If you
Take a Triton to Work...
Here’ s what will happen:“ It takes away that fear factor. With our current students and recent grads, the career world may seem so foreign and daunting, but to get a look at a particular industry or just working life in general from a fellow Triton, they see someone thriving and know that it is possible for them, too.”
So says Paula Thomas’ 87, who has led four instances of the Take a Triton to Work program since its inception in spring 2019, with more planned for later this year and spring 2022. This collaboration between UC San Diego’ s Alumni office and Career Center has become a thriving career exploration program, connecting over a thousand students with alumni for a quick chat over coffee, a few hours on the job, or, in the times of pandemic, a short video chat about their careers.
“ It’ s a way alumni can give back in a very meaningful way,” says Thomas.“ It’ s a relatively low time commitment, but makes a profound impact on students who are just starting out in their professional lives.”
Prior to the pandemic, Roosevelt alumna Sarah Stawiski’ 98 hosted two students at the Center for Creative Leadership, a global nonprofit where she is the director of insights and impact. Haleh Yazdi, a PhD student in experimental psychology, and Lauren Weiner, a PhD student in public health, both appreciated the personal connection.“ Sometimes you can read a job description and not know how your skills are transferable,” Yazdi said.“ But to see and experience a company, even just for a few hours, and learn about the different roles from someone who knows is really helpful to visualize yourself in a position.”
The experience was also gratifying for Stawiski, who was happy to provide the kind of perspective that she would have benefitted from in her college days.“ When I was a student, I didn’ t know what all the options were
20 TRITON | FALL 2021