College Experiences That Helped a Vice President Education and Social Impact at Credit Union Industry Succeed
Amanda, a VP of Education & Social Impact, emphasizes that "volunteering while you're in college is a definite way...to engage in a different way," allowing for development of diverse skill sets, like website building or event planning, that complement academic studies and provide a safer space to learn and grow. This experience ultimately helps students "offer [an] employer...something that you've learned additional than just your studies," and in Amanda's case, helped them land their first job.
Volunteering, Community Engagement, Skill Development, Resume Building, Passion Discovery
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Amanda Garcia-Merz
Vice President, Education & Social Impact
California Credit Union League, Nevada's Credit Unions and the Utah Credit Union Association
Sacramento State
English, Writing & Education
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Education
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Volunteering in college allows you to engage in different activities and learn new skills that complement your studies.
2. Volunteer work provides opportunities to learn practical skills (like building a website or creating a newsletter) that may be useful in your career, even if your major is in a different field.
3. Volunteering allows you to explore your passions while gaining valuable experience and building your resume with skills that employers find valuable.
Transcript
What did you do in college to set you up for success in your career?
Volunteering in college is a great way to engage differently than you likely are in your studies. For me, getting to know my community through volunteer work was a definite plus in helping me land my first job.
There are skill sets you might not gain from classes. For example, in accounting classes, you're unlikely to learn how to build a website, create a newsletter, or organize a fundraising event.
However, in your career, you might be asked to take on tasks you learned through volunteer work. This isn't to say nonprofit work isn't valuable. It's just a little easier to make mistakes as a volunteer than in your paid job.
If you find a passion, like puppies, and volunteer at an SPCA, you won't just be playing with animals all day. You can take on tasks you want to learn and that will be valuable. You can then add these skills to your resume, showcasing what you can offer employers beyond your studies.