College Experiences That Helped A Dean Of Culture And Instruction At Summit Public Schools Succeed
To prepare for a successful career, Ernesto, Dean of Culture & Instruction at Summit Public Schools, emphasized the importance of diverse experiences, citing "exposure to different experiences" through tutoring and community work as key to self-discovery. Building community with other first-generation college students, allowing for "shared resources as we navigated something that was brand new to our families," also proved invaluable for their career trajectory.
Community Building, Career Exploration, Mentorship, Volunteer Experience, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ernesto Umaña
Dean of Culture & Instruction
Summit Public Schools
UC Riverside, 2011
Harvard University, Master in Public Policy
Political Science, American Studies
Education
Human Resources (HR)
HSI Grad, Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Seek diverse experiences through tutoring, volunteering, or community work to identify career interests.
2. Build a supportive community with peers who share similar backgrounds for mutual support and resource sharing.
3. Gain exposure to various professional fields early in your academic career to make informed decisions about your future path.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set yourself up for success in your career?
Something that I didn't get in undergrad to set me up for success was exposure to different experiences. I did some tutoring while in college, and I did some conference coordination for young people in the community.
There were also other volunteer opportunities that allowed me to see the kinds of things that I enjoyed doing and could see myself doing for work, and things that I didn't. The other thing that helped set me up for success was building community with people who were also of my affinity.
For me, that meant people who were first-generation American, first-generation college students. That way, we could share resources as we navigated something that was brand new to our families.