Lessons From the McCarthy Center

The McCarthy Center is always proud to see what our students do beyond the classroom, especially when using their values of service, public good, and social justice. We are pleased to spotlight alumna Sofia Andrade ’12 in this week’s blog post, where she shares her journey from USF to a career rooted in equity and community. Follow along for all the tips and tricks of post-grad life. 

If you’re wondering how to turn a passion for social justice into a meaningful career,
you’re in the right place. Let me share how USF and the McCarthy Center helped me
find my purpose and make a real difference in the world.

As a student, I remember feeling a mix of excitement and, let’s be honest, a little bit
of panic. The dreaded question loomed: “So, what’s next?” I knew I wanted to help
people. It was a great intention, but not exactly a five-year plan.

So, let me reassure you: it’s totally okay if you don’t have it all figured out right now.
Life rarely goes according to plan. But being part of the McCarthy Center community
has already put you ahead of the game. This is a place that instills a deep belief in
service, justice, and the common good – a foundation that will guide you in ways you
can’t even imagine yet.

My own path after graduating with a degree in International Studies and a minor in
Public Service has been anything but linear. The McCarthy Center opened doors for
me to explore my passion for service. I had the incredible opportunity to travel to
Uganda, through the Sarlo Scholars program, working on clean water access in rural
communities. That experience was life-changing. It showed me the power of
hands-on service and the impact we can make when we show up with an open
heart and a willing spirit.

2018 Leo T. McCarthy Center Award winner Sofia Andrade with 2025 Leo T. McCarthy Award winner Koa Fong.

After graduation, I took a leap into the California State Senate Fellowship, where I fell
in love with public policy and had the opportunity to work on statewide health and
human services initiatives. That led me to a Master’s in Public Health at UC Berkeley
and eventually to CommonSpirit Health, the largest not-for-profit Catholic health
system in the nation. For the past seven years, I’ve been driven by a mission to serve
the underserved and advance social justice. Today, as Director of Workforce
Development, I lead national efforts across 24 states to ensure our healthcare
workforce better reflects the diverse communities we serve.

Along the way, I’ve learned a few key lessons:

● Community and Partnership are Everything: You can’t change the world
alone. Real, lasting change comes from collaboration. We need to build
bridges between community organizations, government, and business to
create systems that work for everyone.

● Resilience and Adaptability are Your Superpowers: The world is constantly
shifting, especially in fields like healthcare, public policy, and social justice.
Embrace change, learn new skills, and innovate. The critical thinking and
problem-solving skills you’ve honed at the McCarthy Center will be invaluable.

● Be Curious and Explore: Say yes to opportunities that excite you, even if they
scare you a little. Your time here has prepared you to make a real difference.

● Network, Network, Network: Build relationships. Listen to others’ stories.
Share your own. The connections you nurture now can open doors you never
even knew existed.

Even with all I’ve learned, I know the work is never done. I still grapple with big
questions: How do we dismantle systemic inequities in healthcare? How do we
ensure that everyone, regardless of background, income, or zip code, has access to
quality care? How do we balance innovation with sustainability?

These are complex challenges, and that’s why I’m looking to you, the next generation
of leaders, to keep asking hard questions and pushing for better answers.

The world needs your passion, your courage, your fresh ideas, and your unwavering
commitment to justice. Your journey will have twists and turns, but trust in the
foundation you’ve built here – it will guide you.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What are your hopes and dreams for the future? What
challenges are you most excited to tackle? Share your thoughts in the comments
below! And if you’re an alum, what advice would you give to current students? Let’s
keep the conversation going!

Want to know more about the Public Service and Community Engagement Minor? Click HERE.