Over the course of the academic year, The Lions’ Pride will highlight its graduates in a series of articles. The articles will update and inform the community on life after graduation.
Ever consider working at company but there is a slim chance for being hired? Ever considering volunteering to get that job opportunity?
Illousia Salazar, a recent graduate in Multimedia management, has a job opportunity at the Pasco Sheriff’s Office as a Social Media Coordinator but did so after volunteering for the office after graduation. She is waiting to start as someone at the position. However, she was not able to start the job right after graduating, even after interning for the office in her final semester. Instead, she volunteered at this organization before being offered the job. Salazar mentioned how it was and why she did this.
“It was tough going from working for the newspaper for three years to not having a job after. What I did was I kept going to my internship as a volunteer to let them know that I was interested in getting a position there whenever one would be available,” said Salazar.
However, she has advice for students regarding finding a job after college.
“Not having a job after college in the field you want is going to be the toughest challenge you have yet to face, but there are ways you can get started,” said Salazar. “For example, let’s say that you’re a health management major and don’t have any connections or jobs lined up after college, start volunteering at a hospital or health center. That way you have your foot in the door and can get to know the industry that you’re going into. It’ll also open up doors for internship and employment opportunities, and you’ll be a top contender because you’ve given the time and effort.”
She also advises students to take advantage of the opportunities available in college to get their foot in the door and have more possibilities after graduating.
“If your major has a field placement program or coordinator, that also helps too. The only major I know that has that program is the criminal justice department. It is beneficial, and you have a high chance of graduating with a job. I highly recommend it to any criminal justice major,” said Salazar.
She emphasized students should take advantage of opportunities because one of her regrets was that she did not know when to ask family members or friends for help. Nevertheless, she got help from a professor and credits this professor with giving the opportunity in the placement program for helping her have the job she has now.
Salazar is participating in her work’s “#TweetAlong” in which a social media coordinator rides with a deputy for a few hours to ask questions.Salazar describes it as a way to humanize the deputies at the sheriff’s office. Credit: Illouisa Salazar
“I owe a lot to my mentor, Dr. Joseph Cillo and his field placement program. Without his help, I’d have no direction in my life and where I’d want to be in the future.”
Her current position at the Paso County Sherriff Office will help her with future career goals.
“I’d really love to do something with film in the future. One of the requirements of my new position is to go out and gather footage of a certain event or department and create a short little video,” said Salazar.
Salazar is the former multimedia manager of The Lions’ Pride. She mentioned that working for the newspaper has helped her to do what she is doing and develop skills and good work ethic.
“Working at The Lions’ Pride also gave me the experience I needed to be a productive and efficient member in the workplace and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities they provided for me. I owe them a lot,” said Salazar.
Also, the other thing she did in college that positively impacting her career was her major.
“My major at Saint Leo was Multimedia Management, and a lot of what I learned in my core classes are still elements that I will be using in my position, especially the Social Media Management class,” said Salazar.
Along with majoring in Multimedia Management and working at The Lions’ Pride, Salazar was able to become involved by being the president of Leo Vision, a multimedia club on campus. However, she still regrets not taking on more challenges.
“I wish I didn’t shy away from the new challenges I faced towards the end of my time at Saint Leo. It’s important to face those head on to grow as a person.”
This connects to her advice for students, especially freshman. She advises that students don’t be shy with asking for help but also don’t be shy or afraid to get involved and pursue goals.
“Stay hungry and don’t be afraid to go after what you want. As an incoming freshman, be aware that it’s nice to have dreams, but you have to make sure you put in the work and time. Don’t shy away from being a leader on campus or even in a group project.”
Nevertheless, she is determined to reach her goals and even though she has some regrets she enjoys the position that she is in now.
