Alumni Spotlight: Jessica Martinez

Meet Jessica Martinez, a financial analyst and CIS of Atlanta alumna:

How did you get involved with CIS? 

I learned about CIS at the start of my senior year. I lost a scholarship by a tenth of a GPA point due to me working extra hours. CIS provided resources to get me back on track and regain my scholarship. 

What impact did CIS have on your life, and how did it shape where you are today? 

CIS made me feel seen and showed they cared about my success. Their support helped me get through school. Because of CIS, I was able to complete my college credits. They also played a large role in me graduating as my high school valedictorian. 

Tell us a bit about your career path since your time with CIS. 

When I was a CIS student, I worked for a construction company. After that, I worked at a car dealership as a salesperson. After graduating from Georgia State with a B.A. in Finance, I was offered a job as a Project Analyst for Home Depot. I was recently promoted to Financial Analyst. 

What advice would you give to current CIS students and recent graduates? 

Don’t give up on what you want to accomplish. It’s ok to feel frustrated because some of us must work 10x harder than others. The extra work makes all your accomplishments much more satisfying.  

Is there a favorite book, quote, or personal mantra that has inspired you? 

I once heard that you should replace “have to” with “get to” and that really stuck with me. I realize many people would love to have the same opportunities and support that I had and continue to receive.  

Are there any hobbies, passions, or fun facts about you that you'd like to share? 

I love dancing and music in general! I listen to music while I work, exercise, do homework, and in my free time.