Finding Success through Career Services: An Impact Story

St. John's Admissions Counselor, Zeinab El Hawari
By Toni Critelli

College is a time of exploration, filled with questions about majors and career paths, and navigating unexpected challenges. For many students, finding the right personal direction can feel overwhelming. St. John’s University graduate student Zeinab El Hawari ’23C was no different—unsure of her path, but determined to find her way. With the support of Career Services, she discovered new opportunities and ultimately forged a career she hadn’t anticipated. In this Q&A, Zeinab shares her journey to success and the lessons she learned along the way.

Q&A with Zeinab El Hawari 

Can you tell us about your first year of college?

I enrolled at St. John’s in the Fall of 2019. A few months in, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, disrupting campus life. The sudden shift to remote learning and the uncertainty of the pandemic forced me to reevaluate my academic and career goals. Like many students, I felt unsure of what the future held.

What was your first encounter with career services? 

When I started college, I had not determined what I wanted to study or pursue as a career. When I took a philosophy class, I became fascinated by the human mind and its complexities. A friend suggested I consider majoring in psychology, but I still needed clarification. 

Seeking guidance, I met with Kenneth Emeghebo, Associate Director of Career and Internship of First-Year Advising at St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Kenneth provided personalized advice, helping me see the bigger picture. He reassured me that I didn’t have to have everything figured out right away and explained how a major in psychology could open doors to various career paths beyond mental health counseling or psychiatry. After our discussion, I declared my major in psychology and couldn’t be happier with my decision. 

How Career Services Helped Me Succeed

How did Career Services provide you with continued support?

As I approached graduation in 2023, securing an internship or job to gain experience became a priority. After meeting with my adviser, I learned about a career fair happening in the spring. Kenneth strongly encouraged me to attend, and that decision changed everything. 

At the fair, I had the opportunity to meet representatives from various organizations, including the FBI, a hotel management company, and EF Education First. My interest in EF Education First was piqued because I had previously traveled with them during high school on an educational trip to Switzerland and Italy, an experience that ignited my passion for international experiences.

Engaging with the EF representative opened my eyes to potential careers that aligned with my passions. Inspired by our conversation, I applied for a position at EF, followed up with a thank-you email to the representative, and was subsequently offered the job after the interview process. I was thrilled to accept the opportunity, marking my entry into the professional world with a company I deeply admired. Although it was a short-term role, the experience I gained was invaluable, and the connections I forged were meaningful. 

As my role at EF concluded, I contacted Kenneth again for guidance on finding a full-time position. He informed me about an opening for an International Admission Counselor at St. John’s. Initially, I hesitated because I lacked experience in admission, but he encouraged me to apply, believing in my potential.

Throughout the interview process, he supported me every step of the way. After advancing through the first round of interviews, the next phase required me to give a five-minute presentation. We collaborated to select a topic for which I was genuinely passionate: the importance of understanding unconscious bias when working with international students. This topic resonated with the interviewers and a week after my presentation, I received the call—I had been offered the position.

Continuing Education: Pursuing a Master’s Degree

 What are your plans moving forward?

Alongside my role as an International Admission Counselor at St. John’s, I’ve also decided to pursue a Master of Science degree in International Communication. Kenneth played a crucial role in helping me navigate my options and understand why this was the right fit for my long-term goals. He even provided one of my recommendation letters. St. John’s University and Career Services have continued to support me as I began this next chapter of my academic journey.

Lessons Learned: Advice for Future Students

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from your experience with Career Services?

Through my experiences working with Career Services, I’ve learned that your major doesn’t determine your career path or job. It’s okay not to have everything figured out during college. What truly matters is being open to new experiences and putting yourself out there. My advice to students is to not focus so much on choosing the “perfect” major, but on building connections and enhancing skills. Developing the ability to communicate effectively in interviews is crucial, regardless of your career path.

Key Takeaways for Future Students 

Seek Guidance Early: Visit Career Services early, even if you’re unsure about your major or career path. They are there to help you find clarity and direction.

Take Advantage of Opportunities: Attend career fairs and networking events, even if you don’t know exactly what you want to do. These events can open doors to unexpected opportunities.

Focus on Building Skills: Your major doesn’t lock you into one path. Focus on gaining transferable skills and experiences that will make you adaptable in various fields.

Make Connections: Networking is a vital part of building your career. Don’t hesitate to contact advisers, professors, and professionals in the field—they may help you find opportunities you didn’t know existed.

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Toni Critelli

Digital Content Creator

Toni Critelli is a full-time staff writer for Johnnie's Blog. Through engaging content, she captures the essence of the institution, its students, faculty, and alums.