Turning college work experience into career success

Estefanni Caballero isn’t just preparing for a career while in college, she’s already building one. Through real-world experience gained at College of Lake County (CLC) and beyond, Caballero is entering the workforce with a resume full of accomplishments and the confidence to match.

CLC was the right choice as it gave Caballero, a Gurnee resident, a chance to explore what she wanted to study while paying less and being close to home. CLC has more than 170 degrees and certificates to choose from and different student clubs and organizations to fit all interests.

Caballero quickly found comfort during the start of college thanks to the welcoming faculty and being part of the CLC Scholars program, something Caballero said is one of the most defining parts of her CLC experience.

“I met like-minded students and instructors who made an impact," she said. “I still keep in touch with them after graduating.”

The Scholars Program did more than just help Caballero settle in. It pushed her out of her comfort zone by having her find a student job. Interested in marketing, Caballero took a position with the public relations and marketing department.

“Working with the CLC public relations and marketing department was a perfect match for Caballero,” Scholars Program Coordinator Dr. Nicholas Schevera. “This experience connected her talents and career goals and provided her with the opportunities to grow personally and to prepare her as a strong transfer student and beyond.”

Working in the public relations and marketing department gave Caballero the opportunity to explore various career options and try out numerous roles. One of the big projects she helped with was working on the college’s comprehensive reimagination of its website.

CLC Public Relations and Marketing Director Anne O’Connell, APR, said, “I truly value and enjoy the partnerships our students offer us when they join our team, as Estefanni did. She brought a fresh, thoughtful perspective to our work and helped us make an impact. I am confident she will continue to do amazing work in her career.”

Being in this professional environment while still in school helped Caballero learn foundational skills she still uses today.

“It was a great learning experience where I got to work hands-on while still attending class,” she said. “I really enjoyed the flexibility of being able to work on site and learning from another perspective.”

After graduating from CLC, Caballero transferred to Lake Forest College on a full scholarship funded by the Schreiber Foundation, a local philanthropy organization. She’s pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in digital media design.

The similarities Lake Forest College shared with CLC made it a good fit for Caballero. The small class sizes at CLC helped her succeed thanks to close relationships with instructors. She also felt prepared for the courses there thanks to the rigor of her Scholars Program classes.

“Small class sizes are very personal with more time for one-on-one,” Caballero said. “Especially in difficult courses that I struggle in, I feel comfortable enough to ask questions.”

The transfer process was smooth and simple with the help of academic success advisors. Knowing where she wanted to transfer, she was able to proactively ensure credits transferred. Having advisors there as a support system helped her feel confident.

Caballero works in marketing at Fischer Paper Products in Antioch which manufactures and supplies high-quality, food-safe paper products for food manufacturers, convenience stores, limited-service restaurants and foodservice distributors.

Skills she learned and used in CLC’s public relations and marketing department transferred to her new position. She had the confidence to take the initiative and freely share her ideas.

Caballero’s favorite thing to do in her current position is research competitors and the industry at large to learn more. She also enjoys projects like storyboarding for photography and taking part in the product photography process. Her work with CLC’s website also benefited her at Fischer, where she is assisting with website redesign.

Caballero hopes to have a career in creative roles, particularly in an international setting. This fall, she is studying abroad in Athens, Greece.

“My advice for CLC students is to look for opportunities and get out of your comfort zone,” Caballero said.