What a Serna Center Coordinator at California State University Sacramento Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Education Industry
Saray wishes someone had discussed the financial aspects of the Serna Center Coordinator role at California State University, Sacramento beforehand, especially considering the cultural norm in Hispanic/Latinx households of not discussing money, and emphasizes the importance of early boundary setting to avoid burnout. Saray is actively trying to change the narrative by being transparent about finances with students and family, believing that open conversation about all aspects of education is important.
Financial Literacy, Boundary Setting, Burnout Prevention, Transparency in Education, Work-Life Balance
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. The importance of discussing the financial aspects of a job, especially in fields like education, and working to change the narrative of avoiding these conversations.
2. The necessity of setting boundaries early in the role to prevent burnout and feeling overwhelmed.
3. The value of transparency in the field of education, including being open and honest with students and family members about all aspects of the job.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
I think something that I wish I was told beforehand was the financial aspect. Coming from a Hispanic, Latinx household, it's not something we necessarily talk about – the money aspect of a job or the importance of money. I think that's something I've learned recently.
I wish someone had talked to me a little more in detail about what this was going to look like and how much I would be making. Aside from that, I think the boundaries conversation is crucial. Realizing early on that if you don't set these boundaries, you could lead to burnout very soon.
I really do think education is such an important field, but being transparent about all aspects of it is important. I try to do that with my own job when students or family members ask me questions. I'm trying to change the narrative of not talking about the finances behind the job.
Life continues, and bills do come in. That's one thing I'm trying to change. But besides that, I do think most of my teammates and coworkers were really transparent about everything else. Those are probably the few things that I have.