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Alumni Spotlight: Celetre’ Jones ‘17

Some think the definition of success is one size fits all: receive a high school diploma, graduate college, pursue a career in your degree, stay and grow your career in your chosen field, and live happily ever after. This was not the case for Class of 2017 alumna, Celetre’ Jones.

After graduating from Kent State in December 2020 with a communications degree, she dove into her original interest– marketing. She spent one year working at Singleton & Partners, a multicultural marketing agency in Cleveland, where she grew her skillset and thought all of her professional dreams turned into reality. She soon discovered that the marketing and communications field wasn’t where she wanted to spend her future and decided to pursue something that brought her surprising joy yet contrasted her original plan. The IT world.

Celetre’ discovered her interest within IT at a retail corporation, Arhaus Furniture. As the Junior IT Project Manager, she focuses on managing the technical workers on the progress of their projects. She keeps them on track by scheduling any meetings and communicating often to make sure the IT department is on the right path to achieving their goals. She is grateful for her unique journey in finding a work environment that is more fit to who she naturally is. Celetre' shares, “Don't be discouraged if your plan didn’t turn out how you thought it would. It’s okay to not settle with a path you don’t enjoy. I felt equipped to make a change because Saint Martin taught me to be adaptable to change and discover what makes me happy.”

Celetre’ began her high school journey at Saint Martin de Porres, not knowing what her happily ever after would look like. She was heavily involved in extracurricular activities within school including softball, volleyball and basketball as well as the many service opportunities that Saint Martin had to offer.

Her Corporate Work Study job was at a different company every year, which included retail, education, and medical placements. This allowed her to get her hands on many different areas and environments within the workforce at a very early age. She shares, “The variety of organizations I worked for allowed me to meet different people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Being exposed to these professional environments at such a young age prepared me well for social, professional, and cultural interactions that I later saw in college and my career.”

Reflecting back on her time at Saint Martin, Celetre’ offers advice to current students, “Your journey is not one size fits all. I encourage all students to not allow themselves to compare their journeys to others. Unique journeys equals successful journeys.” She appreciates Saint Martin for preparing her for any wild ride that life has to offer especially in the professional atmosphere thanks to the Corporate Work Study Program and hopes that other students can find a special path of their own.

Matthew 6:33 -But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.