She’s the First at UCLA, or STF UCLA, is an organization on campus that promotes the academic achievement of women from developing or low-income countries. The organization strives to provide scholarships and opportunities for these women through fundraising events, informational seminars and career panels. Gratia O’Rafferty, the co-president of STF UCLA, describes the club’s primary value as “building community on campus.”
One of the most popular and frequent events hosted by the club is Global Awareness Presentation, or GAP, nights, which cover topics ranging from the impact of conflict on women to Blake Lively’s controversial media presence. Marley Leonard, the co-president, states that these meetings have a focus on “current events and historical figures” that tie into their mission of removing barriers to education for women worldwide. The club is not only based at UCLA; STF has locations across the country and worldwide, and their members and advocates, some of whom break into male-dominated fields, go on to make successful careers.
The club offers advice and a series of tips for pursuing, applying and maintaining jobs in the workforce. Of the points emphasized, hands-on experience prior to job application is at the top of the list. Sabrina Sullivan, an STF UCLA affiliate and a recruiter for Behavior Frontiers, offers advice on resume construction, highlighting the importance of including only what is relevant to the position one is applying to. As a recruiter, she states that she tries to find potential interns at career and job fairs, promoting the importance of attending these events.
Additionally, Ava Ehteshami, an STF affiliate, shares her perspective on the job market, underscoring the importance of resilience. She explains how she applied to over 200 jobs, with only four of them resulting in interviews. From these four, she accepted a position from M.S. Hatch Consulting , a woman-owned environmental consulting firm . Her clients range from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy to Universal Studios. However, she was mainly attracted to the role because of its remote aspect, which allowed her the freedom to pursue a healthy work-life balance. Her main advice to STF UCLA members includes preparing for cover letters and interviews. Taking the extra time to deep dive into a company and personalize a resume, cover letter and interview talking points allows for greater success and individuality in the job market, Ehteshami says.
Both Sullivan and Ehteshami are recent hires in their respective fields, and they provide great wisdom on the process of applying for jobs. Kimberly Wong, a criminal defense attorney who has been working in her field for 30 years, provides the most long-term wisdom for STF UCLA members in career evolution and decision-making. She recalls how her career did not start in criminal defense because of the lack of good parental support and the fear of hearing the words “no respectable law firm will hire you” if she worked for organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union or the NAACP. Because of these influences, she spent the first year of her career working in banking and corporate law.
Wong lays out the truths of hating her corporate position to STF UCLA members as an inspiring reminder that it is always possible to change one’s career path. During her time in corporate law, she volunteered “to provide the best representation to the people who have no voice,” which led her to criminal defense as her final career choice. As a woman working in a male-dominated profession with predominantly male clients, she explains the judgments people can form of her at first glance. “As an Asian woman, I have 20 seconds to establish that I am competent and compassionate,” Wong says, referencing her conversations and debriefs with clients.
The leadership, knowledge and professional expertise of STF UCLA’s affiliates and members is excellent for helping members of the club to achieve successful careers. Members of the club contribute to worldwide change for women in the pursuit of education, as well as personal gains through workshops, presentations and mentorships. They meet every Tuesday at 6 p.m. , and more information about the club can be found on the STF UCLA instagram for everyone who wants to expand their horizons and beyond.
Co-president Marley Leonard interacts with club members during an arts activity. Her vibrant and welcoming energy helps create a safe space within the club. Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
Workshop facilitator and club member Isabella participates in the weekly arts activity. She often assists the co-presidents in setting up presentations and coordinating schedules. Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
The club members all chat and get creative during the arts-based club activity of the week. Every week they learn of topics related to women, whether it be public-speaking on women's health and career topics, scholarship, and academics. Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
