Incoming Summer Analyst. Whether it’s for McKinsey, Goldman Sachs or J.P. Morgan, these three words encapsulate the aspirations of thousands of Vanderbilt students every year. It is the first step toward the coveted return offer, quickly pasted and shared on celebratory LinkedIn posts, and the result of countless hours of coffee chats, resume workshops and business fraternity interviews.  

But why is this achievement so desirable? Why do more than 50% of Vanderbilt graduates pursue careers in finance, technology and business, despite these jobs making up less than 12% of the total workforce? And might there be a better path instead? 

In her documentary “Golden Shackles,”  Hope Mandler (B.A. ‘25) highlighted how Vanderbilt’s pre-professional culture forces students into a pipeline that leads to these industries. Students who come into college passionate about issues in their communities and aspiring to create a real impact on the world leave feeling trapped by arbitrary definitions of success and prestige. Whether you’re a first-generation student who feels fortunate to have the opportunity to attend an elite university or are paying nearly $400,000 for your degree, there is undoubtedly immense pressure to pursue a career that is financially rewarding. Meanwhile, social media and pre-professional Greek life serve as endless conduits for comparison, with the hottest gossip being who progresses to the next round of interviews. Top that off with Vanderbilt’s Career Center letting Deloitte and Capital One dominate the campus climate with constant recruiting events, and it is no wonder that we Commodores feel the need to enter these sectors. 

But this is not just a Vanderbilt problem. Harvard graduates report similar feelings of needing to “sell out” as part of a “herd mentality,” and finance has become the most sought-after industry for Gen Zers at large. These trends are likely the result of a combination of the rising cost of college, growing economic uncertainty for young people and an increasing perception that college degrees are transactional certificates meant to symbolize job preparedness over intellectual growth. 

Still, seeing so many of my peers succumb to the allure of top-dollar positions at corporations that provide minimal public benefit is disheartening, to say the least. Especially in a time when our world is facing unparalleled global crises, from climate change to international warfare, why are our nation’s brightest young adults using their talents to maximize profits rather than improve the world around them?  

So, Commodores, it is time to step up. We can be the ones who break the mold, who embrace lives of public purpose and social impact over financial rewards. Try searching for summer internships on the nonprofit job board Idealist, joining the Vandy in Education & Social Impact newsletter or finding local volunteer opportunities (which can generate return offers of their own) through the university’s new Get Connected platform. Aspire after James Lawson and Bishop Joseph Johnson. Read “Work That’s Worth It.” And whenever you feel the pull of high-status, “prestigious” post-graduate pathways, ask yourself: Am I doing this because I want to? Or because I’m expected to? 

After all, only you can choose whether you want to be known for saving the Amazon rainforest or for raking in $37 million by advising HBO to change its name to HBO Max, then to Max, and then back to HBO Max once again.