Carlos Rodriguez

Carlos Rodriguez ’27
Major: Finance and Accounting
Involvements: Student Worker Program, Burns Recreation Center Student Worker

As a junior double majoring in Finance and Accounting, Carlos has worked hard to support himself through school while balancing the demands of academics, work, friendships, and future aspirations. Raised in Los Angeles and an alum of Loyola High School, Carlos’ LMU experience is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the importance of community.

Carlos is currently placed at the Burns Recreation Center as part of the broader Student Worker Save and approve  Program position he holds. His typical work week is filled with a variety of responsibilities such as handling membership accounts, assisting supervisors, and responding to student questions. On top of that, he does additional crew jobs, as well as mandatory crew jobs, through the Student Worker Program, attending to various needs across campus. Off-campus, Carlos works as a waiter and restaurant closing manager, where he “handle[s] a little bit of everything.”

With this packed weekly schedule, time management is key. Carlos keeps it manageable by having “all of [his] classes earlier in the day,” which gives him time to “come into work, lift after [his] shift, and still have the night to go out dinner with [his] friends,” such as his favorite Korean BBQ place, Moon BBQ2. His routine speaks to his discipline and time management, all crucial aspects of the Student Worker Program.

He speaks especially candidly about the physical demands and high expectations. Carlos recalls that the hardest crew job he’s done is commencement setup, “not only because it just gets redundant after a point, but it's also like you're in the sun for like eight hours, five days a week. You're lifting, we're setting up close to 16,000 chairs and people sometimes aren’t in the best of moods.” Yet still, he manages to see the positive in it all, saying "It's still really fun.” 

Carlos’ path to LMU began in high school. During his time at Loyola High School, the Vice Provost of Enrollment Management, Thomas Gutto, paid a visit, telling them about an exclusive tour hosted by alumni that any Loyola student could attend. On this tour Carlos realized he “really loved the school.” Looking back at his time so far, Carlos sums up his LMU experience as “a fun ride,” in which he has made a lot of great friends and achieved good opportunities. He thanks Raamen Bass for connecting him with Lauren and Brianna from the Student Worker Program which has lifted a huge weight off his shoulders, financially. 

When asked what part of the Student EXP resonates most with him, Carlos reflects on how his identity and purpose have grown at LMU. “Both Commit to Service and Justice and Live a Life of Purpose” resonated with Carlos. Taking a business law class, meeting attorneys, and networking, he realized he found his purpose, which is to go to law school. 

Part of what motivates him is the support he receives. As someone paying for college on his own, scholarships such as the Sr. Joanne Connolly Scholarship, has “meant the world to [him].” Since his parents are currently struggling financially, Carlos has put in as much work as possible to limit his student loans. Through hard work, self-discipline, and the support of LMU scholarships like the Sr. Joanne Connolly Scholarship, Carlos is on the path to a future defined by purpose and likely a law degree.