Got my first job! Working at Radical Partners

Name: Luisana Zambrano Diaz

Hometown: Valencia, Venezuela

Degree/Major: International relations, minor in political science and certificate in public policy. Graduated with the Global Learning Medallion. 

Where are you working? Title? Radical Partners, associate

How did you get your job? A really good friend encouraged me to apply, several interviews and a lot a patience. Best decision ever!!

What was your greatest fear going into your first job, and how did you face it or overcome it? My greatest fear going into my first job was that I was not going to be able to find it in the field that I wanted it: social impact. So what I did during my application process was to be very intentional about opportunities that I was applying to. I made sure to showcase the work that I did while I was studying as a student assistant, my internship experiences and academic courses, and how it tied back to my future job.

What surprised you the most about your first job? There is so much more to learn. The social impact field is always evolving. I love how much I am learning everyday with the team and by supporting leaders in our community.

What advice do you have for those beginning the job search process? Don’t give up!! And I mean it. If there is a job that you want to get, be intentional about it. Apply to the ones that you would love to get, connect with your friends and network, ask for help, and honestly just do it! What is the best that can happen?

What does a day on the job look like? I support the organization in different programs such as the Strategic Planning Summit, Vote Miami, and different consultancy projects. When I am not in a meeting with the team learning about each other and supporting the programs, I can be catching up with work, designing presentations for the programs, and helping on what is needed.

How does your job connect back to your coursework? I would say it ties back to everything I did during my time at FIU. From my classes at the Honors College that ignited my passion for social entrepreneurship, social impact and community development to my job as a student assistant at StartUP FIU, where I had the opportunity to put into practice everything that I had learned about social impact; also Global Learning pushed me to become an active global citizen and be involved in the community, and all the extracurricular activities that I was a part of helped me to develop my leadership skills (Venezuelan Student Alliance, Student Government Association, and Model UN).

How was your transition from school to work? How do you balance your time? It was hard, I am not going to lie. Right after I graduated in Fall 2019, I took an internship opportunity with the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C. During that time, I learned so much and had so much support from the internship program and FIU in DC! However, my time in D.C. was not conventional as everyone else’s (COVID happened!) My internship transitioned to fully remote and right after my internship ended it took me about two months to find a job. Nonetheless, since I started to work at Radical Partners, I've been able to balance my time better, take time for myself, exercise a few times a week and catch up with a lot of readings!  

What’s been the coolest thing about your job so far? Getting to talk with community members and also see how the social impact ecosystem is growing in Miami. I love seeing the many good things our community leaders are doing here in our city; and, honestly, I get to do what I am passionate about every day! I can totally relate to that quote that says, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,”