Maya Ordonez

Job: Communications Assistant, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Describe the impact that student employment has had on your overall college experience.

Student employment allowed me to apply skills from my communication and business coursework in a real work environment. The opportunity to work in the Scripps Oceanography Communications office demonstrated how to collaborate as an office and team to meet goals and deadlines. Over 2 years, I was able to learn from each of my coworkers in the office, which is an experience I could not have had in the classroom.

What skills and/or competencies have you developed in your student employment job that you were able to capture on your resume?

In my role as Communications Assistant at Scripps, I wrote over 20 news stories, generated weekly press clippings, built media lists, created social media content, did reporting and analytics, and managed website content. I have learned Social Media Marketing (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, LinkedIn), Sprout Social, Cision, Canva, and CapCut. My office at Scripps has inspired me to think creatively and allowed me to collaborate with the students and scientists at Scripps. Additionally, having a job during my time as a student and being involved in many organizations and leadership roles helped my time management skills.

What tips or advice do you have to share with other students on how to get the most out of their student employment experience?

Learn everything you can about the job you are doing, but also remember to soak in everything and everyone in your environment. Each person in my office taught me so much about work ethic, dedication, and passion.

How might you apply your student employment experience and the skills gained during your time at UC San Diego to your professional career?

I will always remember my first office job, the positive work environment, and the awesome people I got to see every day! I will take everything they have taught me in all of my future workplaces.