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5 Things I’ve Learned: Jael Kerandi

Monday, April 13, 2026

Jael Kerandi, ’21 BSB, a finance manager at Microsoft, has years of leadership experience dating back to student government. Known for her powerful University-wide advocacy after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Kerandi has begun her career at Microsoft, working in Seattle and South Africa. She remains connected to her Minnesota Carlson community, serving on the GOLD (Gophers of the Last Decade) Board and the University of Minnesota Black Alumni Network Board (UMNBAN).

  1. Time is a construct, so rely on your own timeline. Once you graduate, life quickly becomes your oyster. While the empowerment is exciting, it can leave you feeling lost. Instead of wondering, “Am I behind?” pause and celebrate the many exciting updates from peers. Then chase the opportunity you aren’t ready for. Work abroad for a year. Take a year off. Find a new passion. Whatever it may be, do it on your own time. Dream, and dream audaciously. Life’s most cherished moments await you and are rarely on schedule.
  2. Gain perspective far from where you are. Working as an expatriate in Johannesburg reshaped me in unimaginable ways. I gained a deeper understanding of the economic landscape, the remnant impacts of apartheid, and the engulfing feeling of watching a match inside FNB Stadium in Soweto. I found joy in simple pleasures: an afternoon in Limpopo or the buzz of the Sunday market. Life’s greatest riches were caught in laughter, singing at church, and even at the gym. While traveling may not be your chosen exploration, pull yourself away from comfort toward a new perspective. At times, growth calls for distance.
  3. If you want to go far, go together. Excited to kickstart my post-graduate life in Seattle, I couldn’t shake the feeling of loneliness. Without a “default” community, I quickly learned I needed to build my own. I made connections locally through GroupMe, volunteering with organizations like Rising Voices, and by starting Gophers @ Microsoft. I remained connected to home through UMNBAN and with my national peers interested in changing the world. I learned community lives across time zones, right next door, and within our differences. Our strengths lie in our shared humanity. Community wasn’t limited to where I physically was, it was where I wanted to be.

Key Takeaways

  • "Dream Audaciously": Jael Kerandi, ’21 BSB, reflects on growing at your own pace and not comparing yourself to others.
  • Global Perspective: Working internationally in South Africa provided Kerandi with new insights that sparked personal growth.
  • Finding Community: From serving on alumni boards to Microsoft groups, she proves that building a network is key for success.
Jael Kerandi headshot

Refuse to allow your thoughts to paralyze your actions. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself, and there’s only one person who can hold you back.

Jael Kerandi, '21 BSB
  1. Don’t quit, but know when to change course. Life’s achievements are usually at the end of a path filled with a trail of many errors and the one thing that worked. We all have that one thing that took quite a few tries. There is no one-size-fits-all. The next time you hit a wall and can’t find a clear path, look for the messy one and prove yourself wrong (or right!).
  2. Beat your mind to it. Evolving is not simply the product of learning new skills or getting a promotion. It involves trying the things you deeply fear. Put yourself in rejection’s path, even though it feels uncomfortable. In the midst of “rejection,” you may find purpose or a network that will lead you to your next opportunity. Most importantly, walk away with the unrelenting belief that your efforts are enough. Refuse to allow your thoughts to paralyze your actions. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself, and there’s only one person who can hold you back.
Spring 2026 alumni magazine cover

This article appeared in the Spring 2026 alumni magazine

In the world of business, Minnesota Carlson and its vibrant community act as a powerful spark for action and change.

Spring 2026 table of contents

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