Significant Career Lesson From A Career And College Specialist At Martinez Unified School District
Kee's initial experience helping students with the "DVC process" highlighted the importance of thoroughly understanding and breaking down complex procedures, learning "everything from scratch" rather than skipping steps. This approach, born from a challenging start, allows them to empathize with students and effectively guide them, "knowing what they have been through, because I'm walking the same path they are."
College Enrollment, Student Support, American Education System, Step-by-Step Guidance, Fresh Perspective
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
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Kee Siang Quek-Collins
Career and College Specialist
Martinez Unified School District
Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia
Master Certificate in Internet Marketing with USF and Certificate in College Admissions and Career Planning with UCBerkeley
Advertising, Public Relations, Marketing
Education
Education
Video Highlights
1. The community college enrollment process involves multiple steps, not just completing an application.
2. Learning everything from scratch, without skipping steps, is crucial for understanding and assisting students effectively.
3. Approaching the education system with a fresh perspective, similar to the students, enables better support and empathy.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you've learned that's proven significant in your career?
When I first started the whole job, my very first day was to help students enroll in the DVC process. The community college process is not just completing an application form and then you're in the school; if you are admitted, it takes multiple steps.
That was a huge lesson because it was done pretty badly. I think the way it was being taught was really bad. From that really stressful encounter, I learned to make things a little bit easier for myself and for students.
I was also new to the American education system. I think it helps coming from a fresh perspective. You need to teach me, and I need to break everything down and not skip steps. If you skip steps, you're going to miss things.
That lesson and learning everything from scratch allows me to come from the perspective of the students and really be able to help them. I know what they've been through because I'm walking the same path they are.