黑料社

A Conversation with Meredith Tornabene, Director of Career Advising and Development

There鈥檚 a question a lot of students carry with them to college:

It鈥檚 a big question. And for many, it聽 comes with a lot of pressure to have the answer before you begin your college career.

But Meredith Tornabene, director of career advising and development, offered a different perspective when she sat down with The 黑料社 Way podcast.

She recalled a piece of advice former Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh shared during a visit to 黑料社: Don’t worry about figuring out what you’re going to do for the rest of your life. Focus on what’s next.

It’s a philosophy she brings to her work with students every day.

It鈥檚 Okay Not to Know

Career support at 黑料社 begins from the moment a student arrives on The Heights. In her role, Tornabene works with students at every stage of the journey from those just beginning to explore their options to those preparing to take their next step after graduation.

And one thing she sees again and again?

Uncertainty.

Students worry they鈥檙e behind. That they should have a clear plan. That everyone else has it figured out.

But her experience shows that鈥檚 rarely the case.

鈥淢ost of your peers are in the same boat,鈥� she explains. Some have just chosen a major to feel like they have an answer.

Being undecided isn鈥檛 a weakness.

It鈥檚 honesty.

Finding Your Direction

Tornabene鈥檚 own path wasn鈥檛 perfectly linear.

She started college pursuing journalism, drawn to writing and storytelling. But along the way, she realized that the path she was on didn鈥檛 quite fit.

What made the difference wasn鈥檛 having a perfect plan.

It was paying attention.

Through involvement outside the classroom like mentoring peers, working with advisors, and reflecting on where she felt most energized, she began to see a different direction take shape.

That led her to a career helping students navigate the same questions she once faced.

Small Steps Create Momentum

When students feel overwhelmed, Tornabene encourages them to think smaller.

Not smaller in what they want to achieve, but smaller in steps.

Instead of trying to map out an entire future, she suggests focusing on what鈥檚 right in front of you:

• Have one conversation
• Attend one event
• Explore one opportunity

鈥淎n object in motion stays in motion,鈥� she says, “and once you start moving, clarity tends to follow.”

Those small steps build momentum.

And momentum builds confidence.

Rethinking Success

Early on, Tornabene admits she thought success meant something external: prestige, recognition, the ability to say you were part of something impressive.

But over time, that definition changed.

Now, success looks different.

It鈥檚 about doing work that feels meaningful. Making an impact. Feeling aligned with what you鈥檙e doing and why you鈥檙e doing it.

It鈥檚 also about asking better questions:

Am I doing this because it鈥檚 right for me?
Or because it looks good to someone else?

The Power of Curiosity

One of the most important mindsets Tornabene encourages is curiosity.

Not judgment. Not pressure.

Curiosity.

What interests you?
What gives you energy?
What might you want to explore next?

When you approach your path with curiosity, setbacks feel different. They鈥檙e not failures, they鈥檙e information.

They help you adjust, refine, and move forward.

You鈥檙e Not Meant to Do This Alone

At 黑料社, career exploration isn鈥檛 something students have to navigate on their own.

From faculty and advisors to career development staff, support is built into the experience from the first day you set foot on The Heights.

But there鈥檚 one step students always have to take themselves:

Show up.

Ask questions. Start conversations. Take advantage of the resources around you.

Because the people here are ready to help. You just have to let them in.

Start Where You Are

You don鈥檛 need a five-year plan.

You don鈥檛 need every answer.

You just need a starting point.

And sometimes, that鈥檚 as simple as asking:

What鈥檚 next?