Favorite Parts Of Working In The Higher Education Industry As A Serna Center Coordinator
Saray finds the most rewarding aspect of working in higher education to be the direct, lasting impact made on students' lives, noting that "once students graduate with their degrees, no one can take it from them." This is further emphasized when students return years later, sharing how Saray's guidance shaped their success, making the work fulfilling despite other potential drawbacks.
Higher Education, Student Support, Impactful Work, Personal Fulfillment, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Saray Aguirre
Serna Center Coordinator
California State University, Sacramento
CSU, Sacramento
CSU, Sacramento - MA in Education (Higher Educational Leadership & Policy Studies)
Anthropology, Sociology
Education
Education
HSI Grad, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Impact on Students' Lives: The most rewarding aspect is knowing you've played a role in students' journeys and made a direct impact on their lives, helping them succeed and complete their degrees.
2. The Permanence of Education: The value of knowing that once students earn their degrees, it is something that can never be taken away from them.
3. Long-Term Fulfillment: The fulfillment comes from students returning years later to express gratitude and share their successes, highlighting the lasting impact of the support provided.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
Being in higher education, one of the most rewarding aspects is knowing that once students graduate with their degrees, no one can take that away from them. Education is something that, once obtained, can never be reversed.
Knowing I've played a role in some of their journeys has become increasingly clear to me these past few weeks. This realization goes a long way. I often start my day thinking it's just another day at the office.
But when students share how much of a role I've played in their lives and journeys, it has a profound effect. Even if the financial rewards aren't the greatest, the impact on their lives is deeply satisfying.
It's rewarding to know you've made a direct impact, smoothing their paths. Some students have even expressed that they don't know if they would have succeeded without your help. This knowledge makes the experience incredibly rewarding.
As I mentioned, once their education is complete, that degree is theirs, and their future is open to them. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences, and it's why I stayed in this position for so long. Those conversations are truly fulfilling every single day.
It's rewarding to have students return years later, recalling how you helped them during their first year and sharing their current successes.