(Rising) Senior to Senior Series: Eliza Moore ’23
Through the 2022-2023 academic year, senior Eliza Moore interviewed fellow Cougars during their last year at Chatham about their plans for the future and the lessons they learned both in and outside the classroom. We thought it was only fitting to give Eliza a proper send off with a “Senior to Senior” interview of her own, conducted by rising senior Lirit Gilmore.
What led you to choose Chatham?
My journey to Chatham was unlike what I had imagined choosing my college would be like. I originally wanted to attend a school in New York, but my mom stated that she really did not want me to go out-of-state. That was difficult for me, as it kind of put me back at square one. It was actually my music teacher that introduced Chatham to me after she had received some kind of infographic. I wasn’t in the place to turn down any options and applied on a whim due to the free application. I looked at other universities in Pittsburgh, but ultimately none of them felt like the right fit.
Chatham was the only place that ensured me they would work with my goals to help me create whatever curriculum I was looking for, as my interest in Music Marketing was rather niche. After touring, I fell in love with the school as it was the perfect balance of city life, but also privacy, which was necessary for me after coming from such a small high school. It all worked out in the end!
What has been your favorite senior/student memory?
It’s so hard to try and choose one memory from the past four years and I know I probably will remember one even better later, but the memory that’s popping in my head at this moment is from the Spring Carnival my sophomore year. The band that was hired was so loud that campus safety came up with a noise complaint, saying it could even be heard on Shady Ave. My favorite memory from my senior year is hands down getting to be in the Drama Club’s production of Heathers, which was an absolute dream come true.
If there was something you could tell yourself freshman year, what would it be?
If I am being perfectly honest, college was not at all what I expected. We are often told that college is going to be the best years of our lives, and I hope so deeply that is not the case. If I had the opportunity to talk to my freshman year self, firstly I would warn her that she was about to enter a global pandemic that will not be only two weeks and she better soak up that social interaction while it’s still around, but more-so, I would let her know that it is okay if college doesn’t live up to expectations. The years are not made for students to completely succeed, and sadly that is the hard truth I was taught. It is impossible to be able to balance schoolwork, finding a source of income, extracurriculars, social life, and self-care. I would make sure she knew that she is not a failure for coming up short sometimes.
What advice do you have for perspective students coming to Chatham?
The most cliché phrase you are going to hear is “college is what you make of it” and that is 100% true. If you don’t get involved or attend events happening on campus, you are bound to be dissatisfied. There are some amazing people at Chatham working around the clock to make this experience amazing for you, take advantage of that! Additionally, being at such a small campus gives you so many more opportunities. You have the ability to get to know your professors and other faculty at this school on a personal level and you have no idea the types of doors they can open for you. Soak up absolutely everything you can! Oh, and make sure to spend all your flex dollars. #raidchel
Can you speak to the plans you have for after graduation? What are you most excited for?
Scary! I have a job lined up at a small marketing firm called Rock Pinnacle & Co, where I will be starting as an Account Manager. Additionally, I am working as a Subscription/Fundraising Representative for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. What I am most excited for is hopefully what will happen after, as I would really like to open my own business and begin working remotely so that I may travel the country.
Any Chatham Traditions you will miss?
So many! The tradition I will probably miss the most is Orientation, which I’m not sure counts as a tradition, but it’s close enough. I absolutely loved being an Orientation Leader and getting the opportunity to help orchestrate a welcoming transition to Chatham for incoming students. I’m also really going to miss being a part of the Candlelight service. It is one of my favorite events on campus, as I love seeing the community come together, so it’ll definitely be a bit sad being on the alumni side as opposed to being in the choir.
What has doing these senior-to-senior interviews meant to you?
I loved doing these interviews. They made me realize that no one really has it completely together and all planned out throughout their college experience. It’s so refreshing to be reminded that I was never alone in my worries or confusion throughout these part 4 years. I hope that these interviews helped other students on campus realize how amazing they are doing as well.
A huge thanks to Eliza for her work on the Senior to Senior series this year. We wish her and all our graduating students the very best. If you’d like to explore more student stories, including the Senior to Senior series, click here.