Career Path of a Systems Analyst at Higher Education
Alejandra's career path began with various part-time jobs and campus roles during undergrad, including internships—one that quickly revealed a dislike for real estate—coupled with heavy involvement in campus clubs that provided "leadership experience"; after a year of travel post-graduation, networking led to a project coordinator role, followed by brief stints in the public sector and biotech before finding a satisfying Systems Analyst position in higher education that offers opportunities for growth like a free MBA. While Alejandra "jumped around a lot" early on, searching for "more mental stimulation," the current role provides the personal and professional development Alejandra seeks.
Career Exploration, Internships, Networking, Job Satisfaction, Higher Education
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alejandra Cortes
Systems Analyst
Higher Education
Chapman University
University of San Diego, Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing), Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Finance
Video Highlights
1. Importance of Networking: Alejandra emphasizes the significance of networking, recounting how she reached out to a high school mentor after a year off and secured a project coordinator role through his connection. This highlights the value of maintaining and utilizing one's network for career opportunities, even after several years.
2. Varied Experiences and Career Exploration: Alejandra's career path includes diverse roles across different sectors (retail, internships, hospital, public sector, biotech, higher education). She acknowledges "jumping around" to find the right fit, illustrating that it's okay to explore different options to discover one's interests and long-term career goals.
3. Value of On-Campus Involvement and Leadership: Alejandra highlights her active participation in campus clubs, including serving as president of the feminist club and involvement in other cultural organizations. She emphasizes that these experiences helped her gain valuable leadership skills.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
I started working when I was 18, working part-time while also attending college. I moved on to various roles, including student worker positions on campus at the cross-cultural center and the disability center.
I also held other part-time jobs throughout my undergraduate studies, such as working at a grocery store and a hardware store. In addition to that, I completed two internships: one as a STEM summer camp facilitator for an all-girls program, and another for a real estate company.
I didn't enjoy the real estate internship and ended it early, deciding it wasn't for me. I essentially worked consistently throughout my undergraduate years, gaining experience in retail, on-campus roles, and my internships.
I graduated in 2019, just before the pandemic. I took a year off to travel, and upon returning to the U.S., the pandemic began. I then reached out to my network, contacting a high school mentor, Rudy, whom I hadn't spoken to in four years.
I asked him if he had any job leads. He connected me with his own mentor from high school. After a cold call to Rudy, we connected immediately. He mentioned he was hiring for a project coordinator role and asked if I was interested.
I was eager to start working again after being out of work for a year. I worked as a project coordinator at a hospital for about a year and a half. After that, I moved to the public sector, which didn't work out, and then to biotech, which also didn't work out.
Now I'm in my current role. I moved around a lot because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do professionally. I'm still not entirely certain, but I work in higher education and finance, and I genuinely enjoy my role and what I do.
I'm currently exploring how to grow within this position. When I was making those career jumps, I was seeking more mental stimulation and job satisfaction, which I wasn't finding in those previous roles. There was nothing inherently wrong with those companies or positions; they just didn't align with my personal development and growth goals.
In my current role, I have the benefit of pursuing an MBA for free, which is the kind of opportunity I was looking for. That's how I ended up where I am now.
Another significant experience from my undergraduate years was my deep involvement in various clubs. I served as president of the feminist club and was on the boards of several other organizations from my freshman to senior year. I was also highly engaged with cultural clubs on campus. This involvement provided me with valuable leadership and leading experience.
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