Career Path of a Communications and Human Resources Manager at Goleta Sanitary District
Laura's career path was "kind of varied," starting with retail jobs that, while providing "extra cash," didn't align with their aspirations; a pivotal shift came after working in nonprofit retail and joining a political campaign, leading to a master's in public policy and ultimately, a position at the Goleta Sanitary District, a "wastewater collection, treatment and resource recovery special district."
Career Exploration, Nonprofit Experience, Public Service, Communication Skills, Master's Degree
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Laura Romano
Communications and Human Resources Manager
Goleta Sanitary District
University of CA, Santa Cruz, Prefer not to say!
Calif. Lutheran Masters in Public Policy & Administration
History, Art History
Food, Beverages & Alcohol, Government & Public Sector
Communication and Marketing
Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Laura's career path highlights a varied professional journey, starting with retail jobs that provided valuable customer service skills and financial stability. Her experience working in nonprofit settings, including a zoo gift shop and a museum, showcases adaptability and a willingness to work in diverse environments. Her bold decision to join a political campaign demonstrated a proactive approach to career exploration and broadened her skillset by applying existing soft skills in a new context, while also impacting her personal life.
2. Laura's pursuit of a master's degree in public policy and administration after working in various fields demonstrates a dedication to professional development and strategic career planning. The internship she undertook during her master's program offered valuable hands-on experience in government, providing a pathway towards her current role.
3. Laura's current role at the Goleta Sanitary District, obtained after five years of post-graduate experience showcases the importance of patience and persistence in career transitions. Her journey emphasizes the value of combining diverse experiences, soft skills and academic qualifications to reach career goals within public service.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
I actually had a varied career path. Like many people, I started out in college working at a department store. Retail is always good for finding a job, but it wasn't exactly the career path I wanted to follow. However, it did provide extra cash, which was nice.
I toyed around with different things and ended up working somewhat in retail because I ran a gift shop at a nonprofit zoo in Florida. My undergraduate degree is in history, so that doesn't fit whatsoever. But I decided I really wanted to broaden my horizons and do something more on the business side.
After working for a couple of different nonprofits, including a zoo and a museum in their retail divisions, I decided to do something crazy and jump ship. I joined a political campaign, which was something I'd never done before. It totally changed my life in many ways.
It gave me a completely different experience and an opportunity to do something new. It also allowed me to apply the soft skills I had developed over many years of working in retail and customer service in a different way. I also met my husband at the same time.
After that experience, I decided instead of going into business, I went into a public policy and administration master's program at Cal Lutheran University. It took about five years after completing my master's to get the job I currently have. This is my first government job, well, second.
I actually interned while in my master's program for a small city in the area with the city manager's office. I did that for 12 weeks. After I finished, as I said, it took about five years to get the job I have currently at the Goleta Sanitary District. This district handles wastewater collection, treatment, and resource recovery, and it's a special district, a type of government common in California.
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