My name is Jessica Ramirez and I am originally from Barranquilla, Colombia. After graduating from high school, I moved to the United States to start my college education. My bachelor’s degree is in Mass Communications and Broadcasting from Georgia College & State University. During my college years, I was very involved in several organizations and on-campus jobs, which lead me to an interest in a career in student affairs. Later, I enrolled in the master’s program of Professional Counseling and College Student Affairs at University of West Georgia. I worked for a year as a Resident Director in a small private college in NC. Due to my immigration status as an international student, my contract was not renewed for a second year. Work visas are usually given primarily to those in the STEM field and to professors and researchers in Higher Education, but very unlikely to be given to administrators in universities. Because of this, I decided to go back to Colombia.
After living in the south of the United States for 8 years, it was very difficult to return to my native country which has a reputation of being unsafe and with no economic prosperity. However, upon arriving I was very blessed to have had several job options and opportunities within my field. Currently, I work at the British International School in Barranquilla, Colombia as the school librarian. Specifically I am in the academic part of the library working with middle school, high school, and pre-school students. I am helping students in the area of writing, research, and citations. I was not planning to be a librarian, but because of my level of education, being bilingual, and experience with APA writing style I landed where I am today.
Every job that I had helped me with my skills when dealing with the younger generation. I still have much to learn especially when working with high school students. Specifically being an RA in college helped me become a better leader, handle crisis situations, work collaboratively within a team, and with listening and counseling skills. For all those interested in a career in student affairs, remain open minded during job selection, your job might not be in a university setting, but you will still be using all the knowledge and skills learned before. I am thankful with every supervisor I had because they challenged me to become a better person. Remain calm and positive during times of change, and be confident in every job you have.
After living in the south of the United States for 8 years, it was very difficult to return to my native country which has a reputation of being unsafe and with no economic prosperity. However, upon arriving I was very blessed to have had several job options and opportunities within my field. Currently, I work at the British International School in Barranquilla, Colombia as the school librarian. Specifically I am in the academic part of the library working with middle school, high school, and pre-school students. I am helping students in the area of writing, research, and citations. I was not planning to be a librarian, but because of my level of education, being bilingual, and experience with APA writing style I landed where I am today.
Every job that I had helped me with my skills when dealing with the younger generation. I still have much to learn especially when working with high school students. Specifically being an RA in college helped me become a better leader, handle crisis situations, work collaboratively within a team, and with listening and counseling skills. For all those interested in a career in student affairs, remain open minded during job selection, your job might not be in a university setting, but you will still be using all the knowledge and skills learned before. I am thankful with every supervisor I had because they challenged me to become a better person. Remain calm and positive during times of change, and be confident in every job you have.
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