As Darius Angel Ibarra approaches his graduation this spring with a major in Philosophy, he will transition from a part-time to a full-time position as an Admissions Counselor at San Joaquin College of Law. Ibarra had the opportunity to connect with a recruiter from SJCL at the Fall 2023 Career Fair where he was able to secure an interview that will ultimately lead to his full-time position. His experience reflects not only his academic achievements but also the proactive steps he took to achieve a promising career.
What field or industry are you interested in?
I am interested in going into counseling in higher education.
What steps have you taken to gain practical experience in your desired field?
I have gained great experience by working on campus at the Money Management Center. I was able to work with students one-on-one and assist them on their financial journeys. It really ignited my interest in becoming a counselor and assisting students in any way possible.
In what ways has the Career Development Center supported you in acquiring the essential skills for success in your career?
I had my resume looked over as well as participated in mock interviews with some of the counselors at Career Development Center. It educated me on the steps necessary for career readiness and skills to take into one’s career. Their Career Fairs also allowed me to connect with employers from around the Central Valley. At the most recent Career Fair last fall, I was able to meet the recruiter that offered me an interview for an Admissions Counselor position at San Joaquin College of Law.
What other resources or services on campus have you utilized to support your career growth? How have they supported you?
I have used the Learning Center who have been tremendous in supporting my academics. I believe my major and skills gained along the way with the Learning Center helped sculpt the knowledge I am able to provide going into my career.
Where do you envision yourself in your career five years from now?
I envision myself with a master’s degree as a counselor within higher education, assisting the next great leaders of future generations.
What advice would you offer to incoming freshmen who are seeking guidance on starting their career journey?
I would tell them to start as soon as possible. It is never too early to begin their career journey, and I would also tell them to utilize all resources available to them. They must gain experience in order to get to where they need to be.