Just six years out of college and still not even 30 years old, LVC digital communications graduate Nate Valdez ’14 already has the names of two of the world’s biggest tech companies on his résumé—Google and Facebook.

Currently a technical recruiter at Facebook, Valdez focuses on the business needs of the software engineering department and helping to identify talented individuals who could be a match for those needs. Understanding the technical stack, market and employment trends, and best practices for engaging talent are also part of Valdez’s responsibility.

“The best part of my job is when I hire folks who come from underrepresented backgrounds or who don’t believe they have what it takes to work here,” said Valdez. “It’s very rewarding when you help them build their confidence and see them land their dream job.”

Valdez’s career as a recruiter started at TEKsystems in Harrisburg before relocating to their office in Charlotte, N.C. At that company, he worked as an information technology recruiter to hire software and security engineers along with other technical roles.

When an opportunity with Google in Austin, Texas, arose, Valdez once again packed his car. Just over a year into his time as a software engineer recruiter at Google, a former colleague recruited him to Facebook, where he has been since last fall.

“I always knew I wanted to work in technology,” said Valdez. “Recruiting was very foreign to me, but I had good people skills. Since it allowed me to stay close to the technology side, technical recruiting was where I decided to stay.”

His interest in technology grew as a DigiCOM major at LVC. He built connections with faculty, staff, and his football and track coaches. He leaned on those relationships through difficult times that left him wondering if he’d finish his degree.

“I never thought I would be good enough to work at companies like Google or Facebook, but here I am,” said Valdez. “I want to give a shout out to Coach [Vince] Pantalone for going the extra mile and helping me. He always believed in me, and that helped me push myself.”