Not so long ago, Jessica Trachtenberg was a student at Santa Monica College who wasn’t sure where she was headed. Then, thanks to a fellow student who stopped her when she was en route to classes, asking if she wanted to get involved in student government—and counselors who encouraged her to apply to her dream school (UCLA)—her life changed. Jessica became Associated Students’ Director of Publicity and later transferred to UCLA as a sociology major. Fast forward a few years, including grad school—Jessica returned to SMC as an adjunct career counselor. A creative person whose skills encompass photography and authoring coloring books (more on that later!), Jessica appears in a video for SMC’s Career Services Center. Dressed in a bright yellow SMC t-shirt, with the sun-dappled lobby of the SMC Student Services Center behind her, Jessica reminds students that it’s okay to not know their major right away, and that’s what SMC’s career counselors are here for.
Jessica’s goal is to give back to the place that gave so much to her—to inspire students to move towards their passions and interests, and to know that they are supported all the way. The impact she has on students has not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, SMC’s Academic Senate recognized Jessica with a 2024 Faculty Equity Award for “her impactful work empowering racially minoritized students and fostering an inclusive campus community at SMC.” Jessica had developed electronic course materials for Counseling 12: Exploring Careers and College Majors (a course Jessica teaches, and which she took as a student!) and helped develop, among other things, equitable grading and tailored strategies for diverse students. Jessica is also part of the fourth cohort of faculty in Equitizing Gateway Courses—a two-semester, multi-dimensional professional development opportunity created by faculty for faculty, specifically to cultivate and deepen equity-centered pedagogical practices.
In just five years, this “thoughtful, respectful, kind, and equity minded counselor”—in the words of her supervisor Vicki Rothman—has helped many students get closer to finding their niche in life.
Inspiring students to see possibilities
The first in her family to be born in the U.S.—her first language is not English, either—Jessica remembers not knowing what a career counselor was. She’d stumbled across the Career Services Center at SMC “by accident.” But once she realized what a career counselor did—first-hand—Jessica was inspired enough to want it as a career for herself.
“A career counselor inspires you to see possibilities for your future,” Jessica says, “That is so powerful—that is what happened to me: to have someone that can show you [all] the options and believe in you.” Particularly as someone who came from a more “collectivistic” home and culture, the emphasis on making individualistic decisions and finding her own path, “it was hard,” she admits. “But SMC gave me the resources to figure it out and find a career where I’m excited to wake up every day. I love what I do.”
She is a busy woman! On the day of her interview with SMC in Focus’s editor, Jessica had taught Counseling 12 in the morning, then had office hours, followed by student meetings in person (some days, she meets with students on Zoom, too). Having a packed schedule is a plus because “I get my energy from other people.” She creates a space where students can be as vulnerable as they’d like, and she connects them with resources both within the Career Services Center and across the college. She may help them look for jobs—on-campus or off. All this, Jessica says, is “a big privilege.”
“I want to be that person too”
It was in her second year at SMC—as an Associated Students leader—that Jessica really came into her own. She learned how to integrate her various creative interests into her career path. Counselors Benny Blaydes and Jeff Gordon—both in the Office of Student Life at the time—heavily influenced her, by their constant affirming presence. Denise Martinez, counselor in SMC’s Scholars Program, was another personal cheerleader who had a massive impact—she encouraged Jessica to apply to UCLA, her dream school.
“I want to me that person for my students, too,” says Jessica, reflecting on the person who encouraged her to join student government and the arc of events that followed. “I know how one moment can be so impactful.”
SMC to UCLA transfer student Skylar V. (who asked that her last name be withheld for this article) said that working with Jessica was “transformative.” In both her capacity as a career counselor and co-advisor of the honor society Phi Theta Kappa, alongside English professor Wil Doucet, Jessica proved to be “an incredible pillar of support” throughout Skylar’s time at SMC. “Her unwavering belief in my potential, especially during the challenging internship application process, truly made a world of difference. Jessica’s . . . own journey from SMC to UCLA inspired me, fueling my ambition to achieve my goals.”
Today, Skylar herself is a neuroscience major at UCLA, demonstrating the power of Jessica’s mentorship.
Career Services Center faculty leader Vicki Rothman has observed Jessica teaching Counseling 12 students, and notes how she makes students feel important “in the way she speaks and interacts with them.” “Jessica was interpreting an interest assessment during this class. She would describe an area from the assessment and then ask students for examples,” Vicki said. “She left space for students to think before offering an answer. What a gift to be comfortable with silence to allow students this time to process.”
More Hats than One
While teaching is her favorite thing, Jessica “wears many hats.” Writing letters—by hand. Photography (last year Jessica took headshots for SMC Black Collegians and Adelante students). Graphic design. Managing the Career Services Center’s Instagram page. Authoring two coloring books filled with positive affirmations (the first one, “Color Your Career” was distributed to over 4,000 SMC students by Associated Students). She even walks dogs, and outside of her work at SMC, is the CEO of a professional development company, Career Horizons.
The coloring books are both a tool of self-care as well as of affirmation—while, of course, giving students a break from staring at a screen. Color Your Career has affirmations like “The job I’m looking for is looking for me.” and “I’m open and receptive to new opportunities.” “These were messages I wanted to remind myself of,” says Jessica. “The idea is that even if you don’t believe it right now, while you’re coloring, maybe you will one day.” She hopes that the messages in the coloring books touch not just the students who receive them, but their families too.
“I hope that I am an example for my students,” Jessica says, whose eyes fill with tears when she speaks of the chain of events and individuals who brought her to where she is today.
Vicki Rothman says: “Santa Monica College and our students are very lucky to have Jessica.”
And that says everything.
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SMC in Focus Volume X, Issue 5
From SMC to MIT
SMC alumni Daniela Davalos and Les Armstrong became graduate students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to pursue their respective passions for safer spaceflight and fighting climate change. Read Article
Jazzed to be at USC
Serendipity and a solid thumbs-up from jazz legend Stanley Clarke helped this promising young vocalist find her place on the bandstand. Read Article
Committed Counselor
Personal reasons drive Associate Dean Jose Hernandez’ passion for ensuring that all new students are supported in their academic journey at SMC. Read Article
Doing Her Duty
Career counselor Jessica Trachtenberg is changing students’ lives at the place that changed hers, with creativity, heart, and a joyous sense of duty. Read Article
Bragging Rights
A Geology instructor makes it to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. SMC Fashion students turn unsaleable garments into treasures. A Life Science instructor helps release endangered butterflies. Read Article
Architecture’s Back!
Architecture has made a comeback at SMC, just in time to prepare Corsairs for a field that is evolving in the information age. Read Article