Your college journey doesn’t have to follow a straight line, and today’s guest is living proof.

On this episode of ScholarScoop, host Steve Loflin sits down with Lizeth Gonzalez Smith from the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business to talk about how non-traditional educational paths can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

From starting at community college to working in accounting, mortgage banking, and now connecting students with employers, Lizeth’s career is all about adaptability, networking, and maximizing opportunities. She shares why employers are increasingly hiring from diverse academic backgrounds, and how early engagement with career services can give you a huge advantage.

Whether you’re a student, parent, or mentor, this conversation will help you see the power of flexibility, the importance of soft skills, and the lasting impact of building meaningful professional connections.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How community college can accelerate your degree and save you money
• Why human interaction still matters in a tech-driven job market
• The top skills employers want that you can start building now
• How to connect with alumni and professionals for career opportunities

Learn more about Smith Careers and follow Lizeth on LinkedIn:
https://careers.rhsmith.umd.edu/employers-meet-our-employer-relations-team/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/analizethgonzalez