Success Stories

Need a little inspiration for your job, internship, or graduate school search? These Cal students found great opportunities and so can you! Check out their success stories—besides inspiration, they also show that academic major does not have to restrict your goals and that there are many ways to land a perfect position!

For your convenience, Success Stories are listed in alphabetical order by academic major. To search for a specific major, press Ctrl + F and enter a key word.

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Success Stories
Architecture, Alumni	Job: Founder/Principle Partner, Archéspace GWSC "I started my firm because I was an associate at another firm, and I wasn't designing the way I wanted. Knowing the Cal way of designing and after getting input from colleagues, friends, and family, I decided to leave and start my own firm. Now I make sure that experienced and entry level designers give the clients what they want. I strive to do a good job for a client rather than focus on making money. When you start your own business you not only have to work in your own business but also be on top of it - that's a key component."	Gary W.
Architecture, Alumni	Job: Principal, Anshen+Allen Architects "I was kind of naïve, because I didn't research when I was first looking for a job and we didn't have websites back then. But, I approached the firm, and it was just getting started in Los Angeles. I worked ten years in that office. Later I moved up to our San Francisco location and worked there for eleven years. The best part of my job is working with our staff and our clients, because they are good people. I work mainly with academic clients - brilliant researchers. I didn't anticipate how great our work is, because I was just looking for a job. I take great satisfaction from making a social contribution."	Gregory B.
Architecture, Alumni	Job: Junior Designer, ELS Architecture and Urban Design "I found my job at the CED (College of Environmental Design) Career Fair. I talked to the recruiter and later to the director. I gave ELS Architecture and Urban Design my resume, and they contacted me two weeks later. What do I like best about my job? Your designs impact how people live, it makes you feel appreciative. Also, by the time I graduated, I was so burnt out with the shifting and demanding schedule of school and activities. It's nice to have a rhythm, and I have my weekends."	Kim V.
Architecture, Alumni	Job: Principal, PSM Architects, Inc. "I worked with the firm the year after I graduated for two and a half years. I later worked at other firms. The original firm then reformed and I went back and have been there since. It is important to know that because you leave a firm it doesn't mean you cannot come back especially if you liked that firm. Never close the door, because you never know where you might end up. But it is also important to learn to work at other firms as well, so not only do you learn new things, you can teach and implement those ideas at your new jobs."	Laile G.
Architecture, Alumni	Job: Project Architect, Anshen+Allen Architects "I knew someone at Anshen+Allen and through networking landed an interview. I met the criteria for the job and got it. At the time, I was looking for a middle sized firm. only to see it double in size! I really like the culture in that it is a big firm, but it feels like a small one. I worked in architecture firms before, and I was looking more for the environment and benefits and not the work so much."	MCristina B.
Architecture, Alumni	Job: Principal, Rainforth Grau Architects "I had a great job in architecture: great pay, benefits, and a secure future, but the clients were telling me that they wanted a higher level of professional service, namely they wanted architects to be accountable for their work. I didn't feel that the firm I was with understood that, and I was inspired to leave that secure job and start my own practice and it has been a twenty year story of success. I learned that there were a lot of things that I didn't know, and I didn't know how to do them. But I figured them out, and I'm very happy. I could not be an employee in a firm. I always knew I was going to be a principal."	Michael R.
Architecture, Alumni	Job: Project Coordinator, Ware Malcomb "I placed my resume on the American Institute of Architects website. I received a call from the receptionist and came in for an interview and got the job. Ware Malcomb is people oriented and I learn a lot from everybody. It's an environment with a lot of camaraderie. Place your resumes wherever you can and be prepared to take advantage of opportunities."	Mylanie L.
Architecture, Alumni	Job: Chief Operations Officer, McGinnis Chen Associates "I was one of the first working for Wurster, Bernardi and Emmons, a firm in San Francisco. I worked there a couple of years then moved on to other firms. An associate I met at Wurster, Bernardi and Emmons recommended me to take his place as he retired. When I switched to another firm, they were a forensic architectural firm with investigations and were more demanding technically. No matter how much architectural experience you have, it takes two to three years to take up forensics. Two years later, I became the principal of the firm."	Ronald M.
Architecture, Alumni	Job: Designer, HMC Architects "I interned with my company the summer before I got my job with them. Now I have worked full time for three and a half years for HMC Architects. I reached out to the company after driving to the airport and seeing the HMC Architects sign. I called and emailed them. It is really good to do an internship no matter where you are, because the professional world is different from school. Embrace the fact that you are young and know that you can build upon your foundation."	Susan C.
Architecture, Alumni	Job: Drafting/Design Staff, CAS Architects, Inc. "I came to the CED (College of Environmental Design) Career Fair last year. I emailed CAS Architects right after the fair. I checked online to see if they responded, but they didn't. It turned out they tried to email me back but couldn't. Two weeks later I got a package saying how they were trying to email me with pages of printed emails. I interviewed and got the job, but I almost lost a job that way! The best part of my job is the people and the working environment. Remember, everything is a learning process no matter how old you are."	Tri V.
Architecture & Economics, Alumni	Graduate School: Analyst/Grad Student, Harvard Graduate School of Design "I've recently graduated with a double major in Architecture and Economics and a minor in City of Regional Planning. I am working at HOK Advance Strategies for the summer, and will head out to Harvard in the fall. I am very excited for the opportunity to better integrate my background in architecture and economics, and further my understanding in urban planning and real estate development. I am also looking forward to an East Coast experience." Career Center Assistance: "The Career Center's online resources were very helpful for me as I was stressing through graduate school application process. I used the application timeline to pace myself, and used the tips regarding recommendation letters and personal statement."	Sara L.
Bioengineering, Sophomore	Internship: Intern, UCSF "As an Intern at the Tecott lab at the UCSF Mission Bay campus, I have the ability to perform unique research that is very exciting and promising. The skills that I learned from this internship are extremely valuable and the research itself is also very rewarding. " Career Center Assistance: "I found out about the position through the Career Center's Internship CareerMail."	Ronney T.
Biophysics, Masters	Job: Research Associate, Lawrence Labs "It’s the same place that I researched in as an undergraduate. I interviewed with the professor for the job. It provided me with experience in writing and technical aspects."	Michelle L.
Business, Junior	Internship: Cost Analyst, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream "I first found out about Dreyer's through the Career Fair. I signed up to be considered for their new internship, and by the next month I was being called in for first round interviews. From there I went on to second round interview and was informed later of my acceptance. Since I was the first intern the Operations Finance department had ever hired, it was a new experience for both sides, and I have loved every stop of it. Dreyer's is a fast-paced company, known for their constant innovation and desire to be on the forefront of their industry. Working in such a company, you are always busy, but at the same time you are energized by the work that you do. And there's no need to be stressed out - just eat some ice cream! I have worked on numerous projects that have challenged and stretched me, and I don't think any other company would have allowed me to tap into so many different areas. I am very happy to say that I have received an extended offer to work for Dreyer's due to my work performance. I can definitely say that this is one place where I love what I do."	Janie L.
Business Administration, Alumni	Job: Associate Consultant, Towers Perrin "I just started my new job less than two months ago after graduating in December. The best part thus far is being closely involved in large-scale change implementations that help businesses solve their specific needs. I am enjoying the travel, work environment, my boss, and colleagues. Towers Perrin allows for the development of my skills through broad exposure to many types of business situations. " Career Center Assistance: "The Career Center helped me land a job before I even graduated. It was all very simple: I attended a career fair, met a recruiter, and was called back for numerous interviews. "	Melissa C.
Business Administration, Freshman	Internship: INROADS intern, KPMG "As a freshman, it is very hard to receive an internship with the big four accounting firms. However, through perseverance and a GREAT program called INROADS, I will be interning for KPMG. Since I am an INROADS intern for the firm, I will have the opportunity to come back each summer leading up to graduation with the end goal being full-time employment. " Career Center Assistance: "The many career fairs hosted by the Career Center helped me by providing an arena for interacting with business professionals. I went to these career fairs and networked with individuals. Sometimes my interactions ended too quickly since I was a freshman. However, I was able to continue conversations due to the fact of my participation in INROADS. Overall, one should utilize his/her participation in any organization as a reference point for communicating with recruiters. "	Maibi B.
Business Administration, Senior	Job: Tax Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers "I will be starting a full time position with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Fall 2007 after successfully completing a tax internship with the company during summer 2006. I am looking forward to working after graduation with PwC because of the great ties I established with employees during the internship."	Chika O.
Chemical Engineering, Senior	Internship: Engineering Intern, Bayer Health Care, Summer 2006 "It was a great experience. Like a full time job, I could practice my skills and apply what I learned in school."	Fenelia K.
Chicano Studies & Sociology, Senior	Graduate School: Masters in School Counseling and PPS Program at USC "I am really looking forward to being a gradute student and focusing more on my interests. I have heard great things about the USC program, which will prepare me to be a school counselor. I'm also looking forward to moving to LA to experience that community." Career Center Assistance: "The Career Center has a great Letter Service for students. I used it several times to send my letters of recommendation to graduate schools and it was very reliable."	Perla S.
City Planning, Alumni	Job: Project Manager, Citizens Housing Corporation "My friend from Cal graduated and referred me to this position. I work on affordable housing development - everything required to build affordable housing such as finding sites, and working with managing consultants and engineers. I learned that a lot of skills in school are applied. The theories really do apply to the world."	Desiree E.
Civil and Environmental Engineering & Business Administration, Junior	Fellowship: Blum East Africa Fellow, Richard C. Blum Center for Developing Economies "This summer, I will be traveling with a team of students to the Nakaseke district of Uganda, where we will study how to implement information and communication technologies in order to improve the rural healthcare system. I am looking forward to experiencing another culture, meeting new people, and spending my time in a productive and interesting way." Career Center Assistance: "I found out about this opportunity through a CareerMail email from the Career Center and haven't stopped reading them since. I am now subscribed to almost every category and I forward any opportunities that are not relevant to me to friends who I think might be interested."	Jessica H.
Cognitive Science, Junior	Internship: Intern, Twistage "Twistage is a small web start-up company that offers a hosted video service. Because of the small size, the developers didn't have time to hold my hand, and, consequently, I was given quite a bit of responsibility, even as an intern. I was given free reign to develop a framework for browser-based testing, which is now being used as part of the QA done before each of their bimonthly releases, and which has caught a couple bugs which might otherwise have been deployed to our production servers. I was then moved on to developing multiple search features that clients can use to search videos, video metadata, and documentation. The experience was great - I learned about several technologies that I had never worked with before, I picked up a new programming language, I was able to pick the brains of some really smart, experienced guys, and in the course of 12 weeks I did more programming than in all my coursework combined. And apparently, they were as pleased as I was, because the CEO personally extended me a job offer (which I refused in order to finish my degree), and expressed interest in having me do some work over winter break. " Career Center Assistance: "I found out about the internship through CalJobs."	Aaron B.
Computer Science, Alum	Job: Business Analyst, Chevron Information Technology "I got my job through On-Campus Recruiting. After I interviewed with Chevron at the Career Center, I had two on-site interviews--one at Chevron Park and a one-on-one interview at Cal Chevron. I like that Chevron is a big company and that I can change positions within it. I also like that I travel globally, and when I do, I travel business class. From my trips, I have learned about different cultures. For instance, in Thailand, you don't put your feet up. Also, if you come from headquarters, you are treated with the utmost respect no matter how old you are."	Carolen M.
Conservation and Resource Studies, Alumni	Internship: Research Assistant , Pesticide Action Network of North America "PANNA is a San Francisco based non-profit that promotes environmentally sustainable and socially responsible alternatives to pesticides at the state, national, and international level. My boss acts as a contributing author to the International Assessment on Agricultural Science and Technology, a report led by the United Nations and written collaboratively by over 400 authors worldwide. Assisting my boss has given me the opportunity to see the development of an influential report that involves academics, government, and industry. I help my boss analyze rough drafts and process the many feedback comments from reviewers of the report. The internship is a great transition after college; the part-time commitment gives me a taste of work in the non-profit sector. My extraordinarily appreciative boss lives in Berkeley, and we usually meet in the cafe Brewed Awakening once a week to discuss my work for the week. She even treats me to a latte-not such a trivial act after the financial aid money dries up! Yet most importantly, it feels rewarding to work with PANNA and watch "the Assessment" of world agriculture evolve into a future resource for policy makers, academics, and the general public. " Career Center Assistance: "The Career Center helped me craft a professional resume and cover letter. The counselors helped me effectively articulate myself as promising candidate as I prepared my internship application for PANNA."	Jeremy S.
Conservation and Resource Studies (emphasis on Biological Pest Control), Alumni	Job: Associate Energy Specialist , California Energy Commission "I was unemployed for eleven months until my mom urged me to apply for jobs with the state. The Energy Commission requires only a Biological Degree and Bachelors Degree so I got onto the list through the state and was interviewed. An eccentric supervisor who thought having an entomologist on staff would be fundamental hired me. I've worked diligently for the past 2 and half years and was recently promoted to Associate Energy Specialist. I actually work with the petroleum industry on fuel supply concerns. I am not working in what I imagined, but I enjoy it because I am able to do a variety of tasks and rub shoulders with the industry with my own ideas on policy matters that influence the Fuel and Transportation Commission."	Keith O.
Development Studies, Senior	Fellowship: Fulbright Scholar, Fulbright Commission "Throughout my college experience I have developed both my passions for teaching English and traveling. So, naturally, when I heard about the Fulbright teaching assistantships abroad, I was really excited and decided to apply. I am so glad that I took that risk, because now I get to teach English in Malaysia on a Fulbright grant!"	Sarah J.
Development Studies, Sophomore	Internship: Legislative Intern, Cal-in-Sacramento Platinum Fellowship "As a freshman entering Berkeley, I was unsure of my career goals. I thought politics might be my future, but did not really have any experience in the field. When I interviewed for the Cal-in-Sacramento Platinum Fellowship program, it was almost on a whim; however, I was excited when I learned I was accepted into the program. Throughout spring semester, I was taught about California politics from a former Assembly member and was eventually offered four internship opportunities at the Capitol. I am currently in Sacramento working for an Assembly member and am excited every day when entering my office in the morning. Not only do I experience the real-life application of politics, but I can see how I might be able to fit into this profession. My job allows me the freedom to see politics and policy truly applied: sitting in on lobbyist meetings with the Assembly member, watching committee hearings, researching possible bill ideas. I am glad for this opportunity because it has advanced my passions and has allowed me to further cement my career goals. I came to Berkeley unsure of my future, but leave my freshman year with a better understanding of where I want my life to lead." Career Center Assistance: "I originally looked at the Career Center website for possible summer internships in politics. The Career Center website directed me to the UC Center in Sacramento Scholar Intern Program, which first kindled my interest in working with state politics. Upon learning that this program was only available to Juniors and Seniors, I began to look further and eventually discovered the Cal-in-Sacramento Platinum Fellowship Program."	Andrew A.
Economics, Senior	Internship: Marketing Intern, MyNewPlace "Working for a startup company is great! You get to be really involved in the projects that build the foundations of company growth. Since it was a small company, I was also allowed to attend weekly company meetings where I was able to learn so much about the industry as well as the planning of company growth in the market." Career Center Assistance: "I found this internship through CalJobs. It wasn't very hard at all, I just sent in my resume and MyNewPlace responded back in a few days!"	Hartie C.
Economics & French, Senior	Internship: Finance Intern, IBM "I applied through the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity's Global Corporate Financial Leadership program. There is extensive training before the internship (1.5 weeks, and weekends), and plenty of guidance and networking sessions with VPs. "	Jie M.
Economics & Political Science, Senior	Job: Consultant, Protiviti Consulting "I chose to work for Protiviti for a number of reasons. When I was deciding between my job offers, I looked at, in order of importance, the location, when I could start, and salary. Protiviti was the only one that allowed me to start working in September whereas a lot of my friends have to start working in July. Having a break between school and work was really important to me. Protiviti was also the most proactive about recruiting me. I met them at a career fair and they were the ones who initiated contact with emails about socials. They assigned a mentor to me to answer my questions and they even made sure that my mentor had a background similar to mine. He was a Cal alum and an economics major. Their efforts made me want to work for them."	Wylie P.
EECS, Junior	Internship: Software Engineer Intern, Cisco Systems "My success story is about an upcoming summer internship that I obtained via OCR. It started with the career fairs that happen almost every month here. I met a lot of company representatives, got interested in internship positions, and applied through CalJobs On-Campus Recruiting (OCR). Applying for positions was easy through OCR, and I had many opportunities to interview with extremely bright people. After dozens of interviews, some second rounds and some not, I actually started receiving offers. I was worried that I would not have any, but spreading your net wide and applying to all the positions that look interesting helps. I actually had a lot of choices by the end of March, and it came down to choosing a company that had a lot of talented people I could learn from during the summer. Cisco also has the 'Cisco Choice' program, which lets me choose a project that I'd want to work on. That is something I look forward to doing as I begin work there this summer."	Simon T.
EECS, Senior	Job: Tech Project Manager, Microsoft Corp. "I interned for Microsoft for several months last semester and beginning 2008, I will work for them full time in Seattle, Washington. I went to a career fair my sophomore year and applied for Microsoft after talking to some representatives. After three rounds of interviews, I was offered the position. As an Associate Project Intern, I met many people who offered guidance and advice. Plus, my team had over 70 people and it was really fun. It really let me experience the company and job. I traveled and expanded my network."	Alina F.
EECS & Economics, Junior	Internship: IBM Extreme Blue Intern, IBM "IBM Extreme Blue is a unique internship program in that you can view each team of 3 technical interns and 1 MBA as a startup. We are given an idea from the beginning, and as a team, we are responsible for designing, prototyping, and "selling" our project by the end of the summer. An intern of the program will get to learn and enhance technical skills as well as basic business concepts." Career Center Assistance: "As for how I got the opportunity, I went to the Career Center Internship and Summer Job Fair and I talked to one of the people from IBM. They asked me if I wanted to start something new and take a risk in working on something that may or may not work. I said yes, and after 4 interviews, I got an offer."	Jerry H.
English, Junior	Internship: TheatreWorks "The summer after my first year at Berkeley I interned at TheatreWorks, a professional theatre company based in Palo Alto, CA. Working regularly at a theatre company gave me access to the behind-the-scenes workings of nonprofit theatre. I now have a better respect for not only the artists that are usually associated with the performing arts, but the administrative and crew professionals who make sure the entire production comes together."	Vivian H.
Environmental Engineering, Alumni	Job: Associate/Hydrologist, Philip Williams and Associates (PWA) "I was posting my resume for everything and had difficulty finding a job partly for geographic reasons. My brother-in-law then recommended PWA and got the ball rolling. I tried to do it myself, but I think employers valued the recommendation knowing that it came from a reliable source. I am doing something that I feel good about doing. I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the office, but it is also mentally stimulating and challenging. I learn something every day. Through my job, I learned that I was good at some things I didn't expect to be good at, such as managing my own time, interacting with people, technical skills, and writing."	Matt W.
Environmental Sciences, Alumni	Job: Environmental Affairs Manager, Levi Strauss & Co. "I was working for an environmental engineering firm, and Levi Strauss & Co. was my main client. I was helping with EPA regulation and management, and Levi Strauss & Co. had close to 50 facilities at the time. I did that for a couple of years, and it turned out that Levi Strauss & Co. needed more help regarding environmental affairs. So I interviewed with a lot of different functions and had 5-6 one-on-one interviews. I later had 7-8 people interview me, and I got the job. I have to interface with a lot of different office units, organizing legal, real estate, health and safety, and chemistry folks. I constantly am learning and working with a lot of great people."	Colleen K.
Environmental Sciences, Alumni	Job: Grantee, US EPA, Region 9 "I am a Grantee for the US EPA in Region 9 offices in San Francisco. There is a new Superfund Division initiative to promote the use of renewable energy and to reduce emissions from the heavy duty diesel equipment on their hazardous waste cleanup sites. My job is to research solar, wind, biomass, and landfill gas technologies as well as cleaner fuels and retrofit equipment for diesel equipment. I am writing a guide for project managers on how to implement these technologies. The most rewarding aspect of this job is how I get to learn something new almost every day! Having a job that allows me to expand my knowledge is very important to me. It's also wonderful to work on such a great initiative to reduce our environmental footprint!" Career Center Assistance: "I used the Career Center website for tips on the format and content of my resumes and cover letters. I visited the Career Center for counselor feedback on my resume. The career fairs and guest speakers were great to find out more about what I could do with my major. I also found the posting for this job on CalJobs."	Jenn W.
Environmental Sciences, Alumni	Job: Business Development Director, GreatSchools, Inc. "I was working part-time in sales/leasing at a development company during the time when I was a student here at Cal. When I graduated, I was offered a full time position as a Leasing Assistant. After many other jobs, I landed a sales/business development job at GreatSchools after I found the job opening on Craigslist."	Lisa F.
Environmental Sciences, Alumni	Job: Staff Scientist, ATC Associates Inc. "I found the job posting on CalJobs, and after I submitted my application the company contacted me. I had an interview with ATC Associates Inc., and it was only my third interview. I was nervous yet prepared. ATC Associates Inc. has a great environment, and there a lot of Cal grads who work there. My job is flexible, and I get to go around to different sites throughout the Bay Area. From my job, I have become more aware of how contaminated water, soil, and the environment is."	Noli V.
Environmental Sciences, Junior	Job: Teaching Assistant, Chinese Department, University of California, Berkeley "Through my position, I learned about communication with people of different backgrounds. I was able to speak to them about their culture."	Shu S.
Environmental Sciences, Senior	Job: Environmental Scientist, US Environmental Protection Agency "I will be working in the Region 9 office of the US Environmental Protection Agency in San Francisco, specifically helping to develop and implement Clean Water Act programs for Native American tribes in California, Arizona, and Nevada. This position is technically a two-year internship, but allows for all the benefits of full-time employment (health insurance, vacation, etc.). I am looking forward to applying the skills I've learned as an Environmental Sciences major at Berkeley to the real world, while also getting an idea of what I might like to study in graduate school." Career Center Assistance: "I attended a nonprofit career fair on campus in February and submitted my resume to EPA representatives, who answered my questions and informed me of this Federal Career Internship Program. I had previously been weary of career fairs, but this one offered a nice calm, non-competitive environment in which I could ask honest questions and hear about the work that environmental scientists and other government workers do. I was called into their office for two interviews and was offered the job at the end of March-- the great thing is, I start in the fall so still get to enjoy graduation and summer!"	Vijay L.
Environmental Sciences, Sophomore	Internship: Intern, eBay "I was casually speaking to my next door neighbor, and I mentioned was looking for a job. He said he could use an intern in his department at eBay, and he would set something up for me. Two weeks later I was starting work, doing research for the Disruptive Innovations team. My colleagues were very intelligent and friendly,and the job really helped me get a sense of what the corporate world is like. Though this job wasn't really related to my field of study, I made sure to check out the eco-eBay team and was actually able to do some work for them. I conducted three informational interviews while I was there and I'm considering applying for an internship with eBay next summer. It just goes to show you should network with everyone because your next great contact might just be your next door neighbor. " Career Center Assistance: "I attended the Resume Writing workshop organized by the Career Center. I'd never made a resume before and had no idea how to begin. The workshop gave me a lot of insight into how employers use resumes and how to lay mine out. "	Anne S.
Film Studies & Anthropology, Senior	Job: CEO, Unfun Records / The Wooden Horse Publishing "The last three years studying at BerkeleyI expanded a music hobby into a full-time job and corporation. I am now the CEO of an independent record company called Unfun Records. With Unfun, I focus mainly on underground rock and punk bands. This summer I will be developing a publishing company to go along with the record label and affiliating with the Publishing Rights Organization ASCAP. During my first year at Berkeley I worked with the famed band Aiden who has appeared on MTV2 and tours internationally on a regular basis. During the summer between my junior and senior year, I worked to secure an exclusive in-store distribution deal with a large independent distributor, Lumberjack Mordam Music Group. Most recently I have started a sub label to work with electronic artists. Currently I am working with over 15 bands and my label will be pushing its 40th release around September. In school I took as many film production courses as I could with the intention of producing and scripting music videos for the bands that I work with. After school I intent to continue with Unfun and will continue school for an MBA or JD or both." Career Center Assistance: "The Career Center helped me to be successful with my own company by helping me land a marketing internship with American Airlines during my senior year. I have taken the experience I gained from brainstorming in large groups and developing marketing strategies at American Airlines and applied it to my own work. It has enabled me to develop a hobby into a corporation with higher ambitions and long-term future goals. The internship also enabled me to grow personally. Using my flight benefits from American Airlines, I was able to visit family abroad and to develop strong relationships with them, and broaden my world view. I met people abroad whom I will be close to for the rest of my life and have only my educational experience at Berkeley to thank. With my new attitude and growth, I intend to study abroad and work overseas during my post-graduate life."	Johnny D.
History, Alumni	Job: Manager, Human Resources, San Jose Unified School District "The academic and intellectual preparation I received at Cal allowed me to take advantage of opportunities in public education to be a teacher, a principal K-12, a superintendent K-12, and in my present role where I am in charge of human resources for approximately 11,100 classified employees and labor relations with three unions in an outstanding school district."	George R.
History, Sophomore	Internship: Cozen O'Connor "This summer I will be interning at Cozen O'Connor in the Washington, D.C. office, which is a small part of their top-10 largest international firm. I will have the opportunity to work daily with attorneys in business litigation and white collar criminal defense. I was able to get this internship through a Cal alum who forwarded my Career Center-aided resume to her boss." Career Center Assistance: "After participating in an externship with an attorney over Winter Break for two weeks through the Career Center, I was finally able to see what a law career would entail. This experience was invaluable to my search for summer internships as well as the one-on-one guidance I received as help with my resume."	Breeanna F.
IEOR, Senior	Internship: Operations Database Intern, E & J Gallo Winery "The best part of the internship was that I got to deal with real data for over 1000 employees. I've learned a lot about the true environment of work settings where lots of projects are time-sensitive and result-oriented. E & J Gallo winery actually came to the Cal Career Fair looking for business major students (for their HR department); however, the recruiter took my resume and forwarded it to one of the operations managers who later became my boss. One piece of advice I can give is don't be discouraged even though the organization is not looking for your major. Share your resume with as many companies as possible!"	Sung K.
Industrial Engineering, Junior	Internship: Corporate Finance Intern, Equilar "I came upon this position at a career fair. It really allowed me to learn about corporate environments."	Michael L.
Integrative Biology, Alum	Job: Placement Supervisor, CA Transplant Donor Network "I found my job on Craigslist and applied. When I was applying, I didn't think I was qualified, and I thought at the minimum it would be a good opportunity just for the interview. I almost didn't even attend the interview. Before I interviewed, I went on the Career Center website and looked at the interview tips and possible questions the employers might ask, some of which they did. I'm glad I followed through on the interview because now I have been at my job for six years and I enjoy it and having my work appreciated. My job is a good mix of clinical and public work. There are also plenty of opportunities to move around. ...So don't judge yourself and don't talk yourself out of an interview if it is for something that really interests you."	Luis M.
Interdisciplinary Studies, Alumni	Internship: International Marketing Intern, Johnson & Johnson "I was researching on Johnson & Johnson's website and typed in the word 'internship' and applied for a paid internship with a monthly salary and a bonus if you do well. The process wasn't complicated, but it took Johnson & Johnson four months to reply. I previously was employed by the government in Public Health, but I wanted to find a corporate job. Johnson & Johnson makes an impact, and I want to be a player for change. They have three main sectors: pharmaceutical, medical, and consumer goods. I am interested in all three, but my concentration is in pharmaceutical health care. It matches my degree and interests. Johnson and Johnson became even more attractive after I talked to current employees, and they told me that employees can move into other sectors which allows you to travel and learn the company culture. " Career Center Assistance: "I signed up for the Career Center's Alumni Advantage package and I had meetings with Career Counselors (15 and 45 minute appointments) and they reviewed my resume. Alumni Advantage pays off if you implement the services even by phone or email to talk to the counselors. The Career Center provides huge benefits, because they direct you to the job market. The staff is very professional, really on target, and knows how to use their resources."	Nancy C.
Interdisciplinary Studies Field, Senior	Internship: Center for Empowerment of Refugees and Immigrants "We get a lot of Southeast Asian refugees and many of them have post-traumatic stress syndrome. I work to ensure their mental health. Lately I’ve been facilitating Buddhist therapy sessions since a lot of the women there are very religious. I act as an interpreter."	Thida C.
Legal Studies, Senior	Internship: Emochila "Emochila is a marketing start-up company and the best part of the internship was that they actually let me implement campaign ideas."	Connie Z.
Mass Communications, Alumni	Internship: Marketing and Sales, The Southwestern Company "I interned with the Southwestern Company from my sophomore to senior year. It is a business management, communications, and leadership program open to all majors. The resume experience, communication skills, and networking/alumni connections I have been able to gain are highly marketable. All three summers I have relocated to the East Coast where I was trained to run my own business selling educational books to families. In doing so, I was exposed to new environments and demographics, showing employers a high level of independence and adaptability. Furthermore, I have earned enough money to pay for my own college tuition as well as invest a great deal for my future. More than anything, the challenge and personal growth I encountered through this internship have given me the life skills to be successful in anything I do. The Southwestern Company provided me with the opportunity to learn how to set goals as well as solidify the values of hard work, persistence, and the ability to problem solve. Ultimately, this summer internship program has given me the confidence to meet with employers knowing that my impressive resume will automatically set me apart from other applicants and give me a competitive edge in any company I apply for."	Kibos B.
Mass Communications, Alumni	Job: Account Coordinator, Burson-Marsteller "As an Account Coordinator at Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations agency, I assist with key components of media outreach and internal communications around product launches and product reviews for clients. But before working full-time for the company upon graduation, I was an intern for there during the summer before my senior year. My internship experience at Burson-Marsteller gave me exposure to multiple clients from different industries and immersed me in both high-level and day to day activities in the communications field. Interning also helped me narrow down where I wanted to go in my career. And after spending my last semester studying abroad in Paris, I came back to the states and had a full-time position with the company waiting for me!" Career Center Assistance: "I learned about the internship/job opportunity with Burson-Marsteller at a Career Fair held by the Career Center. I met with a recruiter and was called back for several rounds of interviews with Burson-Marsteller and other firms. During my job/internship search, I definitely took advantage of Career Center resources, especially the Job Search Guide. It's amazing how much the Career Center has to offer!"	Natalie T.
Mass Communications, Junior	Internship: Media Budgeting Intern, OMB "OMB is an ad agency. Through my internship, I learned a lot about how the ad agency worked and how they have a lot of departments."	Farah M.
Mass Communications & Psychology, Senior	Internship: Loomis Group "At Loomis Group, which is a marketing agency, I research current clients and search for new clients. I also compile PR materials for the pitches that executives make. I found the company through CalJobs and then searched on my own for intern openings by contacting their HR department through their company website and emailing them a resume."	Karen C.
MBA and Architecture, Alumni	Job: Principal, Korth Sunseri Hagey Architects "When I was a student at Cal, a Cal graduate needed help on his research. He was doing computer related design which was the newest technology at the time. He emailed my professor, and my professor wrote his name on the board and told us to contact him if we were interested. I wrote him back and worked for him at night. Because of that experience seven years ago, I started my own firm."	Jim S.
MCB, Alumni	Graduate School: Medical School, either UCSD or UCLA "I interviewed at 16 schools, was accepted to 9 medical schools, and will attend either UCSD or UCLA. I wasn't sure for my first 2 years at Cal what I wanted to do so I explored my interests. I have been a musician for twelve years so I performed in musical groups at Cal. I thought I was going into Clinical Psychology, but, in the back of my head, I thought perhaps medical school because I love working with people. I volunteered at the San Francisco General Hospital. It is important to shadow physicians and see the pros and cons of the field, because, in interviews, you need to show an understanding of your field. I volunteered at the Berkeley Clinic where I tested patients for STDs. I taught at the Student Learning Center for two years because I love teaching. This was somewhat of an impetus for going to medical school, because it affirmed that I enjoy working with people. During my year off, I volunteered and also worked in a lab and the hours were flexible, which helped when I left for medical school interviews. "	Tyson T.
MCB, Senior	Graduate School: Medical School, most likely UCLA "I have been admitted to four medical schools and will most likely be attending UCLA. I was invited by 21 schools to interview and applied to schools on both the East and West Coast. I job shadowed through the Pre Med Society, and then I asked for a job where I worked as a medical assistant. Last summer, I went to a program in Guadalajara, which I actually found online. The program was through a private medical school. I learned how to communicate in Spanish, take blood pressure, and work with doctors associated with the university. I also worked in two different labs studying Chlamydia as well as volunteered with the Suitcase Clinic. Location as well as a balanced life outside of school are important determinants for me for choosing a medical school. "	Angelica Z.
MCB, Senior	Graduate School: Medical School, UCSF "This fall I will be attending UCSF. I applied to 16 schools, was rejected by one, and I interviewed at six schools. For my first two years at Cal, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but between sophomore and junior year I became active on campus. I joined the public health program in China from Northwestern University, volunteered with the San Francisco Hepatitis B Collaborative, provided medical support for orphans in China, and was a part of Golden Key. I turned in my primary late, and I regret that I didn't have much time to decide. I ultimately chose my schools based on location. The UCs take a long time to reply, so apply early. Also, have a list of reach schools and when you go to interview see if you fit in and look at the schools anew."	Leslie S.
MCB, Senior	Graduate School: Med School Student, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine "I am very happy to be admitted to medical school at Johns Hopkins. I had heard about Johns Hopkins ever since I was a little kid! What I'm most excited about JHMS is that it has a long history of excellence in both medical research and patient care. I'm really looking forward to figuring out where in medicine I will best fit." Career Center Assistance: "I made use of Career Center resources like the online Personal Statement review and Ask-the-Counselor. I also met with Career Center counselors to discuss my AMCAS application and to do a mock interview. Printed reference materials such as info about med schools and the MCAT were also helpful."	Nance Y.
MCB & Nutritional Sciences, Senior	Graduate School: UCSF Dental School "The most exciting thing about entering grad school is that I will get to meet an exciting group of people who share my passion and I will finally get to learn the profession that I have worked so hard to enter. Prior to being accepted to graduate school, I volunteered at the Berkeley Free Dental Clinic for over 100 hours. For over a year, I was a research assistant in the Ackerly Lab, which is a plant ecology based lab. I found learning all the different lab techniques: mass spectrometry, ion exchange resin purification, various enzyme assay techniques, etc. very interesting. I was also a two-year active member of the Cal Pre Dental Society and am currently the Internal Affairs officer. I have been an MCB pre-dental peer advisor for over a year. I was a Black Lightning note taker for MCB102 and MCB130." Career Center Assistance: "I made an appointment with a counselor to do a mock dental interview, which I found really helpful. I also submitted my personal statement to the Career Center's Online Statement Review service. I used CalJobs to find my research position at Ackerly Lab."	Chris T.
Molecular Environmental Biology, Alumni	Job: Staff Planner, Impact Sciences "I asked Susan, a Career Center counselor, about how to get a job. She gave me many helpful resources and asked me what my skills and background interests were. She then recommended that I do an informational interview. The informational interview then turned into a real interview! I worked for the Department of Interior for a while until I realized I didn't want to work for the government and wanted to go into private consulting instead. I love how there are a lot of different aspects to the job, and I enjoy learning office culture. It is a small, intimate environment which is both nice and challenging. This is my first professional job, and I have learned how important it is to balance your life."	Sara M.
Operation Research Management Science, Alumni	Job: Financial Data Analyst, Morgan Stanley Capital International Barra "I had been an intern at Morgan Stanley for seven months and after my last semester at Cal started in a full-time position. I work as a member of the Data Content Services Team improving efficiency of the data flow process. I am able to apply a lot of ideas I have learned while studying in Berkeley. I interact with Product and Project Managers, VPs, Client Support, and Sales Teams around the world (London, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tokyo, Geneva, etc.), and I run my own independent projects." Career Center Assistance: "I found this internship through the Career Center, starting with it after my junior year and continued through the rest of school."	Mikal M.
PEIS, Freshman	Internship: OASIS, 2005-2006 "I interned with the same organization in high school. They also have a college internship program. It’s not paid but the experience is about learning, not about money."	Tiffany N.
PEIS, Sophomore	Internship: Berkeley Public Education Foundation "I got the internship through CalCorp. Our focus is to raise money for grants for teacher, run DEAR Day, and work with district officials and police."	Alyssa P.
Political Science, Alumni	Job: Data Entry Clerk, Morrison and Foerster "Earning my degree from Cal gave me an edge and allowed me to be employed by Morrison and Foerster, the single highest rated diversity employer for large law firms. I am in an extremely competent, open minded, and ethical atmosphere. While working, I have met numerous lawyers, statisticians, operations supervisors, etc. that have strongly encouraged me to use their knowledge and resources to make sure I choose the best career available and excel in that choice. My most recent benefit in working for MoFo has been that I, along with my colleagues, was featured in LTN (Law Technology News) Legal Journal. They did a piece on Top Tier Law Firm's Human Resources departments upgrading their hiring process using the latest software technology. I feel embarrassed that my vanity allows me to receive so much joy from this occasion, but I enjoyed it none the less, I can’t wait till my next Law Journal appearance!"	Cory D.
Political Science, Alumni	Job: Associate, L.E.K. Consulting "I found my job through searching online. The position was for the Tokyo office, and I applied by sending a resume and cover letter. I went through five phone interviews and a final round of interviews in Tokyo. Right now I'm working on developing business strategies for large medical devices and pharmaceutical companies. I'm looking forward to my second year in which I can do more of the high powered analysis that management consulting is known for." Career Center Assistance: "Although I found my current position on my own, the Career Center helped me land a few interviews with other companies. I must say, however, that it was the Career Center that really got me motivated and encouraged me to go out there and find a job for myself."	Motoki B.
Political Science, Alumni	Graduate School: Public Health/Social Work Masters Student, University of Michigan "Working full-time for two years after completing my undergraduate degree really helped me decide what field to study in graduate school. The work experience was invaluable for me because it taught me discipline, time-management, team work, and initiative. I feel much more confident going into graduate school now, thanks to these skills. I remember feeling insecure during my senior year at Berkeley after learning many of my friends were going straight into medical, law, or graduate school. My advice is not to compare yourself with others but to find your own path to a meaningful career." Career Center Assistance: "The Career Center's Job Search Guide provided me with concrete tips that I used every time I applied for a job. I also attended some of the workshops on job searching and applying to graduate school offered by the Career Center. For those of us who don't have parents or older siblings who can guide us through the job hunting or grad school application process, the Career Center is an important resource."	Tina S.
Political Science and Urban Studies, Alumni	Fellowship: Senate Fellow, Capital Fellows Program "The Capital Fellows Program allows recent graduates the opportunity to participate in substantive legislative policy and analysis in a fast paced, dynamic environment. If you are looking for an exciting job with responsibilities of statewide implications, this job is for you." Career Center Assistance: "I learned about the program through meeting representatives at one of the Career Center's career fairs the year prior to my acceptance. Go to the career fairs, meet people--it works!"	Aidan A.
Political Science, Senior	Internship: Taxpayers for Common Sense "Last summer I worked for Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-partisan budget watchdog group in Washington D.C. and that gave me some experience in the non-profit sector. I want to continue gaining experience in a field that I care about."	Archana D.
Political Science, Senior	Job: Legal Assistant, Google "On the prowl for a job I visited Google's website after hearing that some friends applied. Not knowing what I wanted to apply for, I was pleasantly surprised when I found that Google had a legal department (since I have an interest in law). I clicked the positions I was interested in, uploaded my resume and submitted the application. I got a phone call a few days later which went well, and then an on-site interview with six people for three hours, and a month later landed the job. " Career Center Assistance: "Google was the first company to call me back, which at the time was both good and bad. I had some experience interviewing for internships and scholarships, but interviewing for a full-time job was a different story. I scheduled an appointment with a counselor at the Career Center to help me prepare for the three hour interview. The counselor taught me how to prepare for the interview by reviewing the job description and knowing what I wanted to say without it being rehearsed. To everyone in the interview process -- be confident! "	Linda C.
Political Science, Sophomore	Internship: Campaign Intern, Alameda County Republican Party "I found my internship through a departmental posting. The best part has been the ability to really experience working on political campaigns from inside the organization. I've learned how to run campaigns and how much work goes into them that people never see. I hope to work on more campaigns in the future and gain greater exposure to the workings of our government."	Judge H.
Political Science & Asian Studies, Junior	Internship: Research Intern, Center for Nonproliferation Studies "I have just secured my dream internship. I will most likely work on the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California. As a research intern I will work with highly knowledgeable professionals. I look forward to learning more about security issues in East Asia and benefiting from the staff's knowledge and expertise. I am also eager to work for this organization because it promotes disarmament and responsible international policies regarding weapons of mass destruction. I am dedicated to these principles, and I intend to make East Asian studies a central aspect of my ongoing education and future career path. This is such an amazing opportunity for an undergraduate student preparing to enter the international security arena after graduating, and I am thrilled that I have been accepted." Career Center Assistance: "The Career Center was an excellent resource during the internship application process. I met with Career Center advisers multiple times to help perfect my resume. Each adviser was helpful, attentive, and effective in identifying and articulating the strengths and weaknesses of my resume. Allowing for plenty of preparation time before the internship deadlines, I was able to craft my resume to most accurately and succinctly highlight my skills and applicable experience. I could not have done so without the Career Center advisers' perspective and recommendations. Moreover, I used the Career Center Job Search Guide to great success. I utilized its tools and templates to compose cover letters for the two internships I really wanted, both of which were offered to me for the upcoming summer. The Career Center was instrumental in making this great outcome possible, such that the difficult part was choosing which internship to accept."	Manuel M.
Political Science & Economics, Junior	Internship: State Assembly Office, Cal-in-Sacramento Fellowship Program "This summer, I am interning in Assemblywoman Sharon Runner's office in Sacramento. This is part of the Cal-in-Sacramento program. The best part of my internship is that I get hands-on work in the legislature. By working at the Capital, I am getting a true inside look into politics. My daily conversations with the legislative aides in my office and my viewings of Assembly Committee meetings and floor sessions are only a few of the exciting things I get to do. I mainly do research on legislation and current bills, and create bill analyses. I'm just at the beginning of the internship, and I look forward to the rest of my time in Sacramento." Career Center Assistance: "I frequently was on the Career Center internship sites which eventually led me to the Cal-in-Sacramento Fellowship program brochure."	Lara P.
Political Science & Mass Communications, Alumni	Job: Investment Associate, Fisher Investments "I am looking forward to the opportunity to work in the field of Investment Management and learn about the global financial markets. With help from the Cal Career Center I landed an interview with Fisher Investments last spring, and eventually got the job which I will be starting in September. I never knew I would have such a great opportunity to work in the investment field without having a major in Business or Economics, but now I have a full time job in the field." Career Center Assistance: "The CalJobs site was integral to my job search, especially the on-campus interview opportunities provided by the site. I landed several on campus interviews using CalJobs, and eventually got the job with Fisher Investments as a result."	Jon S.
Psychology & Practice of Art, Senior	Internship: Oakland Children Hospital "At the hospital, I worked with autistic children and learned how to build relationships with them, how to treat them, and how to recognize signs of autism."	Frances Y.
Psychology & Social Welfare, Senior	Job: Human Resources Associate, Google "I will begin work at Google this summer as a Human Resources Associate. I found the job through CalJobs and also applied through the company website. HR is the perfect job because it combines both my skills and what I'm interested in. It's kind of scary to think that college life is over, but I'm really looking forward to my new job!" Career Center Assistance: "The Career Center was indispensable in my job search. I don't think I could've gotten the job without the resources there--the job search guide (for resume help), the info lab (to research about HR), and the counselors (for interviewing coaching) have been so helpful throughout the entire process. Plus, working there as a peer advisor taught me many of the essential skills I need for the jobs I applied to. More people should take advantage of the resources at the Career Center. It really makes a difference!"	Azusa H.
Public Health, Senior	Graduate School: Nursing, University of Pennsylvania "I am very excited about graduate school. I love nursing and public health and I believe that nursing is a unique approach to health care that focuses on primary care, health promotion, disease prevention and a holistic view of medicine. I think that my volunteer work helped me stand out in my applications. It showed that I had an active interest in the health field and pursued topics that I felt were important in nursing. It also gave me exposure to the nursing field." Career Center Assistance: "I attended workshops and nursing/health student panels put on by the Career Center. I have made various appointments with counselors to discuss nursing schools, accelerated programs, and getting my statement reviewed. I have also used the Career Center graduate school books and guides to research schools I wanted to apply to."	Irene L.
Public Health & Peace and Conflict Studies, Alumni	Job: Research Assistant, Samuels and Associates "I graduated from UC Berkeley in May 2006. In August, I found a position with Samuels and Associates in Oakland through the Career Center's CalJobs website. Samuels and Associates is a public health consulting firm that specializes in program development and policy evaluation in the area of childhood obesity prevention. Although I was not particularly interested in nutrition and physical activity, the Research Assistant position offered me valuable training and experience in data collection and analysis techniques, public policy research, and evaluation skills. As time passed, however, I not only gained valuable hard skills but gained exposure to a whole world of research and public advocacy work I honestly did not know existed. We all know the childhood obesity epidemic is a huge problem and at first glance seems impossible to fight. I now see how a small group of researchers are able to spark real change by doing 'on the ground' work and report-writing so desperately needed by the California legislature to help inform our state education and health care policies. I am thankful that UC Berkeley prepared me to enter 'the real world' and to start to make a positive impact on the health of children in our state." Career Center Assistance: "The Career Center helped me to find my full-time position at Samuels and Associates through their powerful resource: CalJobs. I searched CalJobs regularly and was impressed with the comprehensive and widespread job and internship listings I found there. Had it not been for this valuable website, I would not have found a plethora of opportunities to apply to nor the current position I am extremely satisfied with now."	Sarah C.
Rhetoric, Alumni	Job: Assistant Vice President, Major Gifts, United Way of the Bay Area "United Way of the Bay Area employees are passionate about their jobs. Working in this environment keeps me motivated to go to work each day and excel. I also get the opportunity to work in the community and see the differences I'm making."	Jenni D.
Social Welfare, Junior	Job: Video Editor, Envision Productions "Last year, through a mutual acquaintance’s referral, I become a video editor for a wedding DVD production company. They trained me how to edit videos and I learned how to work with clients."	Hoam L.
Statistics & Applied Mathematics, Alumni	Graduate School: Statistics PhD, Stanford "I will be in the Statistics PhD program at Stanford. I did various Stat-related volunteer work, internships, and research projects throughout my college years; and those experiences certainly helped in developing my interest and assisting in Grad School application. The faculty were also very helpful in the application process. I look forward to more rigorous training in Statistics and interesting research projects in grad school." Career Center Assistance: "One of the important experiences I discussed in my grad school applications was an actuarial internship I had held. The Career Center played an instrumental role in my internship search last year. It organized the Career Fair where I met reps from the company, and a friendly staff member at Career Center helped modify my resume - certainly a big help considering that I was far better trained in writing Math proofs than anything in plain English."	Jeremy S.
Statistics & Economics, Senior	Internship: Health and Welfare Actuarial Intern, Towers Perrin "I learned a lot about the health care industry through my internship. I helped Fortune 500 and Bay Area high tech companies choose the best health care coverage for their employees. They provided all the tools and teach all the skills I need - I walked in not knowing a thing, but I walked out with a valuable experience. And the people I worked with were amazing. They were all very flexible and understanding. They created a welcoming atmosphere that could get even the shyest person comfortable. And people were welcoming me to the firm from as far as Seattle and Texas." Career Center Assistance: "I attended Career Center workshops."	Ben S.

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