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Raquel Sojourner

Career Counselor

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is one step outside your comfort zone.”

Education:

• M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• B.A. in Sociology, Minor in African American Studies

Interesting fact:

I did a college internship at a non-profit organization run by the man who invented Hot Pockets.

Tip: Internship searching is all about YOU.

Where do you want to work? What do you want to do? Who fits your professional preferences?

Just like you would read a course description and look online for professor reviews to make sure a class is right for you, it is extremely important to put the same amount of thought into choosing your internship. Not all jobs or companies are created equal and therefore you should make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before interviewing or accepting an internship offer.

Take the time to go online and research companies before you go in for the interview. Think about the type of duties you’d like to do on a daily basis, what skills you’d like to gain, the geographic location that you’d like to be in and the type of people you’d like to work with and around.

Be more aware of the criteria you are looking to fulfill in your internship and take the time to compare that with what a company has to offer you. This will lead you to have a more meaningful experience.

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mary Garcia

Career Counselor

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

Education:

• M.Ed. in Counseling (Education)
• B.A. in Sociology

Interesting fact:

I started my community college career at the age of nineteen as a student ambassador, and now I’m living my dream as a Counselor.

Tip: Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Move out of your comfort zone. Be willing to step outside of what makes you comfortable, whether it’s with your personal life or with your career. Be open to new opportunities and take risks, there will always be something to learn and through that growth occurs.

It’s important to be able to step outside of what makes you feel safe and comfortable and be challenged with something new. That challenge will enable you to gain new perspective, knowledge, and experience that you can apply anywhere. The sooner you begin to embrace this concept, the better. Challenge yourself to get some work experience while you’re in college. While formal education is vital to your career goal, so are the skills that you gain through related work experience and internships. It can be difficult to manage a full school load and work; however, what you learn through that experience will be so valuable, and it will set you apart from your peers. Remember, your degree can grant you the interview but coupled with your experience, it may award you the job!