About Sarah: Sarah Gerlach grew up in Southern California, but headed north to UC Berkeley for college and graduated with Bachelors of Science in Environmental Economics. She then started a career in tech, working in digital marketing at Google in Mountain View and New York City. Sarah chose to attend UCLA Anderson because it gives her the opportunity to explore new career paths, like management consulting, while also pursuing her passions like environmentalism.
As a Southern California native, the only autumns I knew growing up consisted of weather in the high 60’s through the low 80’s. There were Halloweens when it was over 85 degrees and we would be sweating while trick-or-treating, and Thanksgivings where we would go to the beach on black Friday. Fall would slowly roll into winter; we would celebrate Christmas and the New Year. There would be roughly 3-4 inches of rain. Then it would be March again and temperatures would climb back up to their regular spot in the 70s.
I was lucky enough to spend almost three years in New York before moving back to Los Angeles. I moved to Manhattan in June, when New Yorkers are at their happiest: the days are long, the parks come alive, and the rooftop scene is thriving. However I was in for a rude awakening the very first fall. I will never forget waking up on Thanksgiving morning to a blustery 9 degrees Fahrenheit. December, January, and February came with their grey skies and snowstorms. It was cold and I was woefully unprepared, but I learned to love putting on my scarf, boots, beanie, gloves, and coat every morning.
Being back in Southern California this time of year makes me miss the East Coast, with the changing leaves in Central Park and the ability to wear fall accessories without sweating. But I am also reminded of how much I love the subtle changes in California that represent our lack of seasons. In fall, it finally starts to cool down at night! Football season ramps up and basketball kicks off (let’s go Bruins)! And Trader Joe’s sells delicata and acorn squash again! The lack of bold seasonal changes is a hint to look more closely around the beautiful UCLA campus and notice the subtle differences, like the light breeze permeating through the Anderson courtyard.
Most importantly, the change of seasons this year has me reflecting on how much my life has changed over the last six months. Coming to Anderson was a big decision, and now that I’m here, it’s one I know I would make every single time. The best part of fall quarter is feeling settled. I am finally getting in the groove of studying, contributing more to campus clubs, and finding my place amongst my diverse peers. I realized this transition to fall is more internal than external, so I think I’ll appreciate the 70 degree weather for a little while longer.
Student Blogger: Sarah Gerlach ‘24
Undergrad: UC Berkeley ‘15
Pre-MBA: Digital Marketing at Google
Leadership@Anderson: First-Year Director, Admission Ambassador Corps; Director of Education, Management Consulting Association; Director of Alumni Relations, Alliance for Latinx Management; Section Director of Sustainability
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