At Capital IDEA Houston, our mission is to provide unwavering support to our participants as they navigate the path to achieving their educational and career goals. We understand the challenges and triumphs they face, and our dedicated team of career navigators is there every step of the way. In our latest blog post, we delve into the daily life of one of our exceptional career navigators, Katherine Anciso. Katherine shares her insights, experiences, and the rewarding aspects of her role at Capital IDEA Houston. Join us as we explore her day-to-day responsibilities, the relationships she builds with students, and the impact she has on their lives.
Latasha: What is your name and your position at Capital IDEA Houston?
Katherine: My name is Katherine Anciso, and I am a career navigator here at Capital IDEA Houston. I am located at the HCC West Loop campus.
Latasha: Can you describe a typical day as a career navigator?
Katherine: A typical day as a career navigator involves answering emails and phone calls from students, meeting with them, assisting with tuition payments, and advising them on how to enroll in their classes or whom to contact for enrollment at their schools. We partner with Lone Star College, San Jacinto College, Houston Community College, and Lee College. I also discuss their financial and personal struggles and advocate for them when necessary.
Latasha: What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
Katherine: I would say hearing their success stories and knowing that I can be an inspiration to them. Being there as a support person in their lives and rooting for them to succeed is very rewarding.
Latasha: Can you share a particularly memorable success story or moment from your time as a career navigator?
Katherine: One memorable success story involves a student named Desiree, who is now at Lone Star College. She was a college prep student of mine, and she passed her TSI exam, which allowed her to enroll in her classes. She expressed that without my support and advocacy, she would not have come this far. She really appreciated me, and her gratitude was very touching.
Latasha: What challenges do you often encounter in your role and how do you overcome them?
Katherine: Some challenges include students not showing up when they need to, such as for VIP needs or give-back times. Communication can also be difficult, as we like to stay very active in communicating with students. If they do not respond, it becomes a challenge to ensure they are on task and progressing.
Latasha: How do you build and maintain relationships with your students?
"I try to reach them on a personal level so that when trust is needed, they know I will be there for them. Sharing that I am going through or have gone through similar experiences helps them feel comfortable confiding in me or asking for advice. This personal connection is key to building and maintaining relationships."
Latasha: What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a career navigator?
Katherine: If you are interested in career navigating, I would say it’s important to have a passion for impacting people’s lives, not just young people but all individuals looking to further their education and lives. You also need to enjoy being a moderator and handling case management. Patience is crucial, as it’s a challenging yet very rewarding job.
As we wrap up our enlightening conversation with Katherine Anciso, it's clear that her passion and dedication as a career navigator have made a profound impact on countless lives. Her insights and experiences offer invaluable guidance for those seeking to find their path and achieve their career aspirations. At Capital IDEA Houston, we are inspired by Katherine’s commitment to empowering individuals and fostering their professional growth.
We hope her story has inspired you as much as it has inspired us. Stay tuned for more insightful interviews and stories from those making a difference in our community. Together, we can continue to build a network of support and opportunities, helping everyone reach their fullest potential.
