Meet recent grad, Paola Gallegos! This pretty lady graduated in the fall of 2016! Get to know Paola better and her time on the Hilltop in the article below!
Why did you choose St. Ed’s?
Campus location and the many scholarship awards available to students.
When did you graduate?
Fall 2016
When is your birthday?
October 5, 1995
What was your major?
Global Studies with a minor in Economics
Did you study abroad, if so where?
Yes! I studied abroad in the fall of 2015 in Santiago, Chile.
What is your favorite memory about study abroad?
I have so many wonderful memories, but a key memory was traveling to Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia (Southern part of Chile). When I first got there, my friend Ottilie from London and I just stared at the untouched beauty of Patagonia and tears filled our eyes thinking of how amazing the world we live in is.
Do you plan to go to grad school, if so when/where/what would you like to get your masters in?
Yes, I would love to go to school on the North East Coast to pursue a Master’s degree in Economic Development Policy.
Where are you working now?
I recently accepted a position for the City of El Paso.
What is your position?
Economic Development Specialist with the Economic Development Department.
Favorite memory on the Hilltop?
Waking up at 3:00 am after a boat party and eating a tres leches cake in the middle of the kitchen with three of my best girlfriends.
How has SEU prepared you for the real world?
SEU taught me empathy and compassion, something that has helped me daily in the real world. Leaving St. Ed’s I quickly realized how many people, unfortunately, lack both of these traits.
What organizations were you involved in on campus?
Student Government, the Social Justice Living Learning Community, Campus Ministry and Toppers Abroad.
Did you have an internship/internships while you were in school, if so where/what did you do?
Yes, I had 4 internships.
Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services – I did intakes, which is basically an interview, of over 500 unaccompanied minors in El Paso, TX, during the summer of 2014.
Refugee Services of Texas – Incredibly enough, I worked on a pilot program called CAM-AOR (Central American Minor Affidavit of Relationship) which allowed minors currently in Central America who had relatives legally in the U.S. to apply for visas to come to the U.S.
City of El Paso – Summer 2016 I worked for the Economic Development Department. It was an incredible internship that allowed me to get a behind the scenes look at how the City I grew up in works.
New College, St. Edward’s University – I worked at New College for five out of my seven semesters at St. Ed’s. New College allowed me to work closely with faculty, staff, and adjuncts allowing me to learn more about academia.
What’s the most exciting thing about post grad?
Being on a schedule. You can actually wake up and plan activities since you no longer have to study for a million hours a week.
What’s the scariest thing about post grad?
Adulting.
Do you have any advice for current seniors?
Enjoy every second while you can, undergrad and postgrad are two different worlds.
Any advice for current freshmen?
Do everything and anything that you set your mind to. Seriously, do not hold back. College is the one place where you can truly find out who you are, so do not miss the opportunity to study abroad, join a new org, or do something out of your comfort zone.
If you could change something about your college experience what would you change?
I would have taken photography classes.
What’s your favorite thing about St. Ed’s?
The diversity
What’s your favorite thing about Austin?
The state and local parks.
What’s your favorite Austin coffee shop?
I’m actually not a coffee drinker, but I spent a majority of my undergrad days and nights at Strangebrew drinking Mate Tea.
What’s your favorite Austin bar?
Bar Ilegal
What’s your favorite Austin dish?
Torchy’s Queso with Guac
What’s your favorite Austin concert venue?
Zilker Park
Paola is an accomplished and driven grad that we so look up to, give ’em hill out there Paola!