Human Resources Intern

My experience as the Human Resources Intern at Parker Aerospace has been wonderful, everyone has been positive, supportive, and helpful. Within two months, I became acquainted with all aspects of Human Resources. Some projects I have been working on include finding resources and updating their SharePoint slides. I focused on updating the Aerospace HR site, including social media highlights for career fairs and a well-being campaign. I also shadowed the TA onboarding process from sourcing and screening candidates all the way to hiring and onboarding them. I would recommend Parker’s internship to others interested in learning if HR is the right path for them. The hands-on experience allowed me to absorb practical knowledge that I will most definitely take with me for further career opportunities.

Sophia Ma

Class of 2023

Majors: Crim, Law & Society, and Psychological Sciences

Hai Chi Tat

Class of 2023 

Major: Computer Science

Software Engineering Intern

This summer has honestly flown by so fast, yet my internship at Nihon Kohen has been so fun and fulfilling. I worked collaboratively on programming an interface for Nihon Kohden to utilize in automating the process of server configuration. I had the pleasure of working with Gerardo Sanchez, a SAGE Alum and now my mentor. He has been incredibly supportive and helped me transition into the internship and guided me on my project. My supervisor, Iliya Dulguerov, has been amazing in not only the project, but also in guiding me on how to navigate the professional world. 

My project in programming an interface overall taught me a lot about development in the professional world, it isn’t just programming as I’ve been doing in my courses. It’s a lot more than that, and I’m glad I got to experience it first-hand through this internship. I would like to thank SAGE for introducing me to the company and this internship opportunity because I truly treasure the memories, friends, and professional experience I have gained from this internship.

Legal Advocacy Intern

Through the SAGE Scholars Program, I secured an internship with Human Options, a domestic violence nonprofit organization. As a legal advocacy intern, I work on the waitlist for legal services, completing initial client registrations, booking appointments, doing court accompaniments, and referring to legal advocates or social services. I am getting acquainted with restraining orders, family law, civil law, immigration, etc. As well as supporting the emergency shelter, 24/7 hotline office, and translating for staff when needed. I’m enjoying advocating and supporting victims of domestic violence and can see myself working in this field in the future.

Lissette Jacqueline Pena

Class of 2023

Major: Political Science

From College – to – Career

Faiza Azizan

Class of 2022

B.S. Computer Science

Multiple Ways of Living your Best Life

The program’s professional development workshops set me up for success in obtaining an internship and eventually a full-time position as a technology consultant at KPMG. The SAGE Scholars Program provided me with a sense of belonging in a community of diverse, bright-minded students–something I greatly appreciated as a transfer student. We encouraged and inspired each other as we learned our self-worth and how to build on our individual strengths and weaknesses. But it is the life lessons that will stick with me the most–that there are multiple ways to live your best life, and you are on the right path to achieve it. The SAGE Program’s warmth and support will always be a highlight of my experience at UC Irvine.

From Intern to Full-Time Technical Marketing Associate

It has been an honor to be part of the SAGE family during my final two years at UCI as an undergrad. Through my participation, I secured a SAGE-sponsored internship with Nihon Kohen and I gained many skills like leadership, teamwork, and adaptability, which I have found to be very important as I entered the workforce. Equally, I am most grateful to SAGE for their one-on-one support and guidance which allowed me to transition from my internship to a full-time role upon graduation as a Technical Marketing Associate at Nihon Kohden Digital Health Solutions, Inc. SAGE will always hold a special place in my heart for treating me more than a student.

Lynda Madai Jauregui- Almejo

Class of 2022

B.A. Psychological Science

Successful Journey Towards a Ph.D.

Through specialized courses, workshops on discovering and utilizing my CliftonSrengths, and regular check-ins with my mentors, SAGE helped enhance my leadership, academic, and professional skills. Resulting in a successful journey towards pursuing my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. As an incoming first-generation transfer student at UCI, I had difficulty integrating academically into a prestigious higher education environment. However, as a SAGE scholar, I received mentorship that allowed me to locate resources internally and externally of UCI, which helped alleviate the stress of balancing school, work, and single parenting.

Karla Galvan Cabrera

Class of 2022 

B.A. in Psychological Scienceical

B.A. Criminology, Law, and Society

Andrea Lili Castillo

Class of 2022 

B.S. Mechanical Engineer

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow

As a first-generation college student and Latina in engineering, this program provided me with the support necessary to feel like I belong in academia, confident in my abilities, and capable of creating lasting change in a field I am passionate about growing. I am now a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (NSF GRF) and a first-year Ph.D. student at Arizona State University conducting research on the Latinx community and first-generation college students in engineering. With the skills I gained in the SAGE Scholars Program, I have been successful in building my personal brand, being mindful of my personal well-being, and developing an action plan for my career endeavors. SAGE prepares its students for a variety of careers through its professional and personal development seminars that enhance the students’ understanding of how to navigate spaces like industry and academia. I’m looking forward to continuing to implement the success strategies SAGE taught me throughout the rest of my graduate school journey.

Fully-Funded Graduate School Admission

With the skills I gained in the SAGE Scholars Program, I was prepared to apply for and gain acceptance into my personal top choice of graduate school, Baylor University’s Doctor of Clinical Psychology Program. This fully-funded program provides me with a valuable opportunity to reach my dream of becoming a practicing Clinical Psychologist without the burden of student debt.

Aaron Finley

Class of 2020 

B.A., Psychological Sciences