Career Services Spotlight – Josephina Ragon, MSEd ’18, Office of Student Life and Office of New Student Programs and Leadership Development, Baruch College
Beginning my professional career as an educator in the South Bronx and Chicago’s turnaround schools, I developed a strong passion for closing the achievement gap. When I decided to transition and work with post-secondary students, Baruch College and CUNY’s mission to provide quality, accessible education greatly influenced my decision. It is rewarding to attend an institution whose values align with my own.
Immediately after getting accepted into the HEA Program, I proactively sought opportunities to work with students. Through Career Services, I learned about the graduate assistant positions in the Office of Student Life and Office of New Student Programs and Leadership Development at Baruch. I pursued and landed both of them. These assistantships allowed me integrate what I was learning in the classroom, such as student development, finances in higher education, quantitative and qualitative research, and administrative services. They also gave me direct experience working with students, including advising clubs and organizations on campus-wide event planning, such as Spring Fling and Women’s Heritage Month, leading workshops, such as officer training, creating leadership development material, and coordinating off-campus service learning and spring break trips to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, PA. Although my assistantships have ended, I am eager to continue this work in student life and leadership development, as well as in opportunity programs.
If I can give one piece of advice to those searching for internships, I would say not to wait for an opportunity to come knocking at your door. Do your research, reach out to administrators early on, ask questions, and go get it!