Peer Advisors Profiles - 2007-2008

Hello All. My name is Andrew Neginskiy and I a 4th year student here at Cal. I'm majoring in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy, and am also interested in business. During my time here at our wonderful University I have had numerous jobs, participated in laboratory research, traveled abroad to Italy for a semester, and took part in a summer internship program at Walmart.com. In my free time I like to go for a swim, catch a movie with friends, or stretch out on Memorial Glade for a good old afternoon nap. If you have any questions about working at Cal, working after Cal, getting an internship, research positions, or traveling abroad, or any other concerns that you might have, feel free to stop by and chat!

Hey guys! My name is Ariana Torres and I can’t stress how excited I am to be working as a Peer Advisor here at Cal. I am currently a sophomore with the intention of doubling in ISF and Dance. I am originally from sunny San Diego where I was fortunate enough to attend Chula Vista’s very own School for the Creative and Performing Arts. This is where I developed my passion for ballet, hip hop, tap, jazz and modern. I am currently a member of Berkeley’s dance group called Movement where I dance Hip Hop. I am always interested in exploring different forms of dance which is why you will probably see my on lower sproul rehearsing my routines. Aside from my love affair with dance I am also a member of LBSA (Latino Business Student Association), HUBBA (Haas undergraduate Black Business Association) and Raza Recruitment and Retention Center. I enjoy every minute that I spend here at Cal and can’t begin to explain how grateful I am for the opportunity to attend a school with such vast resources that are geared towards self improvement. Although it seems that I am constantly on the run I always make time to hang out with my friends, go out dancing and simply enjoy what Berkeley has to offer. Go Bears!

Hey everyone! My name is Charles Fyffe, but people call me Charlie. I am a 2nd year at CAL focused on studying Business Marketing & Social Psychology through the ISF Major. I grew up in LA but my mother is from Belize and my father from Sweden. I have experience in a number of on campus activities (BRRC, HUBBA, Hall Association, Intramural Basketball, Mixed Student Union, Alumni Scholarship, etc...) I am a well rounded individual and take pride in opening up to all people. Working as a Career Center Peer Advisor excites me because it provides me the opportunity to show leadership and work with a team of talented students. Whether you need help with your resume, advice on interviewing, or tips on searching for a job/internship, I am here to help my fellow Golden Bears. I wish you all the best of luck this year. Make sure to stop by for a drop-in session!

How's it going! I’m Danielle, a 5th year Rhetoric student with an insatiable interest in online marketing and web development. I got my feet wet this past summer by working for a dynamic interactive advertising agency in SF called Red Bricks Media (RBM). I learned a great deal about Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and now I plan to nurture a web start-up of my own. I am also currently learning about real estate investing (hopefully by the time you read this, I’ve acquired my first property). My guilty pleasures are magazines: I am the Editor-in-Chief of the Onyx Express, an African-American based UCB student publication. In the past, I worked with the California Legal Studies Journal (CLSJ), corresponded with a staff writer for the Wall Street Journal, and participated in case analysis seminars for FTI Consulting and Cisco. I’ve learned that networking is the only sure-fire way to create opportunities for yourself, so attend our Employer Info Sessions and Career Fairs. Come see me at the Career Center for any insight or encouragement. Whatever stage of exploration you are in, I can help!

Hey everyone! My name is Edith Bretado and I am a 4th year student majoring in Development Studies and taking Pre-Med. Courses. I am currently involved in student organizations such as DULCE, CHE, AMSA and Trenza. I am also in BSP (Biology Scholars Program) and play volleyball with the BSP team . . . Go BSP! I have worked in the Financial Aid Office at Cal and Bath & Body Works. I have volunteered at Kaiser Permanente and will continue volunteering at Children’s Hospital. My plans for the future are to travel with doctors internationally and deliver affordable health care around the world. I also plan to become an ER surgeon and start free clinics in other countries as well as here in the United States. Hmmm, what else . . . I love to play all kinds of sports, enjoy reading and writing, listening to music, cooking and meeting new people. I grew up in South Central LA and I enjoy going back home to see my family. I am very approachable and friendly so whenever you need help with anything or just want to stop by for a chitchat, come to the Career Center and say “Hello!”

Hi everyone! My name is Erica McClanahan and I'm a junior here at Cal and this is my third year here at the Career Center. My intended major is American Studies with an emphasis in Public Health and African American Studies. I have a strong passion for health promotion and health education and am the co-community health worker program coordinator. I love listening to music, dancing, and hanging out with my friends. I am a fun, outgoing, and driven individual. Some of the things that I am involved in on campus are the National Council of Negro Women, the Black Recruitment and Retention Center. I feel very privileged and excited to be able to help you take advantage of all the wonderful and countless resources here at the Career Center and also just hope to serve you as a general resource about the campus. Please bring all your concerns or frustrations and, believe me, you'll be SO glad you did! We are here to help you! Good Luck this semester and hope to see you soon!

My name is Jaya Nathan and this is my third year being a Health Careers Assistant for the Career Center. I am intending to double major in MCB and Psychology and I hope to pursue a career in Nursing to combine my desire to help people and my love for science. I am an active member in Cal's Rotaract Club that specializes in Community Service and in the Pre-Nursing Society. I also devote some of my time volunteering at the Alzheimer's Center of the East Bay where I assist the clients and contribute to the organization's programs. This semester I intend to become actively involved in volunteering at the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and to get more experience with research in the field of psychology/health. I look forward to another exciting semester here at the Career Center and if you have any pre-health/pre-med questions, don't hesitate to ask.

My name is Jessica Parra-Fitch and I am a third year here at Cal studying International Political Economy and Anthropology. I am originally from Tijuana, Mexico, and moved to San Diego around five years ago. I have been very involved on campus over the past two years working as a Resident Assistant in Unit 1 and being an active member of the Biology Scholars Program, the Raza Recruitment and Retention Center, CalSERVE, Trenza and Sigma Kappa. Last summer I studied abroad in Greece and had one of the best experiences of my life. Although this has kept me very busy I still find time to do the things I love which are dancing, traveling, going out with friends and family, the beach, and art. This past summer I participated in the Cal in the Capital program where I interned in Washington D.C. with the Young Americas Business Trust, a non-profit of the Organization of American States that promotes economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. This year I am going to continue to work as a peer advisor so please feel free to come into the info-lab and I will assist you to the best of my abilities.

Greetings! My name is Katherine Riney Reyes and this is my second year at Cal. I originally transferred from Pasadena Community College and my major is Medieval English with a minor in Disability Studies. I am a single parent with three kids and my passions include outdoor recreation (especially sailing and the beach), reading, cooking, learning new things, and incorporating my kids in everything that I do. When I first arrived at Cal, I volunteered as a Bonner Leader under Cal Corps' Public Service Center where I not only learned to become socially active around the community by participating in various projects, but I also actively engaged and encouraged other students to become more active participants, too. It is my goal in life to go into Public Policy/Law so that I may help underserved/disadvantaged individuals acquire better lives through means of equal access. Cal is filled with so many resources that enable its students and alumni to live enriching and fulfilling lives and its students would be crazy not to take advantage of such resources. The Career Center is one such remarkable source; I am enthralled to be working as a peer advisor here: not only am I able to learn of their seemingly unlimited resources, but I am also excited to be able to share them with you! As a single parent, I originally thought I did not have the time to visit the Career Center, but once I did, I found that it was well worth my time. Please visit us and you will see why the Career Center is such an invaluable tool to use throughout your academic life...and after.

Hey everyone!!! My name is Kimeshia Thomas, and I’m one of the new Career Center Peer Advisors. I’m a third year Interdisciplinary Studies Field major with a concentration in Social control through persuasion, influence, and propaganda (I know it’s a mouthful!!!), as well as being Pre-med. This year I’m also a community coordinator for the health worker program. Another campus activity I’m involved in is being a part the Campus Healthcare Department for the office of the President in the ASUC . I’m just really excited about working for the Career Center! A few things about me…well, above all else I love to sleep! I know, I know, a little strange, but if you ask anyone who knows me well they can testify to this fact. Also I love lots of different music, to dance, and to hang out with my friends and family. I love to talk, I guess you could say I like to hear my own voice, but I’m still a good listener, so if you ever want to talk to me or learn about our resource, please feel free! Also I like to laugh and eat chocolate (I know random), but that’s who I am in a nutshell. I’m really looking forward to this upcoming year, and I hope that I can provide you with support and new information.

Hi! My name is Pamela Mendoza. I am a Senior majoring in Molecular Cell Biology with an emphasis in cell and developmental biology. I plan to attend Pharmacy school after Cal. Aside from being a peer, I am actively involved with the PILLS (pre-pharmacy club) and work as a pharmacy clerk at Abbotts Compounding Pharmacy. My hobbies include musical theatre, dancing, basketball, and volleyball. Please feel free to chat with me for any academic or career advice you may need. I am always happy to meet new people and try to be as resourceful as I can. Smile, be optimistic! The Career Center may just have the solutions to your problems. So don't wait, swing by...we'll be waiting for you.

Hey! My name is Tenia Morrisette, and I am a fourth-year student at UCB. My areas of study are Rhetoric/Legal Studies, and I aspire to be an Attorney. In the fall of 2007, I will be interning at the San Francisco District Attorneys office. I am a supporter of Kamala Harris! My interests are reading, listening to music and talking. I am a social person and I love people. This year I will also be a Mentor at Willard YSP. I am strong supporter of community service! Upon graduation, I intend to fellowship for the California Courts for a year, before attending Law School. This will be my first year as a Peer Advisor at the Career Center, and I am excited and look forward to meeting and assisting you! My experience at Cal has been a wonderful one, and the Career Center is an awesome resource for students. So, please don’t hesitate to take a lovely stroll down to the Career Center and meet with a Peer Advisor, we’d love to help you with your career goals!

More info about the Peer Advisor Program