Centers for Learning Excellence

Paola Cepeda

Tutor Spotlight

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

A movie quote. It was my senior year and I was still deciding what exactly I wanted to study. I knew it had to be something that involved a lot of writing. In the movie You Again, the main character is a PR representative. At the beginning of the movie, she mentions something along the lines of how, in life, you can't control the things that happen to you, but you can control the way you react to them, and that was what Public Relations was all about. As the control freak that I am, that quote spoke volumes. I researched the career, was intrigued and decided to go for it.

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

I became a humanities tutor in the fall of 2016 and stayed for about three years.

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

I actually applied to be at the service desk, but the hiring managers believed I could help out the CLE's mission better as a tutor. They offered me the job and I took it.

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

I had one student that I helped throughout my three years. She chose me as her tutor, and we worked together to build her confidence so that she progressed in her studies. I helped her as much as I could on the tutoring side, but I also did my best to make sure she knew she was getting better grades because she was progressing and not because I was helping. It was a very rewarding experience.

What have you been doing since you left the CLE?

Lots. I left the CLE because an opportunity to jumpstart my career crossed my path. I started a part-time job at a local news station, then became a digital producer for ValleyCentral.com. After two years, I was promoted to Digital Executive Producer. After a year in that role, I moved on from news. I am now working as a communications coordinator for Texas Organ Sharing Alliance. I also became a dog mom!

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

Patience and communication skills – and learning to see the bigger picture. At the jobs I’ve had my patience and ability to train coworkers and peers has always been complimented. I will always thank my tutor years for that skill.

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

I would say yes. It’s sometimes difficult to pause, pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for all you’ve done. I think I’ve done everything in my power to turn my dreams into goals. I also feel happy doing what I love, which is always reassuring.

What advice would you give new college students?

I always advise college students to go for something that makes them happy. When choosing a career, you’ll feel the most fulfilled if that thing that you are doing feels rewarding every single day. Also, that it’s better to ask a dumb question than to make a dumb mistake. It’s a line I was told working in the newsroom, and something I wish someone would have told me sooner. Don’t be afraid to question everything, or to speak up on your behalf. Apply that to all aspects of your life and everything will go a lot smoother in the long run.

What was your favorite thing about working at the CLE?

The environment. The CLE, from management to tutors, is filled with people that care about the success of others as much as they do for their own. For me, it also fulfilled the love I have for teaching that I didn't follow with my studies. Getting to meet so many people and impacting their lives in a positive way is so rewarding.

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

For me, it has mostly been internal. It’s difficult to stay strong and keep going when there is a tiny voice inside you telling you you can’t. Or, to keep pushing forward when it feels like the world is falling apart. I’ve had to push myself out of my bubble and to place myself in uncomfortable situations to blossom into the successful woman that I am today.