A World of Rocks Waiting to be Turned Over

ilseu — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 20:34:22 +0000

A World of Rocks Waiting to be Turned Over ilseu Wed, 02/09/2022 - 12:34 More Blog Posts Elias Almarez-Herrera ’23 February 09, 2022

In the months leading up to graduating with a Bachelor of Science in management information systems, Angela Marcel-Gavin ’21 recalls having tunnel vision when thinking about what career opportunities lay ahead of her. Like many graduating students, she found herself caught in a cycle of applying for positions, facing rejection, and then summoning the willingness to start the process all over again. The uncertainty of entering the workforce made the experience both daunting and discouraging at times.

Angela Marcel-Gavin ’21

“At the time, I was interested in finding a job related to information technology or information systems,” she says. “I noticed I was coming up short and decided it was important for me to branch out.”

Her willingness to explore different options proved to be a turning point. Donna Keller, associate of Human Capital Management at Goldman Sachs, encouraged Marcel-Gavin to apply for a position in finance with the company. This advice, though unexpected, pushed her to think beyond the boundaries she had set for herself. It marked the beginning of a new path that would ultimately allow her to combine her technical training with a role that carried a deeply human impact.

“After a three-month interview process, I began my work as an analyst with the Survivor’s Support department,” she says. “We support the employees of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs dealing with loss. Counselors work with our clients on estate settlements, retirements, cash flow, and assets after a loved one dies.”

Making an impact had always been a priority for Marcel-Gavin, and the Survivor’s Support department provided a unique opportunity to do just that. While her degree gave her a strong technical background, her day-to-day responsibilities now emphasize communication, empathy, and financial guidance. By equipping others with knowledge and providing support during some of life’s most challenging moments, she has discovered a career that blends service with professional growth.

Her role allows her to be a steady presence for individuals experiencing grief. Rather than focusing solely on data or systems, she now works directly with people navigating transitions after the loss of a loved one. The technical and analytical skills gained in her MIS program prepared her to handle complex processes, but her position requires just as much emotional intelligence as it does professional expertise.

“If you asked me last year if I'd take a position in finance, I would have hands down said, ‘No,’ because I got a B in Introduction to Financial Management,” she says. “Now, I'm more open-minded about my career. For me, it took graduating from university and stepping into the real world to realize how much more I am willing to learn.”

Her story highlights the importance of adaptability, resilience, and the willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities. By remaining open to advice, Marcel-Gavin transformed rejection into redirection and found a role that challenges her to grow in new ways. Today, she continues to learn every day, proving that a single course grade does not define the scope of a career.

No Rock Left Unturned

ilseu — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 22:55:59 +0000

No Rock Left Unturned ilseu Thu, 02/11/2021 - 14:55 More News Laurie McLaughlin February 11, 2021

Serving as a contemporary culture volunteer for the Associated Students Program Board during her junior year, Angela Marcel-Gavin immersed herself in a new area of discovery while organizing the February 2020 Winter Soulstice concert for fellow students. “I helped set up and tear down equipment, helped run the event on the day, and really enjoyed the experience,” says Marcel-Gavin, who also watched an artist’s performance from backstage—a new perspective. “It gave me a lot of insight on what goes on in the background during these school concerts, and I learned about the logistical side of planning and executing an event for the entire student body.”

Making the most out of the opportunities at hand is among the things she learned from her family: “My grandparents moved from Africa to the United States to provide career and academic opportunities for my mom and the rest of the family,” she says. “They built an entire new life in a foreign country away from the rest of their family so that they could live a better life. They constantly inspire me to work hard and make them proud.”

Marcel-Gavin’s biggest inspiration is her mother. “Growing up in a single-parent household, there were times it was very difficult with finances and opportunities,” she says. “My mom sacrificed a lot to for me to attend a university as she did. She had multiple jobs to support my academic and extracurricular endeavors, and I certainly would not be the scholar I am today without her support over these past few years.”

With a concentration in information systems, Marcel-Gavin will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in business this year. While nearing the end of her undergraduate journey, she hasn’t let the pandemic slow her down: As she studies from home, she continues to be deeply involved in activities beyond the virtual classroom that have enriched her undergraduate experience and dovetail with her desire to continue to explore areas leading to a potential career path.

She’s filled differing leadership roles on the Highlander Orientation team, and as a member of Delta Gamma sorority, Marcel-Gavin was vice president of finance for two years and exercised her skills in finance and auditing. She is co-chief ambassador with the undergraduate UCR School of Business Ambassador program, a group of students who support the school’s many events for students, alumni, donors, and friends of the university; the ambassadors are also a valuable conduit for prospective students. Marcel-Gavin recently completed a marketing research internship with Phavour, a company that connects people with jobs (“A wonderful experience,” she says.), and she has been working for more than a year as a barista at the Starbucks coffee shop on campus.

What she most appreciates is the people she interacts with at the university. “I personally love how diverse and welcoming the UCR community is,” says Marcel-Gavin, who is from Torrance, California. “I am motivated to achieve and surpass my academic goals, and I’m surrounded by individuals who have strong academic achievements themselves.”

As she looks to the future, she is exploring all the options that her hard work, both academically and through her volunteerism, has unearthed during her time at UCR. “I am open and excited to experience various roles and careers within the business world until I find something that is the perfect fit for me,” she says, and is currently interested in international business and how global companies run their organizations in the U.S. and other countries. “I am looking for a full-time job within the information systems field so that I can jump right in and gain experience in positions as I find a job I am truly passionate about.”

During her studies, she’s explored accounting, finance, marketing, management, and more, and sees the value in understanding all facets of business, because she knows this preparation opens many career paths.

“I love learning about current business trends relevant to today’s society and the components it takes to start one’s own business,” she says. “Hopefully, I can use this knowledge to start my own small business one day.”