College Experiences That Helped A Systems Analyst In Higher Education Succeed
To prepare for a career as a Systems Analyst at Higher Education, Alejandra emphasized the importance of being "super active" both on and off-campus, but particularly highlighted the cultivation of strong relationships with mentors and professors, fostered by attending a small school; Alejandra still maintains contact with them, emphasizing that mentorship is a "two-way street" of giving and receiving.
Mentorship, Networking, Relationship Building, Communication, 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. Actively participated in campus activities and worked both on and off campus to gain diverse experiences.
2. Maintained close relationships with mentors and professors by staying in touch and offering support.
3. Recognized mentorship as a two-way street, emphasizing the importance of giving back to mentors and showing genuine interest in their well-being.
Transcript
What did you do in college to set you up for success in your career?
As I mentioned earlier, I was very active in college. I worked both on and off campus.
Another important thing I did was maintain close relationships with my mentors and professors. I attended a small private school where many of my classes had only five or six students. This made it easy for me to get to know my professors, and for them to get to know me.
I even have some of them saved as personal contacts and text them. It's really about getting to know the people around you and nurturing those relationships. I've been out of college for a few years now, but I still email my professors about once a year to give them life updates.
I reach out to see how they are doing and what's new. These relationships are reciprocal. With mentorships, it can be challenging to figure out what you can offer when they're giving so much.
However, if you ask them if there's anything you can help with or take off their plate, I'm sure they would appreciate it. Just asking about their life, their spouse, or their kids also shows you care. These relationships are a two-way street; it's not just about them pouring into you, but also about giving back.
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