Alumni Connections in Action
Four Torreys across three generations turned one student’s question into a powerful chain reaction of mentorship, opportunity, and alumni connection.
We often talk about the strength of the Torrey network, but every so often, a story comes along that truly brings it to life. This past summer, Jake Murray ’23 discovered firsthand just how powerful our alumni connections can be.
Jake, midway through his sophomore year at Wheaton College outside of Boston, was beginning to think about his future. Like many college students, he knew the importance of gaining real-world experience but also knew how challenging it can be to secure an internship in competitive fields like tech and sales. That’s when he remembered something Country Day instills in all of us: you are part of a lifelong community.
Jake reached out to his former Country Day tennis coach, Jos Burkett ’01, who today serves in our Office of Philanthropy. Jos guided Jake on the courts, and now she was ready to guide him in a new way. Jake shared his interest in exploring opportunities and asked if she knew of any connections that might help.
Jos turned to her colleague Katie Sigeti ’06, who runs our alumni programs. Katie’s role is all about connecting Torreys to one another, and when she heard about Jake’s goals, one name immediately came to mind: Ian Han ’10. Ian runs a software development company, Iron Forge Development, and was looking for an intern.
Katie reached out, and just like that, the Torrey network was in motion.
Jake remembers that first call with Ian vividly. “He was super welcoming,” Jake shared. “Both of us being alumni from Country Day made it easy to get the conversation going. He told me he was looking for an intern at his company and asked me to send my resume. He was quick to reply and very communicative.”
Within days, Jake had landed his internship.
At Iron Forge, Jake worked in sales, introducing the company’s software development services to clients ranging from startups to established enterprises. It was not easy work—lots of calls, lots of emails—but it was transformative.
“I honed my skills in customer communication and networking,” Jake said. “At first, I was nervous when talking to new clients, but after I got the hang of it, I became confident and even brought in more clients. It was tedious, but enjoyable work.”
The experience was more than just a summer job. It gave Jake tangible skills, a clearer sense of what he might want to do after graduation, and a deep appreciation for the LJCDS alumni community.
“This experience was helpful because of how hard it is to find an internship,” Jake reflected. “The Country Day alumni network was so useful—not just for me, but for my peers as well. One of my best friends from high school is also interning at an alumni-owned company. It’s a great reminder that when we leave Country Day, we carry this network with us.”
His advice to other Torreys is simple: don’t be afraid to reach out. “Even if you think there might not be opportunities, you’d be surprised. The staff and alumni are on your side. Stay connected.”
When you step back and look at this story, it’s pretty remarkable. One alum reached out to a trusted mentor. That mentor turned to a colleague. Together, they reached out to another alum who had a need. In a matter of days, a student was gaining valuable experience, an entrepreneur found a motivated intern, and three generations of Torreys were reminded of the power of staying connected.
This is what makes the LJCDS alumni community special. The relationships built here don’t end at graduation—they continue, grow, and circle back in meaningful ways. Jake’s journey shows how one alum reaching out to a mentor can set off a chain reaction—four Torreys, across three generations, opening doors for each other. That’s the Country Day network in action.
