#SDSUGrad: JR Lauron

Over the past year, the San Diego State University community has shown its true resilience. Graduates from the Class of 2021 are no exception. During this unprecedented time in human history, the university has prioritized providing students with important services like virtual academic support, emergency financial assistance and other support services. In particular, SDSU Career Services continues to offer resources for students, including the online career platform Handshake and expanded virtual programming and advising.

In this series, we highlight graduates as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, including those who have secured jobs and internships or are moving into advanced studies.   

Name: JR Lauron
Major: Industrial organizational psychology with a minor in leadership
Hometown: Milpitas, California

Can you describe a little bit about yourself and what led you to pursue human resources as an area of study?

I consider myself a people person meaning I've always loved connecting with different individuals and I thrive on human interaction. I also have a big heart for service and being in roles that allow me to help make positive impacts on the communities I serve. This combined with my industrial organizational psychology major, which focuses on the study of human behavior in the workplace, made human resources a natural fit for me. I also have an older sister who works as an HR professional which from seeing her lifestyle and career path really helped give me perspective on what I want to do. Human resources serves as the advocate for employees, and from having experience from my extracurricular involvements I've realized how crucial it is for any organization to be led with empathy and understanding which I strive to bring into my role.

When did you begin your job search and what did that process entail? 

I began my job search as early as the start of summer 2020. However, to fellow students I recommend starting even earlier if you can! Job searching during a pandemic did not make the process any easier, but I was encouraged by my mentors and peers to persevere and stay hopeful in the job search. To prepare, I reached out to mentors for resume revisions and mock interview practice. I attended networking events, signed up for the Aztec Mentorship Program, sought advice from Career Services, and got involved in organizations such as SDSU Society of Human Resource Management to meet like-minded career individuals.

When did you receive your official job offer and what was your reaction?

I received my official job offer on March 24, just two days after my 22nd birthday. It was the best belated birthday gift I could have received. When I received the phone call from my recruiter congratulating me, it felt so surreal. The first thing I did after was call my parents to share the good news since they have been my support from the beginning. After, I texted each of my mentors who had helped me get through the job search to show my gratitude for their guidance. Being able to say thank you meant a great deal for me because it felt like I was able to prove that all the faith I was given by people were not in vain and I wanted to make it clear that I couldn't have gotten here without their help.

What advice do you have for fellow students, regardless of their field, looking to jumpstart their career post graduation?

The best thing we can do as college students is explore and learn, which also involves meeting different people. Look into your passions and what excites you, find people who are involved in those areas, and ask about their story. Get insight from their experience, ask what their day-to-day work life is like, look into possible shadowing roles. The most authentic way to see yourself in a career is by meeting those who are already in it. Mostly importantly, treat every connection you make with intentionality rather than as stepping stones. Showing genuine interest in another person is what builds trust, and trust is the component that opens doors of opportunity.

When rejection gets you down remember that when it comes to job searching a big factor is luck. You can be the most prepared you've ever been and show your best self in an interview, however still get rejected because another applicant better fits the role. It is all in the matter of timing. Success will find you if you keep looking for it so do not give up.

How did SDSU prepare you for success not only at the university but after graduation?

SDSU built me up for success by granting me so many opportunities to practice my leadership and build communities that supported my needs. The culture of leadership at SDSU helped foster me to be the confident leader I am today. Organizations that will always have my heart such as Rotaract of SDSU, Psychology Club, Andres Bonifacio Samahan, and Associated Students were safe spaces that helped me realize my own capabilities to make an impact. At moments when I was afraid, it was the friends and mentors I made at SDSU that pushed me to find the courage to go after what I dreamed. The community I have built at SDSU is irreplaceable and I am graduating happy knowing that I will always be supported wherever I go.

What experience at SDSU has changed your life the most?

I would say that being part of the leadership minor has been the decision that improved my undergraduate career the most. I still remember first learning about the minor in my RWS-100 class then immediately going to my WebPortal to see if I could fit it in my class schedule. I chose this experience to reflect on because it ties deeply into all my decisions at SDSU moving forward. Through the minor, I was able to learn about the theories of leadership while in turn discovering more about myself and what styles work best for me. The leadership minor gave me the motivation to get more involved on campus and meet like-minded leaders who also cared about creating positive change. It also helped me see the importance of compassion and empathy, which are values I believe the world always needs more of.