Guiding Futures: Lisa’s 25-Year Journey in Career Services at Hostos Community College.

molloycommunicatio
May 23
5 min read

Updated: May 25

By: Kaitlyn Martinez

The building where Lisa has worked for 25 years.

Lisa, a dedicated career advisor, recently retired after 25 impactful years at Hostos Community College. Her journey in higher education began with a Bachelor of Science from Baruch College, followed by a Master’s in Literature from St. John’s University. With her extensive experience, Lisa has guided thousands of students toward academic success and meaningful careers.

I. Finding Her Calling

Lisa's passion for education and guidance started early. “I always knew I wanted to help students find their voice and purpose,” she shared. After earning her degrees, she worked in various academic support roles before landing her position at Hostos. “The moment I walked onto the campus, I knew this was where I belonged.”

She began her journey with simple advising roles, but quickly found she had a knack for connecting with students and understanding their needs. “It wasn’t just about academics,” she explained. “Students came to me with life questions, and I realized career advising was about the whole person.”

Even in the early years, Lisa took it upon herself to innovate within her department. She created tailored workshop series for first-generation students, many of whom faced extra challenges. “Helping them gain confidence in their career path was especially rewarding,” she said.

Lisa also remembered how difficult it was to initially earn students' trust. "Many came from backgrounds where professional guidance wasn’t something they were used to," she noted. "I had to earn their confidence and show them that we were partners in their success."

II. A Career Built on Compassion and Clarity

Throughout her 25 years, Lisa became a pillar of the Hostos community. She facilitated hundreds of workshops on resume building, job searching, and interview preparation. Her approach was personal. “Every student has a different path, and it’s our job to help them navigate it,” she said.

One of her most cherished memories includes launching a mentorship program that connected alumni with graduating students. “Seeing those connections flourish, some even turning into job offers, was incredibly rewarding,” Lisa reflected.

Lisa also worked closely with faculty and employers to align student goals with real-world opportunities. “It was never just about the job. It was about what kind of life students wanted to lead, and how we could support that.”

She recalled helping one student who had been turned away from multiple jobs due to a lack of experience. “We found her a summer internship with a nonprofit. By fall, she had a full-time offer. That’s the kind of transformation that keeps you going.”

Her support was not limited to career counseling. Lisa often provided emotional support, especially to first-generation college students. “They needed someone to believe in them. I made sure they knew they weren’t alone.”

She also played a critical role in helping develop the college’s job portal and digital resume builder. Lisa advocated for easy-to-use tools so students could access resources even outside of traditional advising hours. “I wanted them to be empowered, not overwhelmed.”

Lisa was also instrumental in collaborating with community organizations to host career expos on campus. These events gave students exposure to opportunities they might not have known existed. “Those were some of my favorite days,” she said. “The energy was incredible.”

III. Advice for the Next Generation

Lisa’s advice for today’s students? “Start early. Visit career services in your first year. Build your resume as you build your education.” She also emphasizes the importance of internships and real-world experience. “Employers want to see initiative. Even volunteering can be a game changer.”

Lisa stressed the need for strong communication skills: “Your GPA matters, but so does your ability to network, write a great email, and present yourself.”

She encourages students to stay curious. “Ask questions, explore fields you hadn’t considered. Sometimes the job you end up loving isn’t the one you first imagined.”

She also advised students to attend career fairs and information sessions even if they weren’t actively job-hunting. “Building relationships early gives you a huge advantage when you’re ready to apply.”

When asked what she would tell her younger self, Lisa smiled. “Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your ideas matter, and you can lead from wherever you are.”

Lisa emphasized that career planning should be a shared effort between students, advisors, and faculty. “It’s about teamwork. The more collaboration, the stronger the outcomes.”

IV. Looking Back and Forward

When asked about her proudest accomplishment, Lisa didn’t hesitate. “It’s not one event, it’s every student who came back and said, ‘I got the job because of your help.’”

Now retired, Lisa plans to write, travel, and possibly volunteer at community colleges as a guest mentor. “I may be stepping away from full-time work, but I’ll always be passionate about student success.”

She also hopes to publish a book of advice and stories from her years in career services. “There’s so much wisdom in these hallways. I want to pass it on.”

Celebrating Lisa’s retirement after 25 years of service.

Her colleagues at Hostos describe her as a “guiding light,” someone who always made time for students and staff alike. “She never turned anyone away. Whether you needed career advice or just a bit of encouragement, Lisa was there,” said a fellow advisor.

Lisa’s former supervisor added, “She had the rare ability to make every student feel like the most important person in the room. That’s what made her so beloved.”

Her legacy is visible in the success of her students, many of whom now work in industries ranging from healthcare to media, tech education. “They’re out there making a difference. That’s what it’s all about.”

Lisa now resides full-time in New York, where she continues to contribute to the field by hosting virtual seminars on career development. “It’s a new chapter, but the mission remains the same: support and empower,” she affirmed.

As she embarks on her next chapter, Lisa remains grateful for her years at Hostos. “It wasn’t just a job, it was a community. I learned as much from the students as they did from me.”

She also hopes to mentor young professionals who are entering the field of career advising. “There’s a lot of pressure, but also a lot of joy in this work. I want to help others find that balance.”

V. Resources

Tags:

Lisa, Hostos Community College, Career Advisor, Higher Education, Student Support, Baruch College, St. John’s University

Images:

Office at Hostos Community College
Resume workshop in progress
Lisa advising a student
Retirement celebration event
Hostos campus exterior