College Experiences That Helped A Budget Analyst At The State Of California Succeed
To prepare for a successful career, Justin emphasized the importance of exploring unfamiliar interests in college. Saying "yes" to opportunities, even outside a declared bio major, like joining student government, exposed Justin to a passion and aptitude for government work that ultimately led to a career as a Budget Analyst.
Career Exploration, Government, Student Involvement, Self-Discovery, Unexpected Opportunities
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Justin Hurst
Budget Analyst
Public Budgeting Agency for the State of California
UC Davis
Sac State - Master's of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA)
Biology & Related Sciences, International Relations & Affairs
Education, Government & Public Sector
Finance
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Trying things that you didn't know if you'd be interested in can expose you to new passions and career paths.
2. Joining clubs and organizations, even if they don't initially seem appealing, can lead to unexpected opportunities.
3. Experiences in student government can be a valuable stepping stone to a career in government.
Transcript
What did you do in college to set you up for success in your career?
This really circles back to the beginning of the conversation. For me, it was trying things I didn't know if I'd be interested in. People would invite me, say, "Hey, come join my club or this organization," and I would say, "Sure," even if I didn't think it was something I would necessarily be interested in.
I was a biology major in my undergrad career and thought I was going to be a research scientist. But it was one of those times I said yes when I joined student government. That eventually led me to a career in government because I was exposed to new things and realized I had a passion for something I was good at.