Today we’d like to introduce you to Roxanne Farkas.
Roxanne, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began early on when I knew I wanted to help but not go to med school. My original plan was to be become a Marriage Therapist at the age of 23; well that plan didn’t work out, so I decided to help in other ways, so I started counseling students at Cal State Hayward in the Bay Area, my second internship was working at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory assisting scientist with transferring spacial data from space on another platform, through the Institute of Geophysics Planetary Physics. It was quite interesting position being in the science worlds as a young female with a counseling background. I happen to be the first in my family to get a Bachelor of Arts degree and master’s degree for an educational institution. I hope I have intentionally created support in influencing my family members to continue any degree in higher education in any subject matter. Currently, I most recently accepted a leadership role as the Director for the Division of Physical Sciences at UC San Diego’s Student Success Center https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-center/ – I’ve always wanted to be an intentional leadership role supporting students with professional development and life coaching. Aside from career coaching in consulting in the community as a Career Strategist – https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannefarkas/
I never knew I would continue to give back in the science community, and this is such a great opportunity.
I want to make a contribution in helping guide young scientist in the science field; I have a young seventeen-year-old son who is my pride and joy, and he too is planning an early career in STEM I feel that as a parent, I am there to support and he has given me home in my new leadership role to give back in the UC San Diego community.
When I am not at work, I am running, walking and enjoying the great outdoors, and going to yoga. My favorite beach walk is Torrey Pines State Beach and the 101. Coastal walks and runs keep me well and healthy. Connecting with nature is the best medicine for mediation, fresh air connections with friends and family.
Enjoy some of my favorite photos in San Diego, Run Club with my Wednesday group Del Mar Run Club, hiking with friends’ friends, Mexican Food at Cafe Coyote in Old Town, outdoor yoga at Mission Beach, and much more.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some struggles I’ve faced after the pandemic is continuing to live a healthy lifestyle; we get so busy in a beautiful place (San Diego) that sometimes we forget to place our health first; we also forget to make time and connections with important value people in life. My network is large so being able to juggle being a mom, working full time, and family time can be hard. Taking care of oneself and enjoying the beautiful place we live in takes time, energy, and work; as a career coach for many years, I learned the hard way in prioritizing time and efforts; for me family comes first. My career coaching is my true passion, but starting is hard; developing a business plan, getting a digital presence, contacting your network setting up feels in starting but the most challenging piece is having the true confidence to take that leap of faith and not be afraid to get yourself out there on media, to get noticed and hired. I must admit much support has been from my colleagues and great network.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Career Strategist,
What is my specialize background? Working with people who have potential to create and become a better person and to grow professionally in an ever-changing environment. I like to work with positive individuals who want to make change for the better in life. I like working with people who want to build more self-awareness with motivation whether it’s getting a new job or starting to move to a healthy lifestyle. I mentioned I like the great outdoors and my Wednesday night Run Club – without my group, it would be hard to set goals. I do many of my coaching appointments on outdoor walks vs the office setting or Zoom when the weather is nice outside, 90% of the time.
What am I known for in the community? I am known to be the person to give back all that I have to guide and support people when life gets rough with work. The community at large might say:
1. Roxy supports others during challenging times in life with employment
2. Roxy is resourceful in helping find ways to get from point A to B
3. Roxy will make the time to listen and be intentional with the needs of her clientele.
(See testimonials on LinkedIn)
What am I most proud of?
1. Being a mother and seeing my child succeed and grow, I think being a parent is a wonderful gift that comes with challenges and joys; it gives me hope for the next generations to come.
2. Getting a degree and education is one thing no one can take away from you
3. Traveling with my family to new cultures, it allows me to be more open to new things in life and learn
4. Being a lifelong learner, I think my next goal will be an MBA. I can never get enough of school or maybe sign up for an exciting cooking class (any recommendations sent them my way)
What sets you apart from others? I am the person who is really fun to hang out with, travel with, confide in, and honestly just open and honest. I love traveling, walking, and talking; if you said let’s go to climb Mt. Shasta, I would do it? If you said let’s try this amazing restaurant, I would do it. I am a person who is willing to try things. I am also a person willing to create new innovative ideas for a purpose and someone who is okay to failure, but get up and try again. I am the person who does not give up, no matter what happens. I love to create new ideas and start and finish a creative project, whether an event, a recruitment, or an online class or seminar related to professional growth.
Linktr.ee https://linktr.ee/RoxyF
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannefarkas/
Gallup Coach https://www.gallup.com/learning/certification/en/2526706/profile.aspx
Meet the Staff https://center.ucsd.edu/about/staff
Contact Information: rfarkas@ucsd.edu
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Favorite apps – working out & gratitude app Gratitude App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northstar.gratitude&hl=en_US&gl=US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rox_farkas/
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/473678
These apps get me through the day and help me take one day at a time – giving thanks, capturing moments, and working out help me be the best I can be daily, one day at a time!
Favorite Books:
Never Eat Alone https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84699.Never_Eat_Alone
Rise and Run https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Run-Recipes-Rituals-Cookbook/dp/0593232445?asin=0593232445&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
Pricing:
- $60 per hour Resume Review
- $60 per hour LinkedIn Review
- $100 per hour Life Coaching
- $100 per hour Strength Based Coaching
- $100-$500 Career Seminars
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gallup.com/learning/certification/en/2526706/profile.aspx
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rox_farkas/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannefarkas/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecenterucsd
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/rundelmar/
