When Maria Paula Navarrete—known to most as “Maps”—walked through the glass doors of the Office of Student Employment for the first time, she wasn’t there to apply for a job. She was there, as a brand-new freshman and international student, seeking guidance. “I came in for a resume review,” she recalls. “I was told that, as an international student, I could apply for the International Student Employment Fund (ISEF) award.”  An award that offers international students institutional funding to earn through student employment roles on campus. With the help of the CSEE office staff, Askia VanOmmeren, and after five sessions of résumé building and coaching, Maps submitted her application and was selected in Fall 2024.  

What she didn’t know at the time was that this journey through uncertainty and discovery would lead her right back to that very same office—not as a client, but as a vital part of its team.

More Than a Poster-Maker

Now a Student Assistant in the Office of Student Employment, Maps is anything but a background player. While she laughingly says she’s known for making “the best posters in Canva,” her role goes far deeper. “I collect, organize, and maintain student employment documents and records,” she explains. “Additionally, I provide career coaching for on-campus employment opportunities and help students build their resumes and cover letters to land jobs.”

For someone who arrived unsure of how student employment even worked in the U.S., this transformation is profound. Her motivation for applying to the role stemmed not only from a need but from a calling. “I have always believed in giving back,” she says. “This office had been so welcoming and understanding with me when I first arrived… I wanted to be in a position where I could do the same for other students.”

A Moment of Fulfillment

While Maps has many accomplishments under her belt, one moment stands out vividly in her memory. “In early April, one of the international students who was scared about applying for internships got one,” she shares, smiling. “We had multiple meetings—not only working on his resume but also his cover letter and interview skills. The moment I ran into him, and he told me he had gotten the job was a moment of beautiful fulfillment.”

That student’s success wasn’t just a win for him, it was a full-circle realization of why Maps took the job in the first place.

From Fear to Confidence

Despite her self-described boldness, “I have always been someone who is rarely afraid and almost always confident”, Maps admits that stepping into her first job in the U.S. came with fears. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be good enough for it,” she confesses. “More than being afraid of messing up the paperwork (which terrified me), I was afraid of not being helpful to the students who came in.”

But over time, something shifted. Encouragement from peers, support from her supervisor Denniesia Cameron and meaningful connections with students helped her grow into the role. “After four months, I am confident that I am good enough to do the job, while always remembering that there is still room to grow and improve.”

Life Lessons Beyond Architecture

As an Architecture major, Maps knows her job doesn’t involve blueprints or design software—but she doesn’t see that as a drawback. “This job hasn’t taught me how to design a house,” she says, “but it has taught me how to communicate, stay organized, work under pressure, and be empathetic—all of which are essential skills for any future opportunity I might have in architecture.”

It’s a testament to her outlook: every experience, if embraced fully, has something to teach.

A Bridge for Others

Maps’s impact on the student community is rooted in empathy. Having once stood in the shoes of a nervous student with questions and uncertainties, she’s made it her mission to be a steady hand for others. “I’d like to think my work has made a difference for students who are afraid to go out there and get jobs,” she says. “I have even met with the same students multiple times to help them out. Through the students I’ve supported, I hope I have made a meaningful impact on the department as a whole.”

Why Student Employment Matters

For Maps, working on campus isn’t just convenient, it’s transformative. “Especially for someone like me, with such a time-consuming major, having my job in the building next door has been a blessing,” she reflects. Beyond that, she’s gained new friendships, broadened her community, and deepened her sense of belonging. “I will always recommend student employment for the wonderful opportunities it brings.”

From resume novice to peer coach, from wide-eyed newcomer to confident campus contributor, Maps’s story is a reminder that growth often starts with uncertainty. And sometimes, the best way to find your path is to help others find theirs.

“Every opportunity life gives you teaches something valuable. It’s up to you to apply it to your field.” – Maria Paula “Maps” Navarrete

Contributed by: Denniesia Cameron, Mick Bradley, Maria Paula “Maps” Navarrete