Sean Gomez, MS, received his Master’s in College Counseling and Student Development from Azusa Pacific University. His background in data analysis, combined with his passion to promote the overall success of a community, propelled him to pursue a career in higher education, more specifically within student affairs and admissions. His years of experience interfacing between students and administration include positions as Assistant Director of Admissions at Claremont Graduate University and he is currently working as the Enrollment Operations Manager at Whittier College. 

Can you describe your academic and professional background? What path led you to pursue this field? 

I hold a Bachelors in Chemistry from UCSD and a Master’s in College Counseling and Student Development. Professionally I have worked as Assistant Director of Admissions at Claremont Graduate University (CGU) and am currently working as Enrollment Operations Manager at Whittier College. My path towards higher education was influenced by the work I took on during my time in my undergraduate, serving as a residential advisor for several years, participating in various organizations and committees, and taking on administrative roles within various student life offices. Through this, I developed a passion for working with students and student support services.

How did you find this particular position, and what was the hiring process like? Is there a typical structure for this in your field?

I was introduced to this position by several of my colleagues, who recognized my passion for database management and analysis, and my familiarity with the CRM system that was being used at Whittier College. My interview gauged my knowledge of Admissions and Enrollment, and proficiency with CRM systems. Due to this interview occurring during the pandemic, it was not fully reflective of what a typical interview may look like, however, it still worked towards keeping a similar format. This included a preliminary phone interview with the Enrollment Leadership team followed by a video interview with several departments that historically collaborate with this position.

Can you tell us about your current responsibilities? What is a typical day or week like in your role?

I am currently overseeing all admissions processes in our CRM system, from lead and  application generation, FTP integrations for uploading transcripts, test scores, and financial aid information, and database maintenance. I also collaborate with various departments, such as Financial Aid, Institutional Research, Faculty, and IT, to provide accurate data for reporting and departmental goals and projects.

What do you enjoy about your current job and work environment? 

In my current role, I feel I am developing specialized skills and knowledge in a field that I may not have come across if it were not for the path I took. I like problem solving and finding new and efficient ways to improve processes. My work allows me the flexibility of working both in-person and remotely, as much of the tools I need to succeed are digital. 

What are some of the challenging aspects of your job? Is there anything you wish you had known about your job or industry before joining?

The challenging aspects of my job are coming across new scenarios or obstacles towards goals set forth by the Enrollment team or myself. I welcome these challenges as it is an opportunity to dissect the problem and approach situations from a new perspective. There are many coding languages that I come across on a daily that I do wish I had taken more computer science courses in my undergrad to help prepare me, but ultimately I do find ways to meet the end result.

Do you have any professional plans for the future? What are some future career paths that could open up for someone in your position, 5-10 years down the road?

My current position is actually something I have been striving for a while. Being in a position where I can mold and improve database processes while also having a keen understanding of the departments that work directly with students, allows me to provide useful tools and reports that may not have been utilized before or as effectively. This is a position I can see myself in for the next 5-15 years, with opportunity to grow within the institution. 

What’s changing in your industry? Are there any future trends we should be aware of?

In Higher Education Admissions specifically, we are sometimes at the whim of the market or even global scale pandemics. Depending on the type of institution you work at (private, public, small, large, non-profit, for-profit, etc.), the makeup of each incoming class can vary and institutions are looking for ways to ensure that they are able to meet budgetary goals while also facing budgetary constraints. As education has advanced across the globe, many international students are finding opportunities closer to home rather than coming to the U.S., which can impact institutions that may rely heavily on this population. A topic to keep in mind in the future is how the government will play a factor in providing financial assistance for students, but also minimizing the debt that students take out by the time they graduate.

What activities, internships, or organizations would you recommend someone get involved with to help them break into this field?

I recommend looking first at some of the local clubs or organizations you may be in and talking with the staff advisor. There are usually various offices looking for student volunteers to join to help in various capacities. For me, this was joining the Academic Integrity Board and the Judicial Board at UCSD. In some student roles, you may be invited to join a local conference, which will be a great opportunity to network and meet with professionals outside of your bubble, to provide you varying experiences on opportunities in these fields.

Is it common for people in your field to have a scientific/academic background (i.e. have PhDs)? Can you think of any advantages or disadvantages someone with a PhD might experience while pursuing or working in your field?

Having a STEM background has really helped me hone my data analytics skills and be able to apply it to Assessment and Data Reporting. An individual with a PhD may be more interested in a leadership position, such as serving as the President or Chancellor of an Institution. Individuals with a STEM PhD may want to consider pursuing academic affairs and could work up to serving as departmental heads/directors.

Do you have any final words of advice for those navigating these career questions? Is there anything you would have done differently given what you know now? 

I think it is important to understand that your education does not necessarily define your career. It can impact what your first job might be out of college or you may realize too late that you do not feel the passion to pursue it as a career. Regardless, you should work towards building upon the opportunities you take in college, whether it is joining a club or organization, working as a Research or Teaching Assistant, or even signing up to be a Residential Advisor. Those opportunities opened doors for me into understanding my passions and my strengths, and helped me build confidence. In the end, I wouldn’t change my past. I enjoy the work I do and the life I have, and I may not have ended up where I am now if it weren’t for the decisions I made in the past.