College Experiences That Helped a Principal at SEED School Los Angeles County Succeed
Natale's UCLA experience, including participation in a sorority and Bruin Corps, provided invaluable leadership and management skills, crucial for their career. These extracurricular activities taught the importance of "networking, communication, managing multiple things," and helped build their professional brand and navigate diverse situations.
Leadership, Communication, Networking, Time Management, Professionalism
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Natale Mejia
Principal
The SEED School of Los Angeles County
UCLA Class 2010
The Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2013, MsEd. in Urban Education; USC, Class of 2020, Ed.D in Educational Leadership
Ethnic & Related Studies
Education
Education
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Build strong relationships and leadership skills through extracurricular activities and leadership roles.
2. Develop time management skills to balance schoolwork and extracurricular commitments.
3. Cultivate your professional brand and learn to navigate different situations effectively.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I was part of a sorority at UCLA, which, in addition to the Brewing course, really helped me. The Brewing course provided a direct understanding and access to a school setting and environment, which I truly appreciated.
However, the sorority gave me many of the leadership and management skills I needed. These skills are essential for building relationships, as well as for coaching and managing adults in my day-to-day life.
I believe that participating in an extracurricular activity where you take on a leadership role will be the most supportive for you long-term. It teaches the importance of networking, communication, and managing multiple tasks simultaneously while still attending school.
Time management is a key element. Ultimately, it provides more opportunities to understand your professionalism. It helps you define what professionalism means in your context and how to build it up.
This includes developing your brand and signature, and learning how to present yourself and navigate different situations. Through Brewing Corps and the sorority at UCLA, I gained significant exposure to these aspects.