Advisee Spotlight: Jimmy Weng
Career paths aren’t always linear. For many FGLI students, graduates, and career seekers, having access to real-world experiences, guidance, and a strong network can make it easier to explore what’s next—and change direction when they discover something new.
Advisee Jimmy Weng first learned about CareerSpring through our Education Partner FirstGenU during his first year at UC Berkeley. He quickly began making the most of our Career Platform, connecting with Advisors, building his communication skills, and pursuing opportunities through our Employer Partner Network.
Through our FORWARD Internship Program, he joined our Employer Partner BDO’s Finance cohort in 2024, gaining experience in accounting and data analytics. The experience helped him realize that his strengths and interests could lead him somewhere different. He shared, “CareerSpring has helped me get my foot in the door in different industries, and that's really helped me understand what I want to do in my early career. There, I learned more about finance, which originally was my career goal, especially learning more about the data analytics side, along with accounting experience. From there, I really took a step back to understand not just what I personally want to do but also what connects with my skills.”
Fast forward to 2026, and that early career exploration led Jimmy to our Employer Partner OLLY PBC, where a Candidate Coach helped him prepare to apply and interview for a role as a Brand Intern, helping him understand how his experiences could translate to a new industry.
He shared, “CareerSpring really helped me understand the areas where I lacked due to my experience but also pointed me in the right direction on how to interview properly and connect with the position. I didn't know how [my experiences] would connect well, but once I learned more about the position, OLLY PBC, and the responsibilities, I realized my skills and experience aligned really well with the expectations.”
Now, after wrapping up a successful summer as a Brand Intern at OLLY PBC, Jimmy has gained more than experience in a new industry—he’s gained a clearer understanding of what’s possible. “CareerSpring helped me not just understand what connects with my interests and what I'm good at, but also that industries are not limited to a single position.”
Jimmy’s story is a reminder that career exploration is a journey. With the right opportunities and a network of people to turn to, Advisees can gain the confidence to explore, change direction, and find a path that’s right for them.
Learn more about becoming an Employer Partner here.