On any given day, Haydeh Kaveh will step away from her computer and take a walk around the neighborhood as a way to rejuvenate and recharge.
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In Kaveh’s case, the “neighborhood” is the Santiago Canyon College campus, where Kaveh has worked as a research analyst for almost 10 years.
“Starting the job at SCC was like returning home,” Kaveh said.
SCC is that dear to Kaveh, who enrolled in noncredit ESL classes at the college when emigrating to the U.S. from Iran years ago to start a new life.
Although she had studied basic English in Iran and had earned a master’s degree in management information systems in her home country, Kaveh felt she needed to develop a deeper command of the language to work in a similar field in the U.S.
“So overall, it wasn’t easy starting over and proving myself again,” she said. “I didn’t have any kind of resume or background here to show.”
She found SCC through a Google search.
Within about five months of taking the noncredit ESL classes, a professor encouraged her to take the placement test and move into English coursework for credits.
After completing English 101 at SCC, Kaveh was confident enough to continue her education and build a career.
Desiring to make inroads in education-related data roles, Kaveh volunteered at Cal State Fullerton’s Center for Research on Education Access and Leadership.
She credits the experience at Cal State Fullerton, and the mentorship she received there, for changing her trajectory.
“It truly changed my life,” Kaveh said. “I was incredibly lucky to find that office. I always say, I would not be where I am today without the support team there.”
To continue volunteering, Kaveh enrolled in a one-unit class to qualify as a student employee.
The center eventually received a grant and was able to hire her as a part-time data analyst.
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As she became more proficient in English, Kaveh enrolled in a master’s program in statistics at Cal State Fullerton.
In the meantime, Kaveh, a single parent, had also become a licensed real estate agent to support her son while working toward her master’s degree.
“Life was intense but very meaningful,” she recalls. “At the beginning of my (master’s) program, I underestimated how challenging the language barrier would be in a technical subject. But I didn’t give up and would catch up step by step.”
Eventually, Kaveh left real estate because the evening and weekend hours took too much time away from her son.
She took a part-time analyst role at Cerritos College, and the experience gave her the confidence to apply for a full-time research analyst role.
In February 2016, Kaveh’s journey went full circle when she was hired at SCC. She is part of the Institutional Effectiveness and Research team, compiling vital data such as student demographics, enrollment, dual enrollment and transfer trends.
“She is the backbone of my research department,” said Aaron J. Voelcker, SCC’s dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Library & Learning Support Services. “You have to provide the right data to help decision-makers in their efforts.”
While her path has been unique and inspiring, Kaveh wasn’t hired at SCC because she had been a student at the college, Voelcker said.
“We hired her because she was a top applicant,” Voelcker said. “Her resume was great, she interviewed really well, she was highly articulate, and we hired her as a research analyst. She has been with us for about 10 years now and is the most seasoned and experienced research analyst we have here.”
She is also involved with the college, often volunteering for events and taking on jobs outside of her job description, Voelcker said.
“Santiago College is more than just a workplace for me,” Kaveh said. “It’s where I found my voice, rebuilt my confidence and turned a new beginning into a life that I am proud of.”
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