After the Corps

I graduated from Texas Christian University with a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy in the spring of 2011. At the time, I wanted to continue my education through law school and become an attorney. However, a few weeks before graduation, I learned about a new program that was hiring recent TCU graduates to serve in local high schools. I was excited about the prospect of mentoring other young, Hispanic students like myself. I especially liked the idea of helping students bridge the gap between high school and college. I was thrilled when TCU College Advising Corps offered me my first real, post-college job and overjoyed when I learned that I had been the first adviser selected for the new program.

While an adviser at Fort Worth Polytechnic High School, TCU gave me the opportunity to earn my first masters degree. In 2013, I graduated with the first class of TCU College Advising Corps and from TCU with a Masters of Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Latin American Studies. I took my aspirations into international business where I worked as a Latin America Marketing Assistant for a large multi-national corporation before having the opportunity to return to TCU College Advising Corps as the Assistant Program Coordinator.

College Advising Corps is again giving me new opportunities – I am now pursuing a MBA at TCU’s Neeley School of Business while helping to grow the Corps at TCU, mentoring new advisers, and supporting national data collection efforts. I am both appreciative and aware of how College Advising Corps affected my career trajectory.  Once an aspiring attorney, my service as an adviser has pointed me toward a career path where I now push others to seek self-improvement through education and entrepreneurship. I am proud to be a member of College Advising Corps and to have had the opportunity and privilege to serve so many students in my local community.

Upon graduation, I wanted to find a job that made impactful changes in places that mattered. That is why I became an adviser with the Advising Corps at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a job that was both meaningful and provided a smooth transition from college to career. As a college adviser, every day mattered to the students I met with — I helped bridge an educational gap with students in rural NC, encouraging them to dream and succeed.

This job requires more than just the ability to talk and connect with students. It requires believing in the mission of College Advising Corps and believing in yourself — being able to take yourself seriously enough to get it done and take yourself lightly enough to have a good time. My two years as an advisor taught me to find my own personal balance at work and effectively lead and follow others. After my service, I became a Community Director at Guilford College. I used my experiences gained at College Advising Corps every day on and off the clock. I managed my own schedule, made my own goals, and efficiently worked in teams to accomplish large-scale objectives, even when team dynamics change. As an adviser, I had the camaraderie of fellow advisers and was further supported and challenged by understanding, dedicated supervisors. I never felt stranded or lost because I could pull from my experiences as an adviser and persevere. I created my own work ethic and held myself accountable while making a difference.

I am confident and prepared for my future, and Carolina College Advising Corps helped me get there. When I accepted this job, I did not realize the impact it would have on my future, but I am certainly glad it did. You would be hard pressed to find a Carolina College Advising Corps alum who regrets his/her time in the field. Each experience is unique, shaped by individual decisions, perseverance, and attitude. I now know how creative, flexible, and dedicated I can be, and I learned how to empower others to step up and lead when the time calls for it. I am proud and grateful for the opportunity I had to serve. I look forward to my next journey while pursuing my Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington. Serving with College Advising Corps has given me the skills and confidence to excel and the inspiration to serve students with vigor.

Working with College Advising Corps has been educational, influential, and extremely rewarding. Serving as the first adviser at my high school alma mater allowed me to view the school from the staff perspective and showed me how crucial this program is. My experience at College Advising Corps helped shape my future plans. The skills I acquired and the perspective I gained will help me achieve my goals and aspirations.

After graduating from the University of Idaho, I was leaning toward attending law school but not quite ready to make the step. After serving with College Advising Corps, I felt confident and prepared to pursue a career in law. I was fascinated by the rules and regulations that govern everything in the schools, and I was disheartened by the complexities of the system that served as a barrier to many children and teachers. While serving the students directly was quite informative and rewarding, I quickly realized that my true passion is working within that system.

I will be attending law school in the fall at The College of William and Mary’s Marshall-Wythe Law School, and I am considering pursuing a joint degree with a Masters of Public Policy. I want to work in shaping education policy and remove those stifling barriers for students. The skills and perspective I gained while working for College Advising Corps will be invaluable. My ability to speak to and advocate for all types of people has certainly improved. Advocacy skills are critical as a college adviser and as a lawyer; a client in a civil lawsuit is analogous to a student navigating the admissions process. Working with a school’s rules, priorities, cultures, and students has dramatically improved my time management, ability to prioritize, organization, and overall efficiency. When discussing the language of policy and case law, thanks to this opportunity with College Advising Corps, I will always carry with me the perspective of my students and my hometown.