Coming Back to Cal: A Personal Experience by Medelene Kachi '95

As a Liberal Arts Cal graduate from 1995, I left the University having had a wonderful experience, but not really clear on where my career path would take me. I was fortunate to find a career I really enjoyed in recruiting, working in the private sector for an Executive Search firm focused in the process industry and high tech sectors. After 5 years in this field, I reached a point where I felt that my learning curve had reached a glass ceiling. I also felt the need to branch out and contribute something back to Cal, a university that had given me an educational experience rich in diversity and intellectual stimulation.

I was lucky to find an opportunity to speak as part of a panel to students interested in exploring careers in the field of Human Resources, representing the field of Recruitment. I had never even given any thought to the fact that there might exist jobs at Cal, for a person with my background. From this participation, I became aware of an opportunity and was soon interviewing for a position as a Sr. Recruiter within Employment Services in the campus Human Resources Department. I was fortunate to get the job, and the rest is history. Since joining Cal, I have had the immense pleasure of working for this great institution, and enjoying all the perks of working here. From the never-ending activities (lectures/discussions, Cal Performances, museums, events etc), to the constant hum of student activity that keeps the University alive and vibrant – it has been a great experience from which I am learning something new every day.

Medelene Kachi '95