Natalia Guarin-Klein grew up in Washington Heights, the child of Colombian immigrants who never went to high school but who did go out of their way to make sure their kids had access to educational opportunities.
“My mom had a dream for her children, and she inquired how she could help us get there,” says Guarin-Klein. “Without the right resources, mentorship, and support along the way, my story would have been different.”
Today, Guarin-Klein brings that frame of reference to her role at Brooklyn College. She is currently transitioning into her new, expanded position as executive director of alumni and career engagement after 20 years at the Magner Career Center, the last 10 of which she served as its director.
She brings a lot of relevant experience to the position, including her role as the mom of three children—one in college and two others in high school, a perspective that “has made the mission of helping Brooklyn College students stronger for me,” she says.
We spoke to her about her own career path and the joy she gets out of playing a not insignificant role in the paths of many Brooklyn College students
So many people on campus know you for helping to guide the career trajectory of our students and alumni. What’s the story of how you landed here at Brooklyn College?
I went to SUNY Binghamton because I convinced my parents to let me go away. I received a degree in psychobiology. My mom encouraged me to continue my education before I got married and had kids, so I went straight to New York University and received an M.A. in industrial and organizational psychology. While I was at NYU, I interned at The New York Times in their human resources department. I also worked part-time in HR for a major advertising company, McCann Relationship Marketing.
I used the NYU career center to get a job with Accenture after graduation. Then I fell into higher education by accident. I had a boss I was not happy with. My husband, Richard Klein, was working in the ITS department here. I saw the opening at the Magner Career Center. The position, although a pivot from corporate to higher education, included the aspects I enjoyed about my job: mentoring and guiding people in their careers. It was definitely a bit of luck and timing to land at Brooklyn College.
What will you do in your new role as executive director of alumni and career engagement?
I will support the Magner Career Center director from a strategic perspective and now I’ve added the alumni office to my portfolio. This is exciting because as a career center, we engage 100–200 alumni each year, so it is a natural fit. Plus, the Magner Career Center staff and I built long-lasting relationships with students after they graduate. With the new Magner Center director, Andre Fontenelle, my role will be providing guidance to him as well as expanding events and initiatives with alumni that support students such as our stipend or mentoring program.
Do you want to talk about some of your plans in the new role?
I’m going to first listen to the various stakeholders and start to develop new programming and events. This year, I am piloting an alumni professional development series, which will have five different sessions led by alumni for alumni. I would like to create a group of alumni volunteers with a mix of young and experienced professionals who will lead career development and networking opportunities for alumni within their industry. Perhaps pair an experienced alum with younger alumni. I’d also like to see how we can engage alumni to support college initiatives around things like enrollment.
Magner just celebrated 20 years and you’ve been here for just as long. What have been some of the challenges and successes through the years?
Yes, I started in 2004. I think the challenge is the level of personalized attention students can receive given the staffing. We have to do a lot of consolidating, group events, and outreach at a broad level.
Despite that, we are the little engine that could. Our team is small, but we make up for it by having dedicated and passionate career coaches, leveraging our student staff, and using our alumni as volunteers to better support students.
What makes Brooklyn College students special? What’s been your pitch to employers as you’ve led the Magner Center?
I honestly can’t imagine a better group of students to support. It is the right mix: students with great potential who benefit from the support of the career center. If I had to describe our students to employers, I would say they have grit and drive; they are hardworking. Since the student body is diverse in every sense of the word, they have the ability to work with others and understand their perspectives. And finally, they are humble and do not feel entitled, so they are a true pleasure to work with.
You’ve played an essential role in the career (and personal) development of so many former students—people who’ve gone on to dramatically change their lives. How does that feel?
When Marge Magner supported the formation of the center in 2004, her vision was for Brooklyn College students to have access to a professional network, that often students from more privileged backgrounds have. She realizes that students from other universities were not smarter, more capable or harder working than Brooklyn College but they lacked connections to make the path easier. When she formed the Center she wanted for Brooklyn College alumni to serve as that network for students, to mentor them, open doors to opportunities, help them prepare for an interview at their company etc. I am proud to say that 20 years later, we are making good on her vision.
One of the main reasons I love this job is the opportunity to see students who didn’t fully believe in themselves accomplish a lot, and then give back to the college. The big benefit of being here so long is that I get to be a part of their journey and build relationships. I have connected with thousands of students throughout the years, and I get to see them grow up.
I think it is important for people to find a career they would love doing most days. No job is perfect. Many people go through the motions to earn a paycheck. I am fortunate to be able to say I can’t imagine finding a job that fulfills me as much as my current role.
It really does not get better.
