south texas college

Centers for Learning Excellence

Archive of tutor success stories

Marissa Lynn Garcia

"Don’t let anyone define what success looks like for you because as long as you have grit and a willingness to learn, you are successful."

Marissa Lynn Garcia

Tutor Spotlight

Marissa Lynn Garcia tutored at the Centers for Learning Excellence from 2013 to 2018.

Marissa Lynn Garcia grew up in Weslaco, TX and graduated from Weslaco High School. She studied at UTPA during her undergraduate, where she received her B.A. in English and a minor in Biology during the spring of 2015. In 2018, she received her M.A. in English with a concentration in Literature and Cultural Studies from UTRGV. Currently, Marissa is a Physician recruiter for a top locum staffing agency.

 

What influenced you to go into the career field you chose?

I have been in public charter school teaching, sales with a logistics company, and finally in healthcare recruiting. I would say tutoring set me up nicely for teaching but ultimately, I was able to combine an interest (healthcare--Grey’s Anatomy enthusiast) with my skillset (sales/teaching) to work at an amazing company remotely! Also, a big part of it was being open to new opportunities because it is absolutely okay if you end up somewhere you didn’t know you wanted to be!

When did you work at the CLE and how long did you work here?

I started working at the CLE in April 2013 and worked there until July 2018 which is a total of 5 years and a few months! This has been my favorite job so far (and my longest) regarding the people I have met and the memories I have made there.

What made you interested in applying to work at the CLE?

I was referred to work at the CLE by my good friend Nick Martinez who was already working there as a tutor! At the time, I was in my first year of college and looking for part time work that was fulfilling and would work with my class schedule. I had initially never done tutoring before so I did not know what to expect nor how my skills would translate. Working at the CLE was the best decision I ever made! Not only did I refresh my knowledge and sharpened my skills, but I also made lasting friendships with people I still speak to today!

Tell us a student success story that reaffirmed your love of tutoring. Did this impact your decision to pursue the career you did?

I have tutored many students over the course of my 5 years with the CLE. In that time, I do remember having students who would come every day during summer classes. At the time, I tutored both English and College Algebra and remember distinctly helping a student with an essay they had no idea to start. It can be overwhelming when you have no idea how to start and so we broke up this assignment into multiple sessions since she had weeks before the due date. It was such an honor to work with her and see the development of her creative process from brainstorming to essay outline to finally her first draft. After her revisions, she was proud of the essay she had created and ended up getting an A as well! Knowing I had a part in her success and helped her establish skills for her next essay, made me so happy to be a tutor. Now as a healthcare recruiter, I take pride in my ability to educate physicians and be a part of their next career move!

What have you been doing since you left the CLE?

Since I left the CLE, I had moved to San Antonio, TX where I worked as a 6th grade ELA Teacher for a year then moved on to an Inside Sales Representative! From there, I moved to the DFW area and now work as a remote Physician Recruiter for a top locum staffing agency. In my spare time I have been commissioned as a Notary, write short stories, take LinkedIn trainings, and provide resume/LinkedIn assistance! I love that my tutoring/teaching skills were transferable to my now corporate job, and I find that the skills you learn from working at the CLE are foundational!

How did working at the CLE prepare you for the career you have now?

I would say the CLE helped prepare me for the career I now have by gearing me up with transferable skills and a great resume experience. The transferable skills included customer service, tutoring certification, problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, presentation skills, excellent communication skills, etc. Hard skills (or technical skills) are important but soft skills are what win interviewers and clients over! More and more managers in today’s work culture state that soft skills and liberal arts degrees, especially in corporate, are in high demand. If you are a student, this is an amazing first job that not only works with your class schedule but set you up for success even if you do not go into teaching!

Do you consider yourself to be successful? Why or why not?

Absolutely. Success looks different for everyone, so I celebrate my successes both big and small. I am also proud of my mistakes and failures because I learned from them and as someone who deals with anxiety—being okay with mistakes is necessary! My success did not have a straight path regarding my career such as going from tutoring to teaching. I have worked in 3 different industries and received amazing experience in each one! Knowing how to sell yourself and showcase your soft skills with your technical skills will open many doors! “A jack of all trades is a master of none but oftentimes better than a master of one.” Don’t let anyone define what success looks like for you because as long as you have grit and a willingness to learn, you are successful.

What advice would you give to new college students?

My advice would be that organization, attention to details, is important for your work-life balance. You can be the smartest person in the room but if you do not organize your time to submit work when it’s due or take the time to study, you will struggle. Whether it is a physical planner, your phone calendar, or random sticky notes everywhere—take the time to map out your class schedule with assignments due dates. Your future self will thank you later! When we are slammed with work, school, and studying, your organization can be your lifeline…controlled chaos if you will!

What was your favorite thing about working at the CLE?

My favorite thing about working at the CLE was the comradery. The CLE has this special way of bringing people together to learn from each other and create a welcoming place. We could not do this without the leadership we had from our managers, specialists, and the department because good leadership trickles down to the employees and the students. Overall, I strongly believe in the work the CLE does and the impact it has on both the students and the tutors.

What would you say was the biggest struggle to overcome in life thus far?

My biggest struggle to overcome in life thus far would have to be staying true to myself and finding my path. It is so easy to let the world and the people in your life control or influence your outlook and goals. We all have people whose opinions we care about. We all have struggles that are not always seen and not all influence is good. I firmly believe with grit, defined as “courage and resolve; strength of character,” we can overcome anything.

Tutor Success Story
Marissa Lynn Garcia

Marissa Lynn Garcia

“Don’t let anyone define what success looks like for you because as long as you have grit and a willingness to learn, you are successful.”

Read Full ArticleRead Past Articles