How did you get here? As an international undergraduate student majoring in both Music Performance and Psychology, my goal was to complete a graduate degree to be a music therapist. My involvement during collegiate career was surrounded with folx working in a student affairs profession. I would give credits to my experiences in New Student Enrollment office that nudged me to look into the field of higher education administration. Fast forward to graduation, I worked as a Resolution Specialist at my undergraduate institution, and towards the end of my work authorization - Optional Practical Training (OPT), I decided to apply for graduate schools in both music therapy, and higher education programs (didn’t know that I can study to work in a higher education setting until then). Both programs were so different, and yet I was in a dilemma to pick a better fit, and the ultimate deal breaker for me was a graduate assistantship that would cover tuition, and the experiential learning that I could have, which was the M.A. in Higher Education Administration program. My graduate assistantship was with the Memorial Student Union focusing on student employee development and programming. It was through an informational interview that I learned about career services, and how I can utilize my transferrable experiences and skills to work with college students to explore their strengths, interests, and connect them with resources to be a successful Boilermaker. All to say that, sometimes it’s okay that you have a few career paths that you are interested in pursuing - speak with a mentor, career counselor, or network with someone within the field because through those conversations, they can bring you insights that you never thought you ever knew, and that can help you in making your decision!
What do you like most about working at the CCO? The welcoming environment, collaborative spirit, and being able to meet with students to support them in their collegiate career at Purdue!
What is the most unusual job you have ever had? One of my first job was working as a personal assistant for a wedding planner – a lot of note taking, organization, scheduling, and arrangements!
Quote you live by: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss
Advice for students: Don’t wait for opportunities, create them! Remember that your opportunities do not come handed to you, you simply have to work upon whatever your dream and passions are, and opportunities are created! Keep yourself motivated, find a mentor, utilize resources on campus, and work towards your passion. Opportunities will start popping-up when you have a goal set, and work on it. It may not be a path that offers you numerous opportunities, but it surely does have a silver lining, never quit and never fret if you do not see a light at the end of the tunnel.
