By Jonathan Werta, Business Manager
Finding the right path starts with knowing yourself. That’s harder than it sounds, and it usually comes through trial, error, and doubt.
When I first joined the Yeshiva University men’s volleyball team, I didn’t imagine much would come of it. I wasn’t a star athlete. I spent time on the bench, unsure if I belonged on the team at all. But I stayed. Over time, I earned my place and eventually became team captain. That accomplishment gave me more than just a title. It gave me dignity and confidence and showed me I could be a leader, not just on the court, but within the YU community as a whole.
I’ve always been someone who bounces around, exploring different avenues. I’ve taken on roles from section manager at the YU Seforim Sale to delegate for YUNMUN (Yeshiva University National Model United Nations). I’ve faced rejection and disappointment. But that never meant I stopped trying. Every “no” pointed me toward another opportunity, another lesson, another passion I hadn’t yet discovered.
Last year, I applied to nearly every opportunity that hit my inbox for an internship experience. Whether it was trying out for the men’s basketball team or applying to be a representative of BMP (the Irving I. Stone Beis Medrash Program), I was eager to be involved in everything. I didn’t always get the outcome I wanted, but the process itself was revealing. Each experience helped shape the way I see myself and my potential. Even now, I’m still figuring out what I want to become and what success means to me.
This past summer, I reached out to a YU alumnus I met through an Shevet Glaubach Center career center event. He works as an investment banker at Bank of America. I initially called him seeking career advice or maybe even a referral. I told him about how I switched majors from physics to economics. I shared that I’m a triathlete, that I work at Makor on Shabbos, and that I serve as a business manager for the YU Observer. I was hoping for a lead. What I got instead was more valuable.
He told me to take a step back and reflect on everything I’ve been doing at YU, not just as a checklist, but as a window into what drives me. He challenged me to figure out not just what I want to do, but why I want to do it. Yes, I want to be an investment banker. Yes, I want a good job after graduation. But is that enough? What do I really want out of life?
He said something I’ll never forget: “The worst place to be in life is somewhere you never wanted to end up.”
That quote brought me back to a pivotal decision earlier in my college career. One summer, I took a course at Florida International University and seriously considered transferring there full-time. It felt simpler, closer to home. But my father looked at me and said, “It’s great to be going to a local school, but how much can you gain compared to where you are now?” I thought about that deeply. I weighed the comfort of familiarity against the opportunity of challenge. I chose YU, and I’ve never looked back.
Being an out-of-towner at YU isn’t always easy. But it has shaped me in ways I never expected. It’s taught me independence, resilience, and how to find my place in a community that constantly pushes me to grow. The support YU offers, the friends I’ve made, and the vast number of clubs, programs, and experiences have all been beyond what I could have imagined.
Yes, my schedule is packed. Time management is probably the most difficult part of my life right now. But in all honesty, this period of life is the most adventurous and fulfilling my life has ever been.
This summer was one of the most competitive I’ve seen. Internships and full-time roles were hard to come by, even for students at top schools. AI, layoffs, and fierce competition made the job market unpredictable. But those obstacles didn’t deter me. They built me. They reminded me that life doesn’t hand you success; you work for it, struggle for it, and often grow through the setbacks more than the wins.
From the courses I’ve taken at YU to the many events, clubs, sports teams, and leadership roles I’ve taken on, I’ve learned that the future may be uncertain, but the present is packed with potential. I don’t know exactly what my legacy will be. But I know it will come with time, with patience, and with a deep desire to make a difference.
My advice to every future YU student is to say yes. Say yes to the unknown. Say yes to trying something new. Join a team. Start a club. Write for the paper. Apply for that position. You won’t find what you love unless you give yourself the chance to try different things.
Being the business manager of the YU Observer is the most meaningful title I’ve earned so far. But I’m just getting started. I do not doubt that the future will be full of even greater accomplishments, and I’m excited to work toward them.
Because at the end of the day, discovering who you are isn’t about avoiding failure, it’s about embracing the process. I’m proud to say that I’ve done just that, and I look forward to whatever comes next.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jonathan Werta