[ Golden Gater Online - October 14, 1997 ]
Amy Huslen
Staff writer
SF State alumni and students came together last week for the first-ever roundtable on careers in social policy and change. The forum paired students with working professionals for one-on-one question and answer sessions, networking and internship information.
The round-table forum was a collaboration among the Career Center, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Associated Students. Alumni representing 14 different areas of social policy and change, from the Board of Supervisors to the Conservation Corps, offered advice to students about what to expect after graduation and help in finding the right direction for their careers.
"So many students go to school here who want to make a difference," said Suzanne Rubel from the Career Center. "Having worked here for 15 years, I've seen the need for students to see examples or (role) models to see what they can do."
The goal behind the roundtable was an informal type of job fair, with students getting personal attention and picking the brains of people who were once in the same position. Faculty from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences gave Rubel a list of names of SF State graduates, and she said she had a very positive response.
"When I got the opportunity to give something back, I was more than happy," said Andrew Nelsen, a consultant in data research that effects social policy and a SF State political science graduate.
Jason Riggs, a sociology graduate and an activist going to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute, found few role models in his field that he was eager to participate in the roundtable.
"Social policy and change can be a really confusing area to get in to. There is no clear path. (In the gay community) there has been a big spring up of social issues in the last 30 years. The founders of the big social institutions are just beginning to leave," he said, explaining that leadership opportunities are beginning to open up.
Riggs said the many years of volunteer work he did coupled with his education at SF State helped him define his career path, but added that there were no job fairs or seminars geared toward non-profits.
"I was kind of disappointed in that. It's really exciting that this was put together," Riggs said.
Along with working professionals, student groups from the psychology department joined in to let people know that there is support available on campus that can also help them in career ideas and internships.
"We're here today to let the students know we can help with advisors and classes, mainly because students don't know all the opportunities that are out there," said Lida Faroqi from La Raza Students in Psychology.
"This is a great way to do this, instead of a lecture. You can get a personal viewpoint and all your questions answered. It opens up the mind to the kind of possibilities that are out there," said Jason Poyner from PSI-CHI, a fraternity for psychology honor students. "It's not always easy to bridge your major into an actual position," he said.
The first roundtable was not hugely attended but was greatly appreciated by those who did find their way into the Rosa Parks Room at the student union.
Anita Diaz, an economics senior interested in city planning, talked with Michele Montoya, a two-year veteran at the San Francisco Planning Department, about finding a job.
"She was really helpful and went over the whole internship process. She told me who to call and recommended an advisor. She really let me know what to expect going into city planning," Diaz said.
Montoya's experiences were so positive she wanted to share them with up and coming students.
"Internships are great because people really want to help you learn. They took me under their wing and treated me with a lot of respect. And they were grateful," Montoya said.
[ Golden Gater - October 14, 1997 ]