Luis Santiago (He/Him)

Associate Director of Coaching Operations

My passion for working with others in the career decision-making process began with my indecision about what career path I should pursue when entering college. After changing my major multiple times, graduating with a degree that I didn’t use at first, and working full-time while pursuing a second bachelor’s, I finally stumbled upon the world of career counseling. Since 2009, I have used my experiences and formal training to help others reach their academic and career goals.

Now, my role at the Career and Internship Center allows me to train, lead, and supervise a fantastic team of Career Coaches. These coaches work tirelessly to provide the highest level of support to our UW students and alumni as they seek their success in the career development process. From choosing a major/career that’s right for you, all the way to becoming employed, we are here for our UW students every step of the way!

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and I am a proud alum of Florida State University. Now I can call the Pacific Northwest and the University of Washington my home!

Identities & Experiences: Cisgender, Straight Male, Second-Generation Hispanic American, First-Generation College Graduate, Grad School, Working in Education, Working in Management/Leadership, Training & Development, Public Speaking

All Posts

What Is Work-Based Learning? Definition, Examples, and How to Start

The journey from classroom to career can be mystifying, especially if your educational journey doesn’t fit perfectly into a career track. For example, while it might seem easier to major in software engineering and become a software engineer, those of …

Read more

What is Job Shadowing? Definition, Benefits, and How to Set It Up

The job search is exciting because there are so many options for what you can do — but for the same reason, it can also be overwhelming. How can you figure out what you want to do if you don’t know …

Read more

Tips from 21 experts about how to network in their industries

If you’ve read even a few articles or books about how to search for a new job, you’ve undoubtedly read how important it is to network. Unfortunately, many of these articles fail to define just what that means or provide …

By College Recruiter
College Recruiter believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.
Read more

12 strategies for acing your first job interview

Although some employers like Amazon have stopped interviewing candidates for some jobs such as package handler, the reality is that virtually all candidates for virtually all jobs are interviewed by recruiters, hiring managers, and others.

Some interviewers are well-trained. Sadly, …

By College Recruiter
College Recruiter believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.
Read more

6 industries that hire a lot of early career candidates in March

Lawrence “Yogi” Berra was one of the best catchers in baseball history, but today he’s known far better for his ability to mangle metaphors, probably unintentionally. Some of my favorites are:

It’s deja vu all over again.
You can observe …

By College Recruiter
College Recruiter believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.
Read more

The Idealist Career Advice Guide to Starting a New Job

Between meeting colleagues, mastering skills, and tackling new responsibilities, the first three months at a new job can feel invigorating to say the least! But, of course, it will take time to build up the confidence to accomplish everything you …

Read more

First-Generation College Student Career Barriers (and How to Overcome Them)

I was a first-generation college student, and while I’ve held numerous jobs over the past decade, the struggles that began in college still have a lasting effect on me today. Unfortunately, many of the issues we first-generation college students (or …

Read more

Are micro-internships, internships, apprenticeships, or co-ops best for job-seeking students?

It is understandable that many college and university students don’t understand just how much value most hiring managers and others involved in recruiting place on experience as opposed to grades and other academic achievements. Certainly, many employers primarily hire based …

By College Recruiter
College Recruiter believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.
Read more

Top 10 glamorous customer service jobs for students, recent grads, and others early in their careers

Customer service roles are often perceived as entry-level positions, but there are certain niches within this domain that offer not only unique experiences but also a touch of glamour. These positions are particularly suitable for students, recent graduates, and those …

By College Recruiter
College Recruiter believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.
Read more

2 Email Templates for Networking | Template Toolbox

When it comes to introducing yourself to other social-impact professionals, learning about organizations, and ultimately landing your next job, writing a strong networking email is an incredibly useful skill. Even if you aren’t currently job searching, networking is an important …

Read more