2026 Senior Spotlight: Steven Pham

Hi everyone, my name is Steven Pham. I’m a senior majoring in business management and marketing with a minor in business analytics. As I near the end of this chapter of my life, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on how much has changed, not just on what I know but also on who I’ve become. 

In this article, I want to share my journey here at UD and the most important lessons I’ve picked up along the way. And no, these aren’t just academic takeaways; they’re lessons about identity, purpose, and figuring out what you actually want out of life.

When I first arrived at the University of Delaware, I’ll be honest, I didn’t have a grand plan. Like a lot of incoming freshmen, I had a pretty simple blueprint in mind: show up to class, do well in school, make some friends, and walk across that stage with a degree in hand. I thought that checking those boxes would be enough. What I didn’t realize yet was that college had a way of asking bigger questions than any exam ever could, questions like: What drives you? What kind of person do you want to be? It took time, a few stumbles, and some unexpected opportunities before I started finding my own answers.

This started when I got involved in APIDA and met so many people. I joined looking for something to do, maybe even add a line to my resume. What I found instead was a group of people who genuinely challenged me to think bigger, about my career, my values, and the kind of impact I wanted to have. In the beginning of my days, you start to explore and figure out what you like and try new things, which can lead to meeting a lot of new people. During my time as an upperclassman, I started to realize that time is limited. And it’s really crucial to spend them with whom you want.

In those early days, college feels wide open. You’re exploring, experimenting, and saying yes to almost everything, whether it’s new clubs, new friend groups, or new versions of yourself. That phase is important. It’s how you figure out what actually resonates with you versus what just looked good on paper. Somewhere between freshman and junior year, something shifts. You start to feel time differently. The semesters that once felt endless suddenly start flying by, and you become a lot more intentional about where your energy goes. I realized that not every connection is meant to go deep, and that’s okay. What matters more is finding your people, the ones who push you, who get you, and who you genuinely want to grow alongside. Quality over quantity stopped being just a phrase and started being something I actually lived by.

I know this is going to sound like the most college-bro thing I’ve ever said, but there’s a Fortnite reference that actually captures it perfectly:

“When the circle gets smaller, the players get better.” 

I think the same goes for life.