Lindsay Loeber
If I could go back in time and tell my 18 year old self I would be working in higher education after graduation, I would have laughed! I started off as a Biology major as a freshman at SDSU with the intention to eventually go to either nursing or PA school. My sophomore year, I spoke with a friend in my sorority who was an IS3D student. The following week, I put in the request to change my major to Interdisciplinary Studies, with my three emphases being Biology, Psychology, and Kinesiology. What I loved so much about this program is that unlike other SDSU programs, I really had the freedom to create my own major. I got to choose all my own classes and create my own academic plan, which was really unique. This was so beneficial to me because back then, it felt like I changed my mind every week about what I wanted my career to look like, and this major gave me the chance to explore different subjects and not limit myself to studying just one thing. As a student, I had two jobs on campus as a Lead Student Admissions Representative in the Prospective Student Center and an SDSU Ambassador. My whole life, I had always thought I wanted to go into the medical field. But once I started working in admissions, I really fell in love with higher education and decided I wanted to try to pursue that as a career. I had a lot of conversations with my advisors and mentors at the time about my concerns with my major not "matching up" to what jobs I wanted to apply for. However, over time I learned that IS3D was actually a perfect major, because it gave me experience in so many different things. I got to take classes in anatomy, evolution, exercise science, developmental psychology, PTSD, drugs and behavior, sociology, communication, and more. I learned so many different skills and became well versed on many topics, which gave me such a unique background that I think really helped me stand out as a job applicant. Right after college, I got a job as an Administrative Support Coordinator in Enrollment Services at SDSU, where I worked for around a year. Then, I had the exciting opportunity to apply for an open position as an Admissions Counselor in the Prospective Student Center, which is where I worked as a student. I was lucky to be selected for the position, where I now work and serve as a Transfer Admissions Counselor to our local San Diego community college schools! I love my job and I am so thankful for my educational journey because it allowed me to get to where I am today!
"A day in the Life"
A day in the life for me right now consists of lots and lots of communication with others. Since we are in the thick of recruitment time, I start off my day by looking at my schedule. Depending on the day, I may have anywhere from one to three recruitment visits on top of my regular office duties. I usually start off by answering the incoming calls to the admissions office for a few hours in the morning. Then, I'll pack up my bag and prepare for a college fair, where I spend three hours tabling and answering questions from hundreds of prospective students who are interested in applying to SDSU. After my recruitment events are over, I'll drive back to campus to finish out my day in the office by helping out on our admissions Virtual Desk and answering my personal emails. I also serve as the Supervisor for our 17 student assistants, so I keep on top of their schedules and questions while in the office. I spend a lot of time answering admissions questions, assisting with the Cal State Application, going over SDSU policies, and helping out with any other inquiries that we get here. After I'm off, I go home and work on graduate school applications, cook dinner, spend time with family and friends if I can, and then prepare to do it all over again! My job is so amazing because every day is different. I get to meet and talk to so many different people every week and help them with the college admissions process, which I know can be a very difficult and stressful time.
"What problems are you addressing?"
I like to think that I am addressing a multitude of problems at my job. Since I am a Transfer Counselor, I am assisting students through a process that is notoriously difficult. According to a 2021 study, just 2.5% of students transfer in two years or less and 23% of students transfer in four years or less. Transfer students must overcome a variety of barriers, such as regional, racial, and financial disparities, lack of support from community college and/or university staff, unclear requirements, misadvising, and family obligations, to name a few. To try to help solve these problems, I do a variety of touch points throughout the application cycle at our San Diego community colleges that include college fairs, application workshops, drop in hours, admissions presentation, department meetings, and more. I also work with non-local students one on one to try to make the transfer process seem doable and attainable. I spend time with students in person, over the phone, over Zoom, and over email to address any concerns that might come up. I help connect them with other resources at SDSU such as EOP, Commuter Life, and Financial Aid. I help get them involved with their own transfer centers on their campuses to ensure they are getting as much support as possible. I try to be an advocate for them at the university level and do my best to be committed to student success at all times. I will continue to learn and grow every year and hope that I can be someone who makes this daunting process a little less overwhelming for our transfer students.
