LYNX LIFE LIBRARY

I am still in disbelief that I work at the Experiential Learning Center (ELC). As a non-traditional, first-generation student I struggled immensely with my transition to civilian life after my service in the Army. As my plane touched down from Afghanistan in February 2019, I had one thing on my mind: surviving the next month of out processing and paperwork to begin a new chapter of my life as a student and a productive member of society. Not a fortnight after my arrival back home to the safety of American soil, the COVID-19 lockdowns began.

After an online crash course on how to adjust to civilian life hosted by government employees, I was thrust back into regular society. My choice to leave the military meant that I was ineligible for unemployment. In addition, my small seaside resort hometown, being completely shut down by the pandemic, left me little to no options for securing gainful employment. To make matters worse, the pandemic meant that all the classes I had registered for months prior were now purely online. As a student who barely scraped by in high school and had not attended a formal school in almost a decade, I was intimidated. Furthermore, after a brief crisis of character I relocated from Rhode Island to San Diego and changed from a computer science major to psychology.

After seeing how my fellow veterans struggled with the same things I was going through, I knew that my calling was to help others. Following the completion of my associates degree I decided to visit two of my best friends in Denver for a Fourth of July celebration. A Rockies game and a weekend of touring downtown Denver’s hottest spots is all it took to convince me that the Mile High City was where I wanted to live. I had already been accepted to, and was planning on attending, the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, when I applied to CU Denver from my friend’s apartment. Upon my arrival back to San Diego I packed up a U-Haul and my dog and started driving. I will never forget checking my email while pumping gas and seeing the acceptance letter from CU Denver.

This is the start of my CU Denver Lynx story. I had already been in school for about two years when I stepped on a campus for the first time in Denver. I was in awe of the diversity of the student population. Not only as it relates to race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and age, but the entirety of CU Denver also left me with an inexplicable feeling of happiness and comfort. I loved traveling to campus and engaging with faculty, staff, and students. However, there was one major thing missing from my life. A job.

I had managed to adjust and excel in my studies but had no luck on the job front. Then a new opportunity opened for me. I received an email for the Boots to Suits program on campus. A program with a small cohort that aids veterans in professional development and translating their military experience to the civilian sector. Through this program I had my first exposure to the ELC and the campus Career Center. At this point, I had been attending CU Denver for a year but had no idea of all the resources that were available to me.

The empowerment that I felt learning how to write cover letters, resumes, conduct informational interviews, network, and various other professional skills inspired me. As a student I immediately began telling everyone in my classes about Lynx Connect and all the services that they offer. As graduation approached, I saw an opening at the Career Center and I quickly submitted my application, which ultimately led to my current role as an internship advisor.

Working with the many offices at Lynx Connect as a student, and now an employee, I have learned so many valuable skills through resources that I feel many students still do not know about. The four major offices we have at LynxConnect are the Career Center, the Experiential Learning Center (ELC), Undergraduate Research, and Study Abroad.
The Career Center works to support undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni of all identities in finding direction in your career path. By engaging with individuals early and often, they help you explore different majors, maximize your university experience, prepare job application materials, and secure employment that meets your goals. 
My office in the ELC helps students develop knowledge, skills, and career readiness competencies through internship experiences. The ELC is eager to assist students, academic departments, and employers in reaching their experiential learning goals.

The Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (URCA) is your connection to the research opportunities that are out there just waiting for you. They are here to help you connect your classroom learning to real-world research opportunities through grants, work-study, summer fellowships, and more.
Finally, the Office of Global Education/Study Abroad is committed to providing every University of Colorado Denver student a wide range of engaging and affordable international study, research, and clinical opportunities to help you globalize your academic and professional future.

While I never did formal research, have an internship, or study in a foreign country, I wish I had. Being able to work with these various offices, I have seen first-hand the immense value personally and professionally that students who have these experiences gain. I encourage every student to engage with the offices listed above at least once, even if it is just to say hello and ask questions. We are here to help!