First-generation alumna finds ideal fit in academic counseling
Brianna Gonzalez’s path toward a career as an academic counselor began after a peer counselor realized her passion in working with students.
By Phillip Jordan
June 7, 2023
June 7, 2023
Brianna Gonzalez ’23 knew she was on the right career path during her third unsupervised session as an academic peer advisor in UCI’s School of Education Student Affairs Office.
“There were a few students who came into the office together, and I recognized the looks on their faces,” Gonzalez recalled. “They looked a little lost, a little unsure. They told me they were afraid of a certain class they’d have to take.” She recognized the look because she’d once worn it herself. As a first-year, first-generation college student, Gonzalez had felt a little lost as well. And too intimidated by academic offices to connect with the staff who she knew could help her. But during her second year, a peer academic advisor in the School of Social Sciences connected with Gonzalez, who was then majoring in sociology. “That helped so much,” she said. “And in talking with my peer, she guided me toward adding a degree in Education Sciences, because she realized that I was passionate about working with students.” |
And so began Gonzalez’s new path toward a career as an academic counselor, which really took flight when she became a peer academic advisor herself.
“The Student Affairs staff put so much trust in me and the other peer academic advisors,” Gonzalez said. “They helped us become advisors but they also helped us learn life and professional skills that are so important to first-generation college students like me.”
She has paid that trust forward during her final two years at UCI.
“I enjoy advising because I enjoy meeting students and learning what they’re interested in,” Gonzalez said. “That’s when I can share what I’ve done to pursue my interests as an example, and I can share resources with them to meet their goals. It feels so good to help provide a path for others and see them get more confidence.”
That’s exactly what happened with the students who had come into her office looking lost and overwhelmed. Gonzalez sensed their hesitancy so she shared her own experiences with the students first, including the worries she had once had. Then she steered the conversation to their passions.
Ever since, those students have continued visiting Gonzalez’s office to ask more questions and share updates about their plans. Now, with smiles on their faces.
“Brianna’s empathy and compassion stand out,” said Jaycee Chu, School of Education director of student affairs. “Whenever she’s working with a student, you can tell that Brianna puts in great effort to understand where the student is coming from and how she can help them. She takes her peer academic advisor position seriously and makes herself available to our entire education community. Brianna’s desire to help others drives her.”
Gonzalez has bolstered her resume with considerable research experience, including two research labs in the School of Education. She served as a researcher in the HABLA (Human Abilities in Bilingual Language Acquisition) Lab, which focuses on understanding how bilingual individuals organize and access their two language systems. She also worked in the Baby Books 2 Lab run by Professor Stephanie Reich, Ph.D., studying the effectiveness of educational baby books to improve both parenting skills and child outcomes.
This year, Gonzalez spearheaded the School of Education’s annual Research Fair to connect students with potential research labs and research assistant positions. She’s taken her own research on the road, too. This spring, she was selected to present her sociology thesis at the American Educational Research Association’s annual meeting in Chicago.
“It’s clear to me that Brianna is going to accomplish anything she sets out to do, and will be a strong leader within her community,” Chu said. “But we will miss her! Whenever I’ve needed someone to talk to students about research experience in a lab, Brianna has been my go-to person. Her experience and perspective have been extremely valuable to our office and to her peers.”
Graduating this spring, Gonzalez is intent on making sure she’s not the last in her family to access a college degree. She already talks to her little cousins all the time about school. And she just might have a new Anteater recruit.
“One of my elementary-aged cousins had a College Day at her school this spring, and she asked me for a UCI sweatshirt,” Gonzalez said with a smile. “That’s a win!”
“The Student Affairs staff put so much trust in me and the other peer academic advisors,” Gonzalez said. “They helped us become advisors but they also helped us learn life and professional skills that are so important to first-generation college students like me.”
She has paid that trust forward during her final two years at UCI.
“I enjoy advising because I enjoy meeting students and learning what they’re interested in,” Gonzalez said. “That’s when I can share what I’ve done to pursue my interests as an example, and I can share resources with them to meet their goals. It feels so good to help provide a path for others and see them get more confidence.”
That’s exactly what happened with the students who had come into her office looking lost and overwhelmed. Gonzalez sensed their hesitancy so she shared her own experiences with the students first, including the worries she had once had. Then she steered the conversation to their passions.
Ever since, those students have continued visiting Gonzalez’s office to ask more questions and share updates about their plans. Now, with smiles on their faces.
“Brianna’s empathy and compassion stand out,” said Jaycee Chu, School of Education director of student affairs. “Whenever she’s working with a student, you can tell that Brianna puts in great effort to understand where the student is coming from and how she can help them. She takes her peer academic advisor position seriously and makes herself available to our entire education community. Brianna’s desire to help others drives her.”
Gonzalez has bolstered her resume with considerable research experience, including two research labs in the School of Education. She served as a researcher in the HABLA (Human Abilities in Bilingual Language Acquisition) Lab, which focuses on understanding how bilingual individuals organize and access their two language systems. She also worked in the Baby Books 2 Lab run by Professor Stephanie Reich, Ph.D., studying the effectiveness of educational baby books to improve both parenting skills and child outcomes.
This year, Gonzalez spearheaded the School of Education’s annual Research Fair to connect students with potential research labs and research assistant positions. She’s taken her own research on the road, too. This spring, she was selected to present her sociology thesis at the American Educational Research Association’s annual meeting in Chicago.
“It’s clear to me that Brianna is going to accomplish anything she sets out to do, and will be a strong leader within her community,” Chu said. “But we will miss her! Whenever I’ve needed someone to talk to students about research experience in a lab, Brianna has been my go-to person. Her experience and perspective have been extremely valuable to our office and to her peers.”
Graduating this spring, Gonzalez is intent on making sure she’s not the last in her family to access a college degree. She already talks to her little cousins all the time about school. And she just might have a new Anteater recruit.
“One of my elementary-aged cousins had a College Day at her school this spring, and she asked me for a UCI sweatshirt,” Gonzalez said with a smile. “That’s a win!”