Vicki Molina-Estolano ’11 planned to go to law school after graduating from Scripps College with a degree in Latin American Studies. Working in the tech field never crossed her mind.
All that changed when Facebook came calling.
Now a User Operations Analyst in the Bay Area, Vicki puts her Scripps experience to work as part of Facebook’s Latin American market team. She is charged with helping maintain a positive user experience while Facebook users chat with friends, update their status, and comment on photos. If they are offended by hate speech, graphic and violent content, or cyberbullying, Vicki is responsible for resolving the situation.
And she’s not alone – fellow alums Catharine Burhenne ’11, Lauren Frederick ’11, Idalia Gabrielow ’11, Gina Newman ’11, Mariana Shtukina ’11, and Heather Yang ’09 have launched careers at Facebook as well.
Melinda White ’91 never planned on working for an internet-based company, either, yet today she works as a University Relations Manager for LinkedIn, the social media website for business professionals. Although it wasn’t what either woman expected, both Vicki and Melinda love working for companies that are extremely influential in changing the way people communicate with one another and to the globe.
“It’s an exciting moment, historically, to be part of an influential company that has made such a remarkable impact on the way people communicate with each other,” Vicki says.
“LinkedIn is not too big where I can’t make an impact and it’s not too small where I can’t obtain the resources I need to succeed,” says Melinda. “I’m surrounded by very smart and interesting people and every day is different. Instead of maintaining a function, I have had a tabula rasa opportunity, building something from scratch.”
Vicki points out that her Scripps education gave her the tools to provide creative ideas and useful criticism.
“Tech companies love liberal arts students because we’re critical thinkers,” she says. “Fresh perspectives are very important in what we do.”
A supportive Scripps community helped both women along the way, and so did the opportunity to build confidence and take risks. Vicki recommends any current Scripps student interested in a similar career reach out to alumnae. (Her own job came through a similar referral.)
l-r: Catharine Burhenne ’11, Vicki Molina-Estolano ’11, Mariana Shtukina ’11, Gina Newman ’11, and Lauren Frederick ’11.
“Mine the Scripps network and reach out to people who are doing things that you want to do,” she says. “I’ve found along the way Scrippsies are excited to help their peers.”
“Scripps provided a strong foundation in critical thinking and writing that can be applied to any profession,” says Melinda. “This translates into skills crucial in a corporate world that values innovation, networking, negotiating, and taking initiative. In my professional experience, liberal arts graduates have stood out because they possess these fundamental attributes. They avoid myopic thinking.”
“The best thing that the women’s college experience did for me was give me confidence in my opinions and ability to contribute,” Vicki says. “I use that to my advantage every day.”
Melinda also praises networking and encourages students to find an internship. And, like Vicki, she has found her Scripps experience to be her biggest asset. Melinda’s best advice may be her simplest: “Be proud of your Scripps education and brag about it!”