“For me, the emotional part that feels really fulfilling about my job is that I’m a first-generation U.S. college student. My mom went to college in Brazil, but really didn’t know how to navigate the U.S. system when my time came along, so I felt very alone at times. I felt behind (in school and socially) and didn’t understand how much the university could have helped me as a student, especially because I was a commuter student.

I felt like I wasn’t fully immersed in the college experience. And, to a certain degree, felt like I missed out on that.

So in a way, I’m happy that I can almost share this experience with students. I was struggling so much as a student, and I did not realize that we had a counseling center, a Center for Disability and Access or even a place for students to work out. I was so painfully shy that I had no idea there were student organizations for more introverted folks.

I just assumed the extroverted college experience was not meant for me; I’m just going to go to class and go home. Now that I’m working in Student Affairs, I see there really are resources and opportunities for all types of students. So, I really want to help others have that more fulfilling experience.

That’s the joy that I get from this job when I have students who work for me or when I come across any student; if I hear even a slight inkling of any kind of support they would need or a struggle they have, I’m so happy to share the resources we have and how we can help them.

I want to help them understand there is a reason why these resources are here on campus. At times, when I was at the U, I kind of felt like going to school was really transactional. I’m here to take my class, you’re here to take my tuition, and then I get a degree and that’s it. I didn’t fully understand how important it is to get that co-curricular experience by getting involved.

Back then, I didn’t understand how there were so many people who were so dedicated to their centers and so dedicated to supporting students, and it really does bring me joy to help connect students because those resources are here for a reason. Sometimes students just don’t understand that.”

— Claudia Trochez, internal marketing and communications manager, student affairs strategic initiatives, Student Affairs