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Katia, Scholar Support Analyst at San Diego State University: Advize Career Interview
A career path starting with early employment and UCLA's "spell project," followed by refugee aid and research administration, led to a Scholar Support Analyst position at San Diego State University.
This role involves bridging departmental gaps, providing resources, and strategically planning the university's future. A typical day balances meetings, data analysis, and grant writing, adapting to urgent needs.
Emotional intelligence, time management, and communication are key skills, and the most rewarding aspect is problem-solving and achieving successful outcomes.
While navigating bureaucratic challenges is difficult, the continuous learning environment and intellectual stimulation are highly fulfilling.
Flexibility and a proactive attitude are crucial for success in this field, where change is constant. Seeking help and asking questions are vital to manage anxieties and avoid burnout.
Entry-level administrative roles provide excellent preparation, and a philosophy degree surprisingly fostered crucial critical thinking skills.
Finally, embracing diverse perspectives and bilingual fluency has proven to be a significant career asset.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Katia Garcia
Scholar Support Analyst
San Diego State University
UCLA
N/a
Philosophy
Education
Research and Development (R&D)
Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
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Career Path Of A Scholar Support Analyst At San Diego State University
Katia's career journey began early, with almost a decade at "Hotdog on a Stick," funding their education while participating in UCLA's "spell project," assisting faculty with English language needs. Following roles aiding refugees in San Diego and as a research project administrator at San Diego State University culminated in Katia's current position as a Scholar Support Analyst, ensuring the university's research functions effectively.
Main Responsibilities of a Scholar Support Analyst at San Diego State University
Katia, a Scholar Support Analyst at San Diego State University, identifies their main responsibility as bridging gaps across campus departments by providing support and resources, ensuring a "functioning cycle" and easing concerns. This involves identifying and addressing resource needs, such as administrative support or software access, while also strategically analyzing the university's future trajectory, drawing on transferable skills gained from prior customer service experience.
A Day in the Life of a Scholar Support Analyst at San Diego State University
A day for Katia, a Scholar Support Analyst, involves a flexible hybrid work schedule balancing morning meetings and data work with larger projects like grant writing in the afternoon; the daily structure adapts based on urgent tasks and seasonal event demands, as Katia explains, "my day-to-day kind of varies depending on what are the urgencies".
Most Important Skills For A Scholar Support Analyst At San Diego State University
Katia, a Scholar Support Analyst, emphasizes emotional intelligence as the most crucial skill, highlighting the need to deliver critical feedback ("tell people that something is wrong") without causing offense. Effective time management and communication are also vital for resolving issues promptly and reassuring stakeholders, ensuring a positive and productive outcome.
Favorite Parts of Being a Scholar Support Analyst at San Diego State University
Katia, a Scholar Support Analyst, finds the most fulfilling aspect of her role to be "solving problems and finishing things to 100%," deriving immense satisfaction from completing tasks and achieving successful outcomes. This completionist nature, coupled with positive teamwork experiences, contributes significantly to Katia's job satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Scholar Support Analyst At San Diego State University
Katia's biggest challenge as a Scholar Support Analyst at San Diego State University stems from "restrictions" imposed by the funding sources and bureaucratic processes within the Office of Research and Innovation; this often leads to frustrating situations where solutions are impossible due to inflexible rules or conflicting institutional priorities, forcing Katia to constantly find "new solutions" and start from scratch.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Academia As A Scholar Support Analyst
Katia, a Scholar Support Analyst, finds the most rewarding aspect of working in academia to be its continuous learning environment, describing it as "a problem, here's a prompt, and like answer it," even while writing emails and grants. This ongoing intellectual stimulation, similar to a student's experience but with compensation, is what makes the career most fulfilling for Katia.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Higher Education Industry According To A Scholar Support Analyst At San Diego State University
San Diego State University's Katia, a Scholar Support Analyst with six years of experience, identifies "flexibility" and a "go-getter" attitude as crucial for success in the industry, noting that "rules change, money changes, your position changes" frequently. Long-term employees, some with "20 plus" years of experience, demonstrate this adaptability, showcasing the importance of embracing change ("oh, we're not doing that. Cool, we're moving on").
What A Scholar Support Analyst At San Diego State University Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Higher Education Industry
Katia, a Scholar Support Analyst, wishes someone had advised "ask[ing] questions, a lot of questions and ask[ing] for help," emphasizing the importance of seeking support to manage the inherent anxieties of a constantly evolving work environment characterized by "problems with the community," staffing fluctuations, and shifting projects. The initial fear, however, is a sign of investment in the work, and managing that fear effectively is key to preventing burnout.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Scholar Support Analysts At San Diego State University
Katia, a Scholar Support Analyst, recommends entry-level administrative roles—"office assistant, admin assistant, project administration"—as the best way for undergraduates to enter the field, citing the broad exposure these roles provide to "all parts" of an organization's function. This experience, which Katia leveraged to advance from an administrative position to their current analyst role despite only having a bachelor's degree, offers significant upward mobility.
Significant Career Lesson from a Scholar Support Analyst at San Diego State University
Katia's most significant career lesson, gained through experience in academia, is recognizing when a position no longer fosters growth and leads to feelings of being "crowded" and resentment; the key is to self-reflect and make a change, whether it's a promotion, new role, or leaving altogether, to avoid burnout and ensure work is at least somewhat enjoyable.
College Experiences That Helped A Scholar Support Analyst At San Diego State University Succeed
Despite majoring in philosophy, a field seemingly unrelated to their current role as a Scholar Support Analyst, Katia credits UCLA's philosophy department with fostering "critical thinking" and ethical considerations, skills directly applicable to navigating the complexities of their career. The experience of "navigating a work environment" with peers while simultaneously grappling with philosophical concepts unexpectedly prepared them for the challenges of their current position.
How Identity Has Influenced a Scholar Support Analyst's Career at San Diego State University
Katia, a Latina Scholar Support Analyst, initially viewed her identity as a potential negative, feeling "other," but later embraced it as a significant career asset. This shift allowed Katia to leverage "different world perspectives" and fluency in Spanish, building trust with research participants and ultimately contributing a unique and valuable viewpoint to their work.
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