What are you currently studying at CSUMB, and what is your "end goal" or dream job?

I am currently studying Bilingual Elementary Education at CSUMB. I am a part of a program called the Integrated Teacher Education Pathway (ITEP). My end goal is to become a credentialed bilingual elementary school teacher.

How did your apprenticeship help you achieve your goals or refine what you wanted to do next?

My apprenticeship in education helped me get real experience in a classroom, which made me more confident and prepared. It showed me what teaching is actually like and helped me figure out what I enjoy most, like working with students. It also helped me see what I still need to improve on, which made my future goals clearer. Becoming a teacher is a journey in itself, but having the support team at Cabrillo and at the Boys and Girls Club made a huge difference in my apprenticeship experience. I am so excited to continue in education and even more excited to one day become a teacher!

What was your favorite part of the apprenticeship experience?

My favorite memory was when I got to talk at the career summit as a panelist. Yes, of course, it was extremely nerve-wracking, but it felt so rewarding and made me visualize my hard work paying off. I always enjoyed seeing those who helped me during my apprenticeship time and speaking to them in person.

What would you say to a student who is on the fence about starting an apprenticeship?

I’d say DO IT. An apprenticeship gives you real experience, so you can see if it’s actually something you enjoy instead of just guessing. It helped me feel more confident and understand what I want to do, and even if you’re unsure, it’s a good way to figure things out. Getting more experience in the field you want to go into is always good. I am so happy to have been a part of this.