Natalie Telson

We know firsthand that this senior has a whole lotta wisdom. We sat down with our own Bwog Director of Communications, Natalie Telson, to hear her tackle the oral sex or cheese question. 

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Natalie Telson; GS/JTS; Political Science at Columbia and Hebrew Bible at JTS; North Tustin, CA

Claim to fame: You may have seen me wandering campus with a massive red backpack over the last four years, but more notably I was that girl dancing with the Israeli flag on stage with Lupe Fiasco at Bacchanal 2014, and I’m a proud and active member of both Delta Gamma and the JTS Joint Program. Oh, and I’m Director of Communications for the top news site around – Bwog!

Where are you going? I am working in the PR & Communications department at The Huffington Post primarily handling the HuffPost Live account. VERY happy to be working in NYC and staying close with my Columbia/Barnard/JTS FriendFam.

What are 3 things that you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2019?

1. Every person you meet within the Columbia community has an incredible and unique story and perspective. Try to meet as many people as possible. You never know whom you could meet, and how they could change your life, or how you could change theirs. On that note, focus on fostering relationships with people who make you the best you. Even though we’re in college, people still get wrapped up in social drama. By making the people who support, love and encourage me in every way my priority, I have come out of Columbia with the best friends I could ever imagine. My education here has been unparalleled, but none of it would have been enjoyable, or even possible, without the “FriendFam” that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

2. You get out what you put in. Personally, I have devoted a lot of my time and energy to the Delta Gamma chapter at Columbia. In return, I have been challenged in ways I could have never imagined, all the while developing my leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Best of all, I gained a network of friends that continues to grow every year. Although Greek life was the path I chose (and I highly recommend!), any club, activity, or group will suffice. Just get really passionate about something. The other people working as hard as you on your project or in your group will teach you about others and yourself. Being totally immersed in an extracurricular will help you see how great the Columbia community is, and will give you a support system for those times when Columbia isn’t so great…

3. One of the most important parts of your Columbia education is living in New York City. The people, places, and activities I have been exposed to because I go to school in NYC have revolutionized my experience at Columbia. It’s really awesome to intern in the corporate world, and gain experience for the impending job hunt (seriously intern, intern, intern so you can get hired post-grad!), all the while stretching your mind and forming who you are through liberal arts studies. Also, take advantage of all the resources NYC has to offer that Columbia provides you FOR FREE. Whether it be going to MoMA for Art Hum, the Metropolitan Opera for Music Hum, the NYC bike ride for History of the City of New York, or the Lower East Side for History of Jews in New York, visiting these places with your peers is so formative in your intellectual experience at Columbia, and something that I will sincerely miss when my time here comes to a close. Lastly, get outside! I always feel that when I’m overwhelmed, going downtown, getting out of the Morningside bubble (that I so dearly love), is really refreshing and rejuvenating. Personally, I suggest a typical NYC bottomless drunk brunch… usually does the trick.

“Back in my day…” The best hangout spot was the Mudd balcony (noted by the various illegal items left in this historically sick lookout), Cannon’s was actually Cannon’s, there was no age discrimination at Senior Night, there were only 4 sororities (Go CU Panhell for stepping this up!), & Joe’s was still expensive.

Justify your existence in 30 words or fewer: California girl who was swept off her feet by the City of New York.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Don’t lie to yourself… no one can resist a late night Koronet’s slice.

One thing to do before graduating: Before I graduate, I’d like to figure out a way to REALLY stay in touch with the people who have meant so much to me in the Columbia community. I don’t want the people I’ve met at Columbia to disappear like some of those friends from high school, who we all really only see at awkward house parties over Thanksgiving break… I hope to sustain the relationships I’ve built and am determined to figure out an effective way to do this.

Any regrets? A lot of times we study to perform on the test. I learned so much incredible information throughout my time at Columbia/JTS and I really wish I would have taken the extra step to master the material instead of just learning it for an examination.