Princeton Post-Graduate Interview: Conversing with Isabelle Laurenzi Class of '15
Isabelle Laurenzi: A Journey from Princeton to Yale
Isabelle Laurenzi, a graduate of Princeton University (class of 2015), is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in political theory at Yale University while working in the Yale College Writing Center. Her academic journey, marked by a consistent interest in creative writing, ethical thought, and helping others, has been a testament to her passion and dedication.
During her time at Princeton, Isabelle was a member of the Edwards collective, a creative writing group, during her junior and senior years. Her core interests, which have remained unchanged throughout her various experiences, include teaching, tutoring, consulting, and now graduate school.
After graduation, Isabelle taught as a writing instructor at Princeton's Freshman Scholars Institute and later worked as an English teacher at a private school in New York. She also worked on a congressional campaign and tutored a student with special needs. Her travels, applications to graduate school, and current Ph.D. studies at Yale are all part of her ongoing academic and professional journey.
Isabelle's interest in political theory was sparked during her thesis defense, where she realised that her work on John Milton's religious and ethical ideas could be considered political thought. This realization marked a significant transition in her academic focus, moving from religious studies to political theory.
Reflecting on her experiences, Isabelle believes that finding the common threads in your experiences can help uncover the interests that are core to you. The topics that interest you most will keep reappearing in different situations and keep nagging you to give them more attention.
Isabelle's mentor from the women's mentorship program at Princeton suggested she start teaching, which she did through a fellowship program at a private school. Isabelle enjoyed the freedom and experimentation she had in teaching sixth and tenth grade English.
The writing center at Princeton, under Isabelle's leadership as the chief correspondent for a year, aimed to move beyond being a place just for first-year students and focus on writing as a topic for students of all years.
The blog has published an interview with Emma Kaeser '18, and recently introduced a new blog. For detailed and up-to-date information on Isabelle's post-graduation experiences, academic publications, or professional activities, it is recommended to consult Yale’s political theory department website or professional networking platforms where she might share career updates.
Isabelle's conversation has brought the speaker closer to an answer about how to identify core passions. Her journey serves as an inspiration for those seeking to pursue their interests and passions professionally.
In her journey from Princeton to Yale, Isabelle Laurenzi found joy in independent work, particularly teaching and tutoring, which she pursued both during her time at Princeton and afterwards, even going as far as to lead the writing center at Princeton and teach sixth and tenth grade English at a private school. Meanwhile, her interest in sports was evident through her participation in activities like running and hiking, providing a contrast to her academic pursuits in education-and-self-development and political theory, shaping a unique lifestyle that complements her scholarly path.
