There’s a moment during senior year when the future stops feeling theoretical and suddenly becomes very real. Everyone’s talking internships, first jobs, interviews, and cities they might move to after graduation. And if you’re anything like most ambitious college women, you probably find yourself wondering:
Am I doing enough? Did I start early enough? Is everyone else secretly light-years ahead of me?
In today’s Independence Lab conversation, I sat down with Pilar Khawaja, an Ohio State University graduate who landed a role as an investment banking analyst at Cain Brothers in New York City. We talked about everything from networking to internships, moving to NYC post-grad, navigating long work hours, and finding confidence when you’re the youngest person in the room.
Her story is honest, grounded, and incredibly reassuring. Because success after college isn’t about being “the most impressive.” It’s about intention, work ethic, relationships, and learning to trust yourself.
Want weekly clarity after college? Every Thursday, I send post-grad moves that students and recent grads rarely get access to.
Pilar studied finance with a Spanish for business minor and, like many students, started her journey simply by joining a student investment club. That decision changed everything.
Through the club, she connected with KeyBank’s Women in Investment Banking program, which led to coffee chats, mentor relationships, and eventually her internship with Cain Brothers. That internship turned into a full-time investment banking offer before graduation.
Yes, networking mattered. But so did showing up with curiosity, warmth, and work ethic.
And that’s one of the big themes of this conversation: you don’t need to be the loudest or most experienced, you need to be intentional.
For many students, the word networking still feels intimidating. But Pilar reframes it beautifully.
Networking wasn’t about self-promotion. It was about:
• joining the right student communities
• taking conversations seriously
• following up
• being someone people enjoy working with
Referrals did matter in her process. But referrals happen when people trust you. And people trust you when you:
• are kind
• show initiative
• listen
• follow through
Soft skills aren’t “nice to have.”
They’re career rocket fuel.
If you’re in an internship now or about to begin one, here’s Pilar’s biggest advice:
be the person who raises their hand.
Offer to:
• take the first pass on projects
• help teammates
• learn new skills
You don’t have to know everything.
You do have to show you care.
That reputation will follow you for years.
Earlier than you think.
Pilar began:
• exploring opportunities: freshman–sophomore year
• interviewing seriously: sophomore spring
• securing internships for junior summer: by March
And here’s the important part:
👉 You don’t need to have it figured out on day one
👉 But you should start earlier than feels comfortable
👉 It is absolutely okay to learn as you go
And if you start later? You’re still not behind. There are always opportunities.
Pilar always knew she wanted NYC. But that didn’t make the transition easy.
She talked openly about:
• the emotional shift from college to real-world life
• the overwhelm of apartment hunting
• building a new social circle
• budgeting in a high-cost city
• finding grounding routines
Her advice?
Explore. Be a tourist. Build community. Create structure.
And don’t forget to actually enjoy it.
Before moving, Pilar sat down with her parents and mapped out:
• rent
• groceries
• utilities
• transportation
• laundry
• social spending
She also tracked spending for the first month to create a realistic baseline. Not restrictive. Just informed.
Because awareness equals confidence.
And financial independence doesn’t begin with perfection.
It begins with paying attention.
Let’s be real: investment banking hours are no joke.
But culture matters.
Pilar’s firm prioritizes:
• health
• reasonable staffing
• feedback
• connection
And her analyst class has become a built-in support system.
She works hard.
She also protects sleep, rest, and sanity.
Because you can love your job and still need boundaries.
There was a moment Pilar shared that will resonate with so many young women:
“I used to question whether I belonged in finance. But once I started, I realized we’re all learning. I earned my place.”
Confidence isn’t loud.
Confidence is grounded.
And it grows as you do.
If you’re:
• unsure about your future
• late in the recruiting process
• scared everyone else is ahead
• nervous about life post-grad
Here’s the truth:
you are not behind.
Many of Pilar’s friends found jobs months after graduation. Some took time to travel. Others explored paths that fit better.
There is no single correct timeline.
There is only your path.
If Pilar could go back, she’d tell herself:
• you are capable
• you belong
• things work out
• trust your preparation
And I want you to hear that too.
Your 20s aren’t about presenting a perfect LinkedIn-ready version of yourself.
They’re about:
• learning
• experimenting
• building relationships
• developing emotional intelligence
• trusting your potential
And at The Independence Lab, that’s exactly what we’re here for.
Every Thursday, I send career, money, and confidence tools to ambitious students and recent grads who want direction, not noise.
It’s warm. It’s honest. It’s practical.
✨ Join The Independence Lab newsletter here.
And remember: You’ve already done more than you think.