Ally Haisch's First Year Out of College

bacalapristi
Apr 28
3 min read

Author: Ally Haisch

Hey everyone!

My name is Ally Haisch and I’m an alumna of WSU Alpha Chi. (Psst - Ally is also a Young Alum Member of Sigma Psi Sigma!) I graduated in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Certificate in Business Behavioral Research in Marketing.

The Next Step

WSU and Alpha Chi prepared me incredibly well for life after college, academically, professionally, and socially.

But I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a mini existential crisis when it came time to start my “big girl” job. I took one month off after graduation to relax, pick up crocheting, and mentally prepare for what I assumed would be a lifetime of waking up early and working every day until retirement. Dramatic? Yes. Accurate? Not at all.

What I learned pretty quickly is that the dread came from the wrong perspective. Post‑grad life isn’t the end of freedom, but it’s actually the beginning of a different kind of freedom. One where you get to build your life intentionally, explore who you are outside of school, and discover what you actually want.

Setting Myself Up in College

I really tried to set myself up for success while I was at WSU. I wanted to stand out, so I pushed myself to get involved and build a strong resume.

I served as VP of Finance for 1.5 years, worked as an academic proctor, joined marketing club, studied abroad, and was one of only two women accepted into the Cougar Investment Fund class. All of that helped me land my internship at Cintas during my junior year.

The Interviews of Florence

When I first applied to Cintas, I fully expected the same immediate rejection email I’d gotten hundreds of times before. Instead, I got a call at 8 p.m. while studying abroad in Florence, Italy, asking if I could do a phone interview right then.

At the time, I was living in a tiny apartment with two Alpha Chi friends, all three of our beds lined up in a row like a sleepover that never ended.

I jumped up, ran downstairs, and started pacing while rattling off my elevator pitch I’d memorized from the two interviews I’d been rejected from earlier that week.

Three Teams interviews later, all while traveling around Europe, I accepted the internship offer at a college bar in Florence (The Lion’s Fountain, iykyk). I must’ve made the right impression, because they offered me a full‑time position after graduation.

Moving Home :(

One of the things I dreaded most about graduating was moving back in with my parents.

I thought I’d lose my freedom and feel like I was back in high school. But honestly? It’s been a blessing.

Yes, I want to move out eventually, but living at home has given me the chance to save money and build a financial foundation so that when I do move out, I can do it comfortably.

And the freedom I thought I’d lose? I didn’t. If anything, I gained more.

A Year of Growth, Travel, and Rediscovering Myself

This year alone, I’ve traveled more than I ever have before. California three times, Colorado twice, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, and Ohio.

I’ve explored the Greater Seattle Area, met amazing new people, and added so many unexpected chapters to my story.

I’ve gone to concerts to see my favorite artists, cheered at Mariners playoff games, and even started playing soccer again— something I hadn’t done since high school. And I’m loving every second of it.

The Big Realization

I realized something important this year:

My life isn’t over after college, it’s evolving.

Post‑grad life isn’t about losing freedom. It’s about gaining independence, confidence, and clarity. It’s about learning who you are outside of the structure of school. It’s about building a life that feels like yours.

And honestly? It’s been pretty amazing so far.

A Message to New Grads

To anyone stepping into post‑grad life: you don’t need to have it all figured out right away. This season is about learning, adjusting, and discovering who you are outside of college. Say yes to new opportunities, give yourself grace, and trust that you’re more prepared than you think.

Reach out to your sisters for support, maintain the relationships by going to dinner, a trip, and keep spreading love. Life after graduation isn’t the end of the adventure, it’s the start of building a life that’s truly yours.

LITB ❤️