What Type Of Person Thrives In The Education Industry, According To A Serna Center Coordinator At Sacramento State
Saray believes those who thrive in the Serna Center Coordinator role are driven by genuine care and a desire to give back, understanding the transformative power of education and support, especially for students from similar backgrounds; "it's one of those experiences where you're there because the student tells you you've made a change." Success isn't necessarily tied to financial gain, but rather to the profound rewards of empowering students and seeing them flourish, even amidst uncertainty in the field.
Genuine Care, Empathy, Understanding of Educational Importance, Resilience, Rewarding Career
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. People who thrive in this industry genuinely care about the students and the impact they can make.
2. Personal experience with the challenges and opportunities faced by students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, can be a significant asset.
3. While the work may not be financially lucrative, the rewards come from seeing the positive impact on students' lives and their success.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
I believe people who thrive in this industry do so because they genuinely care. They aren't in it solely for a paycheck. Those who succeed, and I consider myself one of them, are motivated by the impact they have.
This impact is felt when a student acknowledges the change you've made, or when coworkers recognize your dedication. It's also driven by personal experience – knowing what this opportunity did for you and wanting to give back. Alternatively, you might simply believe these students deserve this chance.
Having experienced my first year as a student from a farm-working background, and now graduating twice from Sacramento State, I understand the crucial role that year played in my success. I know what it did for me, and I know it can do the same for other students.
When students see someone who looks familiar, like their family members, it can make it easier to connect with them. To thrive in this field, you must understand that it may not be financially lucrative. However, if you can set that aside and recognize the personal rewards, it makes the experience far more meaningful.
There's been a lot of uncertainty in education recently, but because the students deserve it, I'm committed to continuing my work. Understanding the importance of education and having a direct role in your own experience will be tremendously helpful.