Student Success Stories

Kirstyne Lange, Class of 2012

Career Services has provided me with amazing resume and cover letter work and revisions that allowed me to obtain numerous internship considerations for the 2011 spring semester and summer break. With hands on, one-on-one work with the counselor, I was able to get the individualized attention to see what I needed to improve my resume to best reflect my skills and qualifications.

Additionally, I was able to attend the Career Fair extremely prepared and was offered 4 internships within 72 hours of the Fair's end. I am truly appreciative of having Career Services available on campus because I was able to get assistance in developing my professional presentation for potential jobs and internships.

Eva Reyes, Class of 2012

As a SAW student, I was introduced to the Career Center staff during the summer, before my freshwoman year began. I thought it was unbelievable, they told me and the rest of the SAW girls that they were always available to help us find jobs, internships, and help us with our resume, cover letters, and even how to prepare for an interview. I thought it was amazing, yet I did not believe that they could really offer so much help. As a fresh woman in my fall semester, Kate, from Career Services began to get help me to update my resume and fix the tons of mistakes it had. It was incredible how she took time to look at every detail and even go into my Nursing Leadership class to help me and many other Pre-Nursing girls on how to have a “nurse-like” resume.

During my spring semester, I knew that I wanted to be productive during my summer; therefore I scheduled an appointment with Pooja Sharma, who guided me through everything I had to know about an internship. She suggested internships that had to do with my nursing interests and guided me through the internship application process. Pooja took the time to also look over my resume until it was almost “perfect” looking. We also had a practice interview which prepared me for the interviews I had.

Thanks to all the help I received from the Career Center, I found the perfect internship! I will be interning at Street Level Health Project this summer.

Kiya Komaiko, Class of 2011

One of the most valuable experiences I've had as an undergraduate is interning in the psychology department at Harvard University. I had applied for several other internships and been rejected from all of them because my research interests weren't compatible. I decided to apply for Harvard regardless of my experience with rejection, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was accepted primarily because my research interests were similar. From this internship I gained invaluable contacts, insight into life as a graduate student, and I learned valuable skills as a researcher. I found that if you pursue your interests honestly then your skills and enthusiasm will be obvious to those who have similar ideas and goals. Pursue your interests and opportunities will follow.

Mejin Leechor, Master's of Public Policy, Class of 2011

Last semester, I undertook a legislative internship at State Senator Loni Hancock's District Office in Oakland. My responsibilities included day-to-day office administration as well as independent research projects on local issues. I also assisted constituents in working with state agencies. I owe many thanks to the terrific staff in the Career Center, who guided me in preparing my internship application and provided plenty of encouragement along the way!

Mariah Olivera, Class of 2012

I have an internship at Congresswoman Barbara Lee's District Office in downtown Oakland. As an intern, I work closely with the Congresswoman's congressional aides. I work mostly on immigration casework and ocassionally on special projects, based on my interests. I do a lot of writing and I talk with many constituents on a daily basis. I began as a summer intern right after my freshwoman year at Mills, and I have continued as an intern during the fall semester of my sophomore year. I got this position by working with Pooja Sharma on my resume and cover letter. After I was called for an interview, Pooja conducted a mock interview with me to help me prepare and also helped me to fine tune my elevator speech. Through this internship, I have learned about all of the behind-the-scenes work of a congressional office and I have gained more insight into our federal government and politics. Some of the highlights of my internship so far have been participating in special events with the Congresswoman, improving my writing skills, and constantly learning from all of the district office staff members. This internship has also allowed me to learn a lot about myself, what I am interested in, what I am good at, and what career path I would like to take. I look forward to having more meaningful internship and work experiences and I thank Pooja, Neepa, and everyone else in the Career Center for helping me to get these opportunities.

Daisy Gonzales, Class of 2007

As a Mills student, I had the opportunity to seek internship opportunities that enhanced what I was learning in the classroom. As a graduate of Mills, I pursued a fellowship that would serve as a learning experience and professional networking opportunity.

As a current California State Assembly fellow, I have been given the unique opportunity to learn about California's legislative process while working as a professional staff member. This fellowship allows you to learn by practicing and gives you access to a diverse set of leaders and experts-an experience you can not receive in the classroom.

Shruti Chandhok, Class of 2008

The Career Center is an exceptional place to find support and encouragement. Since my freshwomen year I have been in and out of the resource room, trying to pick a major, create a resume, reword cover letters, and to win my most recent battle with the personal statement! I have had the opportunity to work with Career Services since my sophomore year and have personally witnessed the large amount of information on internships, scholarships etc. that is housed here. This year in particular the Career Center staff (Kate, Pooja and Jean) saw me everyday to help me with interviews and personal statements to get into my first choice of law school. All the visits and panic really did pay off as I was accepted into Cambridge law school this Spring. I would highly encourage anyone with the slightest curiosity or doubt about any of this material to visit the Career Center before and even after graduation!