Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorena Quiroz.
Lorena, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began always knowing my desire to work in the helping profession. I am a first-generation college student raised by hard working parents who, despite having limited formal education instilled in me the importance of higher education, strong values, and community. I grew up in the Imperial Valley, border town neighboring Mexicali, Baja California. After attending community college, I transferred to San Diego State University where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Spanish.
Once I finished my undergraduate studies, I started working to gain experience which ultimately helped me discover my passion and direction. This led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Career Development and Human Resources. I was drawn to this career because it allowed me to work in different environments while supporting others in their educational and career journeys, a perfect fit for my interests and values. I was exploring a non-linear path, exploring opportunities in both educational and industry settings. It was during this time, I met my first mentor a college professor who I still have a great relationship with and whose career and guidance greatly influenced my own professional vision.
Over the years, I’ve held diverse roles in nonprofits, for-profits, higher education, and business sectors, focusing on helping individuals identify career paths, advocating for underserved communities, and eventually leading teams and managing programs.
My connection to my familia (family), the community who remained a constant guide, provided direction, open doors to new opportunities and shaping who I am today. Building genuine connections and staying true to my values have led me to a career I’m passionate about, one where I support students and professionals in navigating their careers while giving back to the communities of San Diego and Imperial County.
As I continue in my role as a career development professional, I carry with me the lessons from my personal and professional journey. Every experience, whether a challenge or a success, has shaped the way I mentor, guide, and advocate for others in pursuit of meaningful, purposeful and rewarding life experiences.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. Like anyone, I’ve experienced failures, obstacles, and challenges along the way. I’ve been fortunate to build a great career and have had opportunities come through strong professional relationships, but life is full of roadblocks and unexpected turns.
Over the years, I went through three layoffs, each one difficult in its own way. In those moments, it’s easy to question the “whys,” but I’ve always been someone who doesn’t give up easily. I surrounded myself with good people and leaned on my network and resilience. Every setback became a learning experience, reminding me that when one door closes, another eventually opens. That mindset has carried me through both personal and professional challenges.
The most painful experience of my life happened seven years ago when my brother was taken from us through an act of violence. In an instant, my family’s world changed. The grief, questions, and difficult moments that followed were overwhelming. But through the support of others, my faith, and a determination to stay optimistic, I found a new perspective on life. That tragedy taught me to value every day, appreciate my relationships, and focus on what truly matters. It also fueled my commitment to my community. I became even more determined to give back, mentor others, and create opportunities for people who might not easily find them. Losing my brother didn’t stop my motivation, it strengthened it. It reminded me that in life’s darkest moments, we can choose to be a source of hope and encouragement for others. I’ve learned the importance of finding people who inspire you, believe in you, and walk alongside you through life’s ups and downs. Those connections, along with faith and perseverance, have made the difference in my journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
When people ask what I do for a living, it’s not always easy to answer in a few words. For nearly 30 years with 16 of those in leadership roles, I’ve built a diverse career across multiple positions within the helping profession. My work has included counseling students in various educational settings, supporting underserved communities, guiding international medical graduates navigating the U.S. residency process, managing a hospital department alongside Medical Residents and other healthcare workers, consulting for universities and businesses, leading a residential workforce program for youth, and among other distinctive positions all within the helping profession.
Each of these roles have been unique and rewarding, but a consistent pathway throughout my career has been a commitment to education, career development, and community engagement. After years in supervisory roles, I chose to return to direct student service, recognizing a growing need for personalized career guidance. That decision led me to my current role as Associate Director at the UC San Diego Career Center.
I specialize in helping students navigate educational and career pathways by connecting them with meaningful professional opportunities, resources, and networks. I am passionate about career exploration, mentoring, and empowering students and families to better understand and access educational and workforce systems. Navigating for resources and exploring networking opportunities is without doubt a fundamental need in today’s society. Throughout my career, I have conducted many workshops in career development and find a desire to reach those eager for information, still searching for their passion, learning to overcome the challenges and adopt a winning mindset.
I love working students, families and my community. What I am most proud of is building a career that aligns with my passions and values, while continually challenging myself to learn, grow, and make an impact. I’m known for my resourcefulness, having worn multiple professional hats to serve diverse communities and create opportunities for others. All successes, come with sacrifices and determination. Some of the moments I’m most proud of include the privilege and honor of serving as a Commissioner for the City of Chula Vista, being featured on the cover of the UC San Diego Extended Studies catalog and sharing my personal story, delivering the keynote address at the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers San Diego Chapter’s annual banquet, and speaking at several conferences and career panels. I am honored to have good people who believed my knowledge and helped me developed the confidence to stay true to myself. What sets me apart isn’t just the range of roles I’ve held, but my authentic investment in people valuing relationships, meaningful conversations, and lifelong learning. Every person has a unique story, and I approach each connection as an opportunity to both teach and learn.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality I believe is most important to my success is a combination of confidence, persistence, and determination, along with maintaining a strong mindset. Believing in myself, even when faced with uncertainty or setbacks, is essential. My mindset shapes the ability to lead, make decisions, and navigate both personal and professional challenges. How you show up in life reflects who you are and what you aspire to become.
I also believe in being a lifelong learner. The willingness to continuously learn, grow, and adapt opens doors I didn’t even know existed. Every success and failure offer a lesson, and those lessons build the foundation for future opportunities.
Throughout my career, I’ve learned three core values that matter as I explored and grew in my career:
Stay humble. Appreciating the successes, embracing new opportunities, and never forget to acknowledge those who help you along the way. I often remind students about the power of a simple “thank you”. It’s a small gesture with a lasting impact. People remember your kindness and gratitude, and you never know when paths will cross again, whether it’s for a job referral or reference, letter of recommendation, or a simple advice that goes a long way.
Sacrifice. True growth required giving something up in the short term to gain in the long term. An example was me working full time, while attending graduate school. Those small sacrifices led me to bigger, meaningful opportunities over time. It’s about trusting that the investment you make in yourself today will pay off in the future.
Acceptance. Life will bring successes, challenges, and failures, sometimes when you least expect them. Accepting this reality allows you to stay flexible, optimistic, and open to unexpected opportunities. It helps you pivot when needed and find strength in adversity.
At the core of it all is mindset. A positive, grateful, and good attitude can determine how well you navigate life’s difficulties. The more optimistic and appreciative you are, the better the outcomes you’ll create both for yourself and for those around you.
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorena-quiroz
- Other: https://extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/news-events/extended-studies-blog/dare-dream-do-meet-lorena-an-experienced-professional-who-dared-to-upskill-her-career
