College Experiences That Helped A Director, Strategic Partnerships At United Way Greater Los Angeles Succeed
Oxana's college success stemmed from a proactive approach—"saying, yes, I'll try this, I'll try that"—through numerous internships and part-time jobs, even unpaid ones, which allowed development of marketable skills and a strong resume. This willingness to explore diverse opportunities, fueled by curiosity and a "hunger to learn," ultimately secured their first full-time position.
Career Exploration, Internships, Networking, Resume Building, Marketing
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Oxana Ermolova
Director, Strategic Partnerships
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
UC Santa Barbara
UCLA School of Management, Full-time MBA
Entertainment, Music & Arts, International Relations & Affairs
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Sales and Client Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Immigrant
Video Highlights
1. Be open to diverse experiences and say 'yes' to new opportunities, even if they seem unrelated to your main career goals. This helps you explore different fields and develop valuable skills.
2. Don't be afraid to start with unpaid internships to gain experience and prove your abilities. This can lead to full-time positions later on.
3. Develop a functional focus in your field (e.g., marketing) through internships and other experiences to highlight on your resume and job applications.
Transcript
What did you do in college to set you up for success in your career?
In college, I was a bit hyperactive. From a place of anxiety, I probably took on more internships and various part-time jobs than I strictly needed.
That said, my openness to trying new things, like writing a blog post for an Aikido studio, and my curiosity to explore and learn helped me. Volunteering to learn through those internships allowed me to develop a functional focus on marketing.
This marketing focus helped me with my resume and applications, and I believe it helped me land my first full-time job. That job, in particular, started as an unpaid internship, which was a privilege I was able to manage.
I know that's not feasible for everyone, but taking the time to prove myself put me in a strong position when a full-time position became available.