Natalie Becerra
Career Development Specialist
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
How did you gain experience when you were a student?
I started small and had many on-campus jobs – which I loved! The on-campus jobs served as great steppingstones for me. I started out as an Ambassador for CoJMC the fall semester of my freshman year. Then I started working at the Office of Admissions as the External Relations Intern during the spring semester of my freshman year up until I graduated. I also was a Peer Mentor with the Second Year Edge Learning Community and worked at the front desk of the Visitor’s Center for a summer to help schedule and coordinate campus visits. Those on-campus roles gave me great interpersonal skills I could take into any industry. I also had the chance to intern at Swanson Russel in their accounts department my junior year of college, which helped me learn more about the advertising industry. Which was very beneficial since my major was in Advertising and Public Relations and that’s what I went on to do after I graduated from college!
How did you become a career development professional?
I’ve always had a passion for development. I started volunteering with Launch Leadership, a local nonprofit, when I was a senior in high school. From that experience I discovered that I love working with students and helping them grow. After being in the advertising industry my first year out of college I felt pulled back to higher education to work with students and help them achieve their goals. I came back to be the Recruiter for the College of Arts and Sciences and had a great time connecting prospective students with majors that fit with their interests and goals. But what I loved most was working with the student ambassadors and helping them grow and develop professional and life skills. That’s what led me to this role in CoJMC where I get to work with current students more closely and help them prepare for their futures and secure jobs and internships to get them on the right track!
Who is someone who impacted your career development?
There have been so many people that have made an impact along the way. I’ve learned a lot from every job I’ve had, but someone who stands out most is my supervisor when I was an intern at the Office of Admissions – Georgia Gleason. She is still my number one hype woman today and always encourages me to chase my dreams. She gives me sound advice when I need it most and has always been there to help me think through what the next step is in my career. I aspire to be other peoples’ “Georgia” – a hype woman that helps others see their great potential and help them achieve their goals.
