Lillian Fenzil
Class of 2026
Hometown: Collegeville, PA
Major: Custom-Designed Major of Academic Counseling and Advising
Minor: Psychology
How many times have you been asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?" Probably hundreds of times, from playing with toys at a young age to deciding where you want to go to college. In the few years leading up to college, that question brought waves of anxiety. When family asked, I'd avoid eye contact, stutter over my words, and make up excuses, like "I'm interested in history, but I still don't know...Oh, yeah I guess business sounds like a good major, I'll be sure to check it out."
Arriving at Drexel’s campus didn’t make it any easier. Everyone seemed like they knew what they wanted to do with their life. It felt isolating — until I met the folks in the First-Year Exploratory Studies (FYES) Program. The Custom-Designed Major (CSDN) offered a middle ground to allow me to explore all of my interests while meeting people with a similar mindset to me. I made lifelong friendships and worked toward opportunities for professional development, even earning my co-op with the Goodwin College.
You never know what experience awaits you if you don't try to learn more.
Since that first year, I have created my own major, acted as president of a student organization, participated in the STAR Scholars and Honors programs, became a Global Engagement Scholar and a peer mentor, and will be starting my first study abroad this fall!
The key I found — through the FYES, the CSDN program, and my co-op with Goodwin — is to keep an open mind and test out all opportunities that are offered to you. If you see a new email or flyer for a program, go to an information session and learn more. You never know what experience awaits you if you don't try to learn more. And, there is always a chance to forge your own path by talking to University professional staff — the worst anyone can say is no.
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