UConn helped Everett Padro figure out who he was and what he really wanted to do. For him, those discoveries meant leaving engineering and finding his home in the history department. Now, he encourages other UConn students to say “yes” to things they might not have – because you never know who you might meet or where it might lead.

Why did you choose UConn?

I chose UConn because I wanted a school where I could grow academically and figure out who I was. I originally enrolled as a mechanical engineering major, but during my freshman year I found myself drawn to the history department. Once I took classes there, I felt at home immediately. UConn gave me the space to change directions and find what genuinely fit me.

What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?

I am a history major with a digital public history minor and a Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) minor. I was originally a mechanical engineering major when I enrolled but changed it freshman year. I found my home in the history department. Once I took classes there, I felt at home immediately. Everyone was welcoming, had similar interests, and I felt like I could academically flourish. I was drawn to the digital public history minor because it offers useful experience for working in history and cataloguing fields, and I chose to pursue a WGSS minor senior year because I became passionate about WGSS and feminism through earlier classes and wanted to take more.

What activities were you involved in as a student?

I joined the UConn Historical Society in my sophomore year. In junior year, I joined the e-board as vice president, and in senior year I became president. I also renamed the club to the UConn History Club. We ran historically themed events, game and trivia nights, and other fun activities that made history interactive and social. Being on the e-board taught me the importance of building community around shared interests.

What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?

I was surprised by how easy it was to make friends and find people who really clicked with me. I expected to have to search harder for that kind of connection, but UConn made it pretty simple to meet people who shared my passions.

What are your plans after graduation/receiving your degree?

I plan to find a job in history, ideally in museums, archives, or administrative roles where I can use both my history training and digital public history skills. I would love to work for an employer who might support me in pursuing a master’s degree down the road.

How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?

UConn taught me a lot about growing into a professional, well-rounded person. I learned time management, how to network, and social and workplace skills that are important after graduation.

Any advice for incoming students?

Enjoy UConn, put yourself out there, and try new things. You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities will come from saying “yes” to something new. Starting fresh is a beautiful thing – lean into it.

What’s one thing everyone should do during their time at UConn?

Have Dairy Bar ice cream with friends at least once. It is really good food and will create fun, lasting memories.

What will always make you think of UConn?

The memories I made along the way, the late-night study sessions, the club events, the friendships, and the people who supported me while I figured out what I wanted to do, that’s what will always make me think of UConn.