schedule an appointment
Share/Download Handshake Appointment Flyer PDF.
For questions or inquiries reguarding the Career Peer Ambassador Program please contact the Career Center at [email protected]
about the program
The Career Peer Ambassador Program (CAP) is a new career readiness peer-to-peer learning community at the San Diego Mesa College Career Center. The program is a pilot funded by the Strong Workforce Program. CAP began in the Spring of 2018 to support our short-term campus projects while the region develops a long-term plan to grow and improve outcomes for Career Education programs in the California Community Colleges.
What is a Career Peer Ambassador?
Career Peer Ambassadors are campus student leaders who are trained to facilitate the resources available through the San Diego Mesa College Career Center department. Students selected to serve as Career Peer Ambassadors participate in intensive summer training sessions with our Career Counselors, Internship Coordinator, and Career Center staff to develop transferable work-related skills, and participate in professional development trainings as needed. They promote and deliver informational presentations about career services within Mesa College classrooms, around the college campus, and at career services events. They also provide walk-in individual and group peer-to-peer career coaching sessions.
Mission statement
The Career Peer Ambassador Program is a team of dedicated, knowledgeable, and friendly students who represent the San Diego Mesa College Career Center. They guide their peers through their career journeys by providing peer-to-peer coaching sessions on job searching, résumé writing, cover letter writing, and interview preparation, as well as other career readiness resources.
Meet our career Peer ambassadors
Lead CAREER AMBASSADOR JOCELYN DORANTES '22,
PRONOUNS: SHE/HER/HERS
CONTACT: [email protected]
Jocelyn graduated from San Diego Mesa College with an Associates Degree for Transfer in Psychology in the Spring of 2022. Now Jocelyn is currently a Junior attending San Diego State University and is planning to graduate by Fall 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Jocelyn hopes to pursue a career in Human Resources to apply her Psychology background to a business environment. She is now thrilled to be going into her second year working at the Career Center and being able to help students in their career journeys. She is honored to be part of such a hardworking team that dedicates its efforts to assisting students to develop their career readiness skills. She plans to continue paving the way and help students figure out what they want to do in their lives.
One thing she quickly learned from her short time at Mesa that she wishes to share with students is, " Use your resources! Network! Get out of your comfort zone! The best things occur when you are exploring your opportunities and pushing your boundaries"
Lead CAREER AMBASSADOR, JOSE ORTEGA '22
PRONOUNS: HE/HIM/HIS
CONTACT: [email protected]
Jose graduated from San Diego Mesa College with an Associates Degree for Transfer in Mathematics in the Spring of 2022. Jose is currently in his second quarter at University of California San Diego, majoring in Cognitive Science. He is in the process of working towards a Bachelor’s Degree with Specialization in Design and Interaction with an expected graduation date of Spring 2024. Jose would like to continue his education in a direction that would lead him towards being a quality student at UCSD. He was able to learn the importance of always reaching out for help. The support that Mesa is able to provide for the student is immensely appreciated and Jose is grateful for every single part of it. He is excited to rejoin the Career Ambassador team for a second year to continue helping out students reach their Career goals. He is excited to make an effort to keep expanding the community Mesa has been building so eloquently over the years.
An advice he would give to students for their own career journey would be, “Don’t be afraid to reach out. Focus on yourself. Remember it’s your journey and the only battle is you versus yourself.”
Welcome CAREER AMBASSADOR, Kanika lee '23 (New hire as of september 2022)
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
CONTACT: [email protected]
Kanika is an international student currently pursuing an Associate in Arts for transfer in Economics at San Diego Mesa College. Kanika sees herself as a "forever student," eager to build on her academic foundations and develop her career readiness skills. Throughout her academic and professional path, Kanika has received a lot of support and guidance from the inclusive and culturally diverse community in Mesa, which has encouraged her to step outside of her small bubble and embark on new challenges. Kanika intends to spread the love and warmth that welcomed her as she joined Mesa. She feels privileged and excited to be a part of the Career Center and is able to create a welcoming environment for her peers while supporting them in strengthening their career competencies.
One thing Kanika would like to share with her fellow peers is, “Don’t let the unknown stop you from progressing. When you’re in a hard place or feel like you’re being challenged the most, believe in where you’re heading.”
Welcome CAREER AMBASSADOR, Ashley Welch 22' (New hire as of september 2022)
PRONOUNS: she/her/hers
CONTACT: [email protected]
Ashley graduated from San Diego Miramar College with an Associates Degree for Transfer in Psychology in the Spring of 2022. She is currently a Junior at San Diego State University and plans to graduate with her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology in the Fall of 2023. Ashley has goals to pursue a career in therapy and was originally inspired to do so through her experience as a student with the Student Health Services at Mesa College. During her time as a student within the San Diego Community College District, she found Mesa to be an amazing place to develop academically and professionally. She loves being a part of the Career Center as a Career Peer Ambassador, giving students valuable resources as they establish career goals and pursue their next steps within the process. In her perspective, it is a privilege to be a part of the Mesa team that works hard to build an environment based around equity and excellence.
A piece of advice she would give to students is to take the time to recognize the human in everybody. “Push yourself to be empathetic towards those around you and take time to validate yourself. We all have things we are trying to figure out so be patient with yourself and others.”