Caitlin Weber, who graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2022, started her first undergraduate year as an Environmental Studies student, but after working at organizations that helped students who needed extra guidance or resources, she became interested in Sociology. When she learned about the systemic education obstacles some students face, she chose to be part of the solution.  Today, she works as a Development Coordinator at the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara.

While she was still at school, Weber began to work for non-profit organizations. Then she moved on to the Santa Barbara United Way and the Scholarship Foundation of SB, that run wellness programs in addition to education programs, to help anyone who is part of the Santa Barbara community. In a recent interview, Weber discussed how she forged her professional path while at UCSB.

How did you start your career journey as an undergraduate student? 

My main role throughout my time at UCSB was through the undergraduate peer mentorship program, which had focus on mindfulness and resilience and taught how to provide tools you can give to students who face struggles. It focused on first-generation students and it gave me a first look at social justice and how education can look different for students, based on past experiences. I did this for three years and it helped me become a mentor. During this time, I started to look out for non-profit organizations. 

How did you start working in non-profit organizations? 

During the pandemic, I worked at CALPIRG, a California Public Interest Group that is mostly students.  We focused on things like clean air goals, voter registration, and I would do things such as writing to newspapers to campaign for 100% renewable energy. What I enjoyed was seeing the grassroot side of things.  It was not a conscious decision to work at non-profit organizations, however their mission statements drew me in. I did not know how economic status affects different groups of people, until after some experience I learned that it’s a real issue people face which is why I did not start studying sociology until later in my UCSB career. It was appealing to me and once I learned about social justice, I wanted to learn more and it became my passion. Specifically, education and learning about systematic issues and how our world looks and how race and poverty can become a factor for people.

What kind of work did you do at Santa Barbara United Way? 

I assisted in the planning and execution of a couple programs offered. Like Fun in the Sun, where the goal of this program works to prevent economically challenged and academically at- risk students from losing their academic skills gained during the school year. Another program is the Volunteer income Tax Assistance program where community members would come and help other members of the community with their taxes at no cost. Those are just two of many free programs and events we offered. And to be part of the community and give back is definitely a special feeling because I cannot tell you how many Fun in the Sun students I run into at the grocery store and still remember me by name with their parents by their side with confused looks on their faces. It is nice.

What does it feel like to give back to the same place where you were once a student? 

After working in Santa Barbara for some time, you know it has a strong non-profit community and presence. In fact, what I like is that the community has a lot of say in, and is involved with, actively talking to companies to provide wrap-around services for students and families. Everyone is trying their best to split their services and fill in the gaps where it is needed. 

For instance, a student I worked closely with in an after-school program provided by SB United Way was in our conference room to learn about how the Scholarship Foundation can help their family.  One of the things I like most is that most non-profit organizations here recognize one another and in fact we are encouraged to work with each other because, at the end of the day, we have that same goal of helping the people of Santa Barbara. 

Socials: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-weber-946984174/

Instagram handle: caitlin_weber

Email: caitlinmarieweber@gmail.com