Student view: Stepping outside my comfort zone at MSU opened doors I never expected

Originally from Brighton, Michigan, Delaney Gomolka expects to graduate in fall 2026 with a major in supply chain management and a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation.

When I chose Michigan State University as my home in March 2023, I had no idea where I’d be 2 ½ years later or how many opportunities I’d discover at such a large university. More importantly, I didn’t yet know how much I’d learn to take control of my life, career and everything MSU has to offer.

I have always been one to stay comfortable in my environment, so when I got to college, I decided that this would be the time to step outside of my comfort zone. During the second semester of my first year, I decided to rush a business fraternity — not only to make new friends who shared my interests but also to take advantage of what Michigan State and the Broad College of Business have to offer.

Joining my business fraternity is one of the best decisions I’ve made at MSU. It has pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone more times than I would have without it. My peers have encouraged me to improve my communication and interpersonal skills, shaping me into a young professional with aspirations I never knew I had at 18, when I first chose MSU.

When I began my sophomore year, I started my internship search. This meant attending career fairs, interviewing and networking — all of which pushed me even further outside my comfort zone.

If I’m honest, my first career fair was a challenge. Even though MSU gives students numerous resources to prepare, nothing could have truly prepared me for walking into that environment. I left the Breslin Center that day feeling disappointed in myself, but I knew that if I really wanted this, I would have to work harder.

A few months and many applications later, I received an offer as a logistics intern at Meijer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I was ecstatic and immediately accepted the offer.

Accepting the offer was one thing, but walking in on my first day of the internship was another. Like choosing MSU or joining a business fraternity, I had no idea what opportunities I would encounter that summer, nor how much I would learn and grow as a young professional.

It’s incredible to look back and realize how many doors wouldn’t have opened if I hadn’t chosen Michigan State University.

At MSU, I’m also part of the Supply Chain Management Association, where I’m surrounded by peers with similar interests and goals. Each meeting gives us the chance to hear from different companies and learn about their industries, cultures and career opportunities.

One meeting stood out in particular. Representatives from a medical packaging manufacturer came to speak, and I found myself drawn to what they had to offer. A year later, I applied to their internship and spoke with them again at the fall 2025 career fair. The next day, I interviewed with the same individuals I’d met the year before. Just a few weeks later, I faced one of the hardest professional choices of my short career — accepting a return offer for security or taking a chance on a new opportunity.

After much reflection, I chose what felt right. Knowing my tendency to stay within my comfort zone, I decided to take a leap of faith and embrace a new era — one where I act on every opportunity and leave nothing behind.

This summer, I look forward to seizing every opportunity, because you never know what doors will open unless you take the first step toward them.