10 Years of Cardinal Quarter: Amy Kouch, ’19, MS ’20
Amy Kouch, ’19, MS ’20
Cardinal Quarter Placements: Foundation for a College Education (2016); Sarus (2017); Department of Energy Resources (2018)
What impact did your Cardinal Quarter experience have on you?
Cardinal Quarter re-instilled my values of community and public service. It connected me to the communities and issues that mattered most to me and reminded me to not lose sight of why I came to Stanford: to make a positive impact in this world.
How did your Cardinal Quarter influence your academic, career, or life choices?
One of the best things I did in undergrad was spend every single summer in a Cardinal Quarter. I was able to work in areas that I cared deeply about: education, art, mental health, and climate. Through these opportunities, I was able to identify what field I wanted my career to be in. Although the summers may seem disconnected on paper, the experiences built on one another and shaped my values, and I wouldn't be who I am today without them.
What is one memory or lesson from your Cardinal Quarter that has stayed with you?
The summer I worked in Boston was my first summer working in the climate / energy sector. I didn't know anyone in the city, so I looked at the Cardinal Quarter map of other students placed in the area, and to my surprise, there were others working in energy. I reached out to them and spent the entire summer with them. One of them I even worked together with after graduating! Cardinal Quarter connected me with other students who shared the same passion for the planet, and I am forever grateful to have found one of my best friends through these opportunities.
What advice would you give to a student considering a Cardinal Quarter?
Cardinal Quarter is an underrated program. The opportunity to work and learn from a non-profit or government agency (whose internships otherwise could be unpaid) is amazing! The people you meet will inspire you.
