Wave-Maker Spotlight: Enrique Romero
Over the next few months, we will be posting profiles on the amazing alumni that have come out of the Making Waves College and Alumni Program. These profiles are meant to both highlight our inspiring alumni and support other young professionals in understanding their own career path. If you have questions for us or our alumni, please post them below.
Today, the spotlight is on a conversation that we had with Enrique Romero - a 9th Waver, graduate of Pitzer College, and Fulbright Fellow.
Describe your career path. What experiences provided insight along the way? Was your career path straight and planned, did you stumble into it, or was it somewhere in between?
When I started college, I was pursuing a science major while participating in extracurricular activities related to education and teaching. I eventually switched majors and pursued Sociology. This allowed me to enroll in courses focused on education and improve my approach in the educational activities I participated in. Throughout college, I was a Corps Member for Jumpstart, a Spanish Conversation Leader for the Spanish Department, and an English Teaching Assistant during both of my study abroad experiences in Costa Rica and Italy. These experiences, coupled with my academic background, led me to apply for a Fulbright in Mexico as an English Teaching Assistant.
What advice do you give to those interested in your field and type of work? Are there any experiences and skills that you recommend them working on while in college?
For those interested in applying for a Fulbright, I would encourage you to gain as much classroom experience as possible. For those that apply and don't have these types of experiences, I encourage you to analyze how your other experiences show the necessary leadership and skills it takes to be an English Teaching Assistant.
What general advice do you have for college students still trying to understand their path?
Push yourself to try new things that get you out of your comfort zone - these were the times I learned most about myself while also learning about what I want and don't want in future employment opportunities and career goals.
If you could give a piece of advice to your college self, what would it be?
Go to office hours - this is where you can build relationships with professors which can benefit your future should you need recommendations for post-graduate programs or jobs.
Looking for more inspiration from our Wave-Makers - check these Wave-Maker Spotlights out!
