"I do consider myself successful because I accomplished the long-term goals I set for myself when I was a student. I graduated, started my career, and moved to a new place. I am passionate about life, and the career I chose allows me to have work-life balance. I feel like that’s rare nowadays, so I cherish it."
Alyssa Miranda Soto grew up in Donna, Texas where she graduated from Donna High School. During her time in high school, Alyssa took college credit courses through STC. Upon graduating, she attended UTRGV where she majored in Accounting. She currently works at the accounting firm, Deloitte, in their Advisory practice serving government agencies in the Washington Metropolitan area.
What influenced you to go into the career field you chose?
I enjoyed math, but I couldn’t picture myself as an engineer, so I became an accountant.
When did you work at the CLE and how long did you work here?
I worked at the CLE for 3 years from Summer 2015 – Summer 2018.
What made you interested in applying to work at the CLE?
At the time, I was looking for a job that would work with my school schedule.
Tell us a student success story that reaffirmed your love of tutoring. Did this impact your decision to pursue the career you did?
I tutored a student, who in addition to going back to school for the first time in about 20 years, was also a mom. She was eager to do well in her classes, not only to accomplish her personal goals, but to make her family proud. She came to my tutoring sessions prepared and ready to learn. She went on to excel in the classes she received tutoring for as well as earn two degrees in the process – one from STC and another from UTRGV. This student success story did not impact my decision to pursue a career in accounting.
What have you been doing since you left the CLE?
I have been working for a Big 4 accounting firm, Deloitte, in their Advisory practice servicing government agencies in the Washington Metropolitan Area.
How did working at the CLE prepare you for the career you have now?
Tutoring is very similar to working with clients. You have specialized knowledge in a certain subject/field, and when a problem needs to be solved, your services are rendered. Learning how to build rapport with students also prepared me for future client relationships. It taught me that people are willing to work with you if they trust you.
Do you consider yourself to be successful? Why or why not?
I do consider myself successful because I accomplished the long-term goals I set for myself when I was a student. I graduated, started my career, and moved to a new place. I am passionate about life, and the career I chose allows me to have work-life balance. I feel like that’s rare nowadays, so I cherish it.
What advice would you give to new college students?
Stay focused on your goals but have fun while on that journey.
What was your favorite thing about working at the CLE?
The lifelong friends I made while working there.
What would you say was the biggest struggle to overcome in life thus far?
I would have to say the flood that affected the entire RGV in June of 2018. It displaced me from my home that summer, a few months before I was set to move to Washington, DC. It was hard moving away from my family during that trying time. I was going to start a new life elsewhere while they were trying to rebuild theirs back home.
Tutor Success Story
Alyssa Soto
"I do consider myself successful because I accomplished the long-term goals I set for myself when I was a student. I graduated, started my career, and moved to a new place. I am passionate about life, and the career I chose allows me to have work-life balance. I feel like that’s rare nowadays, so I cherish it."