Meet Christina!
Christina chose to pursue a major in Sustainability because it combines the areas she cares about the most: the environment, social impact, and business.
“It felt like a well-rounded field that aligned with my values. I also appreciated the flexibility of the major, it offers a wide range of career paths that I can tailor to my specific interests.”
Noteworthy experiences:
- Carnival Cruise Line Summer Internship
- National Science Foundation’s REU
Competencies Christina finds essential to her current success:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Professionalism
- Career & Self-Development
Overcoming challenges:
“I think one of the biggest challenges is how saturated the job market is. On top of that, dealing with imposter syndrome can make you feel like you’re not qualified for roles you’re actually capable of doing. It’s important to remember that applying to jobs often means facing a lot of rejections but that’s just part of the process. As long as you put your best foot forward, you’ll eventually find a position that’s the right fit for you. Even if you don’t have direct experience, it’s all about highlighting how your existing skills align with the job requirements.”
Support and mentorship:
“I found my REU experience through the University of South Florida’s website, thanks to a recommendation from one of my professors. I believe USF and its faculty do a great job of encouraging students to pursue meaningful and rewarding opportunities.”
Christina’s advice to USF students:
“The advice I would give to other students is to take full advantage of the resources your school offers; they can really help you get your foot in the door. Also, start early! I can’t stress that enough. The earlier you begin gaining experience, the better positioned you’ll be for job opportunities after graduation. Ultimately, how you use these resources is what sets you apart from your peers in the job market.”