Senior Jaci Elliott can't escape her educational roots. She always knew she was going to attend college, especially since her father is a principal and her mother is a teacher.
When it came time to decide where to go to college the now 21-year-old found that CSUB was the perfect fit for her. "I came to Cal State Bakersfield as a freshman. My older sister also graduated from CSUB. I wasn't ready to move away after high school, so CSUB was a good choice for me."
Currently Elliott works for Target as the campus liaison at CSUB, "so I recruit for executive team leaders and executive interns on campus," she said. "CSUB has given me an education that will hopefully help me in my future career. The career development center at CSUB also helped me to get the executive internship with Target. The career development center was a great help with my resume and with interview tips."
The Bakersfield native joined the Gamma Phi Beta sorority during formal recruitment and has been a member for almost four years now. "I can't even describe how much my sorority has enhanced my life and college career," Elliott continued. "I have learned so much from being a part of Gamma Phi Beta and made some wonderful friends. It is so great to have a bunch of girls to have fun with during college, but who are also there for you when you need them. I have held three positions in my sorority: scholarship chair, vice president, and public relations vice president. Holding these positions takes a lot of work and dedication, but they benefited me so much in the long run. They taught me so much about the 'real world' and becoming responsible. I had to turn in paperwork on time, create newsletters and new programs, lead my departments, and plan events.
"I also love that with being a member of the sorority there is always something going on like recruitment, retreats, meetings, philanthropies, socials, sisterhoods, Crescent Ball, and Greek Week. We are always so busy in the sorority, but it's a lot of fun... We also fundraise a lot for philanthropic events such as Relay for Life. Last year we rose over $6,500 for Relay for Life."
Elliott is thrilled she got involved at CSUB. "...College would have been so boring for me if I hadn't joined Gamma Phi Beta. You meet so many people, not only in your own organization, but in all the other Greek organizations. It's hard to go on campus and not run into someone you know. Going Greek helps you to become more involved and active on campus and in the community during your college career. Taking a position in a Greek organization can help you develop skills that will benefit you in your future career."
The business administration major will graduate in June 2007 and has been offered the position of an executive team leader for Target pending her graduation. "It's pretty cool that I already have a job lined up before I even graduate," she said. "And I can certainly say that it is in big thanks to my sorority Gamma Phi Beta."