From Volunteer to Future Leader: Akhil Vadivel’s So What Else Story

When Akhil Vadivel first discovered So What Else, he was simply looking for a way to give back. As a high school sophomore, he began volunteering at Saturday morning food distributions and quickly saw the organization’s impact firsthand.

Later that year, he met So What Else co-founder Dave Silbert at a school club event and learned about the opportunity to intern with the organization.

“I was captivated by his idea of working at SWE while building my own personal skills,” Akhil said. “That’s when I started a great journey of interning at SWE.”

Seeing His Work Come to Life

Throughout his internship, Akhil supported both behind-the-scenes operations and community events. One of his most meaningful experiences was helping organize the So What Else Youth Olympics in Washington, DC. He coordinated transportation, prepared materials, and helped bring months of planning to life.

“The event itself was an amazing experience because it felt like a culmination of all my past efforts,” he said. “I saw everything I did in the past come to fruition.”

Spending the day working alongside Dave also left a lasting impression.

“It was amazing to see how much commitment and genuine care it takes to be such an influential person in the community,” Akhil shared. “This experience really cemented Dave as a role model I’ll continue to look up to throughout my life.”

Building Skills and Finding His Direction

Akhil’s time at So What Else also helped him strengthen important communication skills. Through grant writing, he learned how to tell compelling stories and clearly present ideas. He also became more confident speaking up, navigating challenging conversations, and collaborating with others.

“I learned how to effectively communicate stories and narratives through writing,” he said. “It’s important that I can convey messages and information in a captivating manner.”

His experience also reshaped his career goals. Akhil entered the internship interested in financial services but without a clear direction. So What Else showed him that finance could be used as a tool for meaningful change. That realization inspired him to pursue portfolio and asset management, with the goal of making financial information more accessible and helping uplift others financially.

Recognized for His Impact

In 2025, Akhil was named So What Else Student of the Year, a recognition that carried deep personal meaning.

“As a high schooler of an immigrant background, it feels amazing that I was able to do the things I was able to do,” he shared. “The fact that I was entrusted to do such important tasks makes the award even more special.”

Akhil credits the recognition to the relationships he built with mentors and team members throughout his journey. It was a testament to the relationships he formed working alongside the SWE team. 

Continuing the Work at NYU

Now, Akhil is preparing to attend New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he will concentrate in Finance and minor in Data Science. He looks forward to experiencing New York City’s diverse perspectives and opportunities while continuing the work he began at So What Else.

For other students considering getting involved, Akhil’s message is simple:

“You can volunteer at camps, help at distributions, work in the back office, or do all of them, just like I did,” he shared. “Ultimately, working with SWE will build you into someone who is ready to make a difference in their community.”

Are you interested in interning with So What Else? Reach out to info@sowhatelse.org to learn more.