How did your education at Chaminade contribute to your professional success?
Attending Chaminade allowed me to experience working in two very diverse fields: forensics and admissions. As a Forensic Sciences student, I was able to gain skills in scene investigation, evidence collection and analysis, research and many other areas of forensics. I also got professional experience through my internship with the Honolulu Medical Examiner Office. Concurrently, I was an Admissions Student Ambassador. I gave campus tours, conducted calling campaigns, participated in fairs, and learned about the admission profession. Thanks to Chaminade’s close-knit community, I was also able to form meaningful mentor-mentee relationships with the faculty and staff. They recognized my strengths and provided me with guidance as I was searching for a career post-graduation. Being able to learn from their experiences and lean on them when I have questions has made all the difference as I continue to grow professionally.
Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you, either academically or socially?
When I started senior year, I had a lot on my plate. In addition to school and my jobs as an ambassador and TA, I had student government, an internship and the realization that I was graduating in less than a year. As an overachiever, I was used to being heavily involved, and I wanted to ensure that I put forth 150% of my energy into all things. As the semester progressed, I began to feel overwhelmed, and it was hard to find moments to relax. If I had to give up something, I knew it had to be student government, but I was scared to disappoint the people who wanted me there. I remember mustering up the courage to talk with the staff advisors at the time, Joseph Granado and Andrew Ancheta II. They had always had my best interests at heart and acknowledged all the work I had put into my position as Executive Vice President and the Student Senate. They helped me understand that it was OK to put myself first, especially if it meant prioritizing my well-being. Throughout my life, I had always been ready to put aside myself to make others happy but they, along with many other people from the Chaminade community, helped me realize that I deserved 150% of my energy too.
How did your Chaminade education shape your perspective and personal growth?
One of the biggest ways in which my education at Chaminade shaped my perspective is by showing me that it’s OK to change your path and goals. I’ve always been adaptable except when it came to my goals. My tendency was to pick a path and stick to it. Being surrounded by others who had major shifts in their career paths while at Chaminade encouraged me to be fine with the idea of change. Talking with my mentors and advisors helped me to recognize my strengths and passions, leading me to the career I’m in now. I’ve grown to believe that, if I am doing what I am passionate about, I am on the right path. Going through life means discovering where you should be, and I’m thankful that attending Chaminade helped me realize that.
How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?
I jumped into my career as an Admission Counselor less than a month after graduation. During my first year, I learned about a highly selective admission process, was trained in outreach and yield efforts, and got to know students from all over the country. I’ve also taken advantage of professional development opportunities that are open to admission professionals. In August, I attended the Summer Admission Institute which is designed for first and second year admission counselors. Here, I learned from seasoned professionals about their experiences and best practices for working in this field. I’ve also attended two conferences so far, the Western Association for College Admission Counseling and QuestBridge Conference, where I met with colleagues from other institutions, high schools and organizations to learn about how we can best collaborate to help high school students through their college search and application journey. As I move through my career, I know that I will continue to learn something new every day and grow professionally.
How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?
Being a first-generation student, Chaminade was essential to achieving my goal of attending and graduating college. Growing up, I didn’t have much guidance when it came to continuing my education after high school. All I knew was that I had to get into a good school and graduate. Looking back, I recognize that Chaminade was the best place for me to attend. I loved the small class sizes, weekly events and welcoming community that I was surrounded by every day. My experience helped me understand what it means to go to college. It’s more than just an education. You’re going for an experience as well. Working in the admission office and sharing my story with prospective students showed me how much I loved helping them find their “fit.” The summer before my senior year, while working with the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program, was when I decided that that’s what I wanted to do when I graduated. I committed to my goal of encouraging a college-going culture among high school students. Thanks to the guidance of the faculty and staff at Chaminade, I was hired by the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Stanford where I get to pursue a career that is aligned with my personal goal.
