College Experiences That Helped a Director of Program Quality Training and Assessment at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County Succeed
Johanna's undergraduate success stemmed from learning to prioritize academics over social distractions, emphasizing the importance of saying "no" to friends in order to focus on studies; this skill, honed through experiences like prioritizing studying over social events, translated into a strong work ethic that proved invaluable in their career.
Time Management, Prioritization, Self-Discipline, Resilience, Delayed Gratification
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
johanna masis
Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment
Girls Incorporated of Alameda County
U of A, Tucson and UC Santa Barbara
Holy Names University, MA ESL
Humanities
Education
Operations and Project Management
Immigrant, Transfer Student, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Prioritize academics over social events: Johanna emphasizes the importance of discipline and time management, highlighting how saying 'no' to social events to focus on studies helped her succeed.
2. Understand the consequences of academic failure: The example of chemistry classes where failure to pass prevents progression underscores the importance of academic seriousness and commitment.
3. Invest in your future self: Johanna's approach of prioritizing studies is framed as an 'investment' in her future self, highlighting the long-term benefits of academic dedication for career success.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I tell everybody this because I worked with a lot of young people. Learn to say no to your friends; that's real talk. If you can say no to your friends, you can say no to anybody.
Many a time, I remember those party nights that started early. I would say, "I will not be there. I have a test tomorrow, and I need to ace it. I need to pass this." There's no going back.
I learned that lesson from chemistry. If you don't pass it, you can't move on to the next course. It was one of those moments where I just had to say, "I can't. Sorry, y'all. Have fun. Let me know."
I ended up living in the library until 1:00 AM. Learning to say no got easier because my friends understood that I was investing in my future self. That's what I was doing.
So learning how to say no was actually my saving grace. I tell young people that all the time. You can do it in a kind way, obviously, but I think your future self will thank you for it.