Department of Applied Environmental Science
Guiding Students to Achievement: The Work of an AES Advisor
Carmen Ramirez joined the academic advising team in 2023 and serves as the advisor for both Environmental Studies and Environmental Science, Technology, & Policy undergraduate degree programs. She supports students by helping them navigate academic processes, ensuring students are on track to graduate, and working with faculty/department chairs to ensure that student needs are being met. A fun fact is that she is an alumna of the Kinesiology program!
We reached out to Carmen to learn more about her career journey and what led her to CSUMB. Check out her interview below!
What led you to CSUMB?
I first started working at CSUMB with the College Assistant Migrant Program (CAMP) in 2019, but left in 2022 due to graduate school. The semester before graduating from my master's program, one of my peers in the program (who is also a current academic advisor here at CSUMB) suggested that I apply for the job as an Academic Advisor. At the time, I was a substitute teacher and knew that once I graduated, I was going to need to look for a full-time job. In the end, I applied and got the job, thankfully!
What is your job in Academic Advising and AES, and what are some of the things you do in a typical workday/workweek?
As an academic advisor, there are many things we do to support student success both within their academic and personal lives. One of the more important things we do is guide students through the completion of their degree. On a regular day, I respond to student emails in regards to courses or other concerns, collaborate with faculty and department chairs in regards to student needs, and the majority of the day consists of meeting one-on-one with students to create learning plans, discuss graduation requirements, and more.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The best part of my job is getting to work with students one-on-one throughout their entire time at CSUMB. From meeting students at orientation to helping them register for classes each semester to then watching them graduate is very rewarding. I enjoy the fact that students primarily have one academic advisor during their time at CSUMB because it helps build trust and rapport with the students, which is crucial to ensure graduation.
What is your educational/professional background?
My educational background is one that is far from the “traditional” route, but one that got me to where I am today. After graduating high school, I attended my local community college, Hartnell College. I then transferred to Sacramento State, where I completed a year of studies but realized I wanted to be closer to my family. I then transferred to San José State University for a semester, but quickly came to the realization that a 1.5-hour commute was not fun or ideal. I ultimately decided to apply to CSUMB, which was only a 25-minute commute, and I ultimately completed my BS in Kinesiology in 2018. After working with CAMP, my passion for working with students in education grew, and so I decided to apply for school once again and completed my MA in Counseling and Guidance from San José State University in 2023.
What hobbies do you like to participate in during your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy doing any and all things with my family, especially with the new addition of our now 7-month-old daughter! She loves the outdoors, so we enjoy going on walks, hiking, and in the summer, we very much enjoy going to the lake and camping!
Thank you for all that you do for our students, Carmen!!