College Experiences That Helped a Strategic Partnerships Director at Fintech Climate Startup Succeed
Rebecca, a Director of Strategic Partnerships, emphasizes self-discovery as crucial for undergraduate success, advising students to "notice how you work with your friends," and explore interests beyond career-focused internships. Their experiences in Camp Kesem and a dance group built valuable leadership and communication skills, demonstrating that seemingly unrelated activities contribute significantly to professional development.
Self-Reflection, Skill Development, Leadership Experience, Interpersonal Skills, Career Exploration
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Rebecca Saletta
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Fintech Climate Start-up
UCLA
N/a
Communications
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management, Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Business Strategy
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Self-reflection is key: Explore different classes, activities (even if unrelated to your career goals), and social interactions to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. This self-awareness will be invaluable throughout your career.
2. Develop transferable skills: Focus on building skills like teamwork, leadership, communication, and problem-solving through extracurriculars, internships, or even just group projects. These are highly valued in any field.
3. Embrace the learning process: It's okay not to have everything figured out in undergrad. College is a journey of self-discovery. Be open to new experiences, and don't be afraid to change your path as you learn more about yourself and your interests.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
What did I do in undergrad? I didn't know what I wanted to do for my career, so a lot of what I was building was just myself. I think that's okay. We all get distracted thinking about internships or whatever else, but the question is, are you learning about yourself? That's one of the best things you can do during undergrad.
Sometimes that does mean getting an internship or a job. Definitely get the experience. But also, notice how you work with your friends, how you do your study sessions, and which classes you liked and which ones you didn't. Did you pursue a hobby? Why or why not? These are the kinds of questions you have the time to ask yourself.
I was involved in Camp Kesem, so I did summer camp every year. I was also part of a dance group on campus called Synthesis. Those were the two things I did. They have nothing to do with my career today, but I share that because in Synthesis, I learned how to teach, manage a team of dancers, choreograph, and express myself. I learned to explain complicated things to people who didn't understand.
In camp, I learned management skills and how to care for people. As a leader, I was managing my unit, and those were skills I was building. It didn't have to do with my career or the direction I was headed, but for me, those were skills I started to build.
In classes, I really loved a class on public diplomacy. I didn't know if I would be a diplomat, but I liked the class. I really didn't like the class on stats; I did not do well at all. It's just about paying attention.
I think some of the best things to do in undergrad is to be curious about yourself. If you can build that muscle early, no matter where you end up in your job, you'll have the skills to reflect on that role, see how it fits you, and be kind to yourself if it doesn't. You can start being curious about where you could go next, whether or not it's a good role.
Starting that process and knowing that every step matters is important. The people who come along the way are all part of the process. Knowing who you're around in undergrad, who sits next to you in class – everyone has a story.
For me, I feel very strongly that undergrad is a time to just kind of settle in. Then, in your first job or first few years at a job, you get to take all of that and start to build your toolbox in the real world. There's so much grace for coming in and out of that, taking your time, and figuring it out. Just be gentle rather than feeling like you have a ton of checkboxes you have to check immediately, because that will deprive you from some of the deeper learning that can happen during that time.