By: Hunter Dierlam
“It’s definitely been busy” were the first words to come out of fifth-year student and men’s soccer player Sahil Dhunnookchand’s mouth after I sat down with him this past Sunday. Dhunnookchand took a leap of faith coming from New Zealand to the United States in the fall of 2018 not knowing what was in store for him.
Wesleyan offers several opportunities for graduates to continue their journey here on campus through internships and study programs that allow students such as Dhunnookchand the opportunity to stay within a familiar setting if graduates are not sure what they want to do immediately after graduating.
“I didn’t feel like I was in a rush in my life to begin my work career so when the opportunity came to earn my MBA, whilst having it paid for by the school, gain valuable work experience and still being able to play soccer, it just made sense for me” explained the Mauritius native. Seeing his peers leave post-graduation and accepting the fact that they had moved on was “difficult and emotional at times throughout the summer and while returning to campus.” However, Dhunnookchand seemed to feel pretty content with his decision.
“I would love, of course, for it to lead to a job, whether in the communications field or marketing in the corporate world.”
Photo by: Sahil Dhunnookchand
As of August, Sahil has worked in the marketing department alongside faculty and staff assisting them with their everyday needs.
“…Working for the marketing department has been fantastic” exclaimed Dhunnookchand, who worked from 2018 to 2022 on obtaining a degree in marketing. “I’ve seen so many people go in and out of this place and I’ve built so many relationships that Wesleyan has become my second home. It was a no-brainer for me to stay when I got accepted into the program.”
Balancing a sport with a job sure isn’t easy, however.
“I really enjoy creating content that includes filming and editing so work doesn’t feel like a hassle as I’m having fun every day,” Dhunnookchand added.
On top of that, Sahil claims that he still “hasn’t lost any love” for the sport he has grown up playing for the past 16 years. Oftentimes, students who enroll in the master’s program have used up all their eligibility and are only focused on attaining a master’s degree. In Dhunnookchand’s case, the love for the game was just too much to waste a year of eligibility.
“Once I was accepted, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that I wasn’t going to return to the team.”
It is no surprise that Wesleyan’s master’s program is full of students with hard work ethics and the desire to grow within their programs, especially in Dhunnookchand’s case. His passion surrounding soccer as well as marketing has built a promising foundation career-wise once he moves on from his “Home Among the Hills.”
THE PHAROS 
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