding a job related to information technology or information systems,” she says. “I noticed I was coming up short and decided it was important for me to branch out.”
Her willingness to explore different options proved to be a turning point. Donna Keller, associate of Human Capital Management at Goldman Sachs, encouraged Marcel-Gavin to apply for a position in finance with the company. This advice, though unexpected, pushed her to think beyond the boundaries she had set for herself. It marked the beginning of a new path that would ultimately allow her to combine her technical training with a role that carried a deeply human impact.
“After a three-month interview process, I began my work as an analyst with the Survivor’s Support department,” she says. “We support the employees of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs dealing with loss. Counselors work with our clients on estate settlements, retirements, cash flow, and assets after a loved one dies.”
Making an impact had always been a priority for Marcel-Gavin, and the Survivor’s Support department provided a unique opportunity to do just that. While her degree gave her a strong technical background, her day-to-day responsibilities now emphasize communication, empathy, and financial guidance. By equipping others with knowledge and providing support during some of life’s most challenging moments, she has discovered a career that blends service with professional growth.
Her role allows her to be a steady presence for individuals experiencing grief. Rather than focusing solely on data or systems, she now works directly with people navigating transitions after the loss of a loved one. The technical and analytical skills gained in her MIS program prepared her to handle complex processes, but her position requires just as much emotional intelligence as it does professional expertise.
“If you asked me last year if I'd take a position in finance, I would have hands down said, ‘No,’ because I got a B in Introduction to Financial Management,” she says. “Now, I'm more open-minded about my career. For me, it took graduating from university and stepping into the real world to realize how much more I am willing to learn.”
Her story highlights the importance of adaptability, resilience, and the willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities. By remaining open to advice, Marcel-Gavin transformed rejection into redirection and found a role that challenges her to grow in new ways. Today, she continues to learn every day, proving that a single course grade does not define the scope of a career.