Sergio Contreras, Jr.
United for Student Success, Orange County United Way
Career Roadmap
Sergio's work combines: Education, Business, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Westminster
Bachelor's Degree
Criminal Justice
California State University-Long Beach
Graduate Degree
Public Policy & Administration
California State University-Long Beach
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Executive Director & Community Leader:
Bachelor's Degree: Criminal Justice
Graduate Degree: Public Policy & Administration
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I’m a first-generation college grad.. Education changed my life. I majored in Criminal Justice at Cal State Long Beach because I wanted to make my community stronger and safer. The path was a journey.
2.
In college, I interned at Orange County Juvenile Hall; it was then that I realized I wanted to do more to help ALL students stay on track to graduate high school on time, college- and career-ready.
3.
I ran for the Westminster School Board because I believed strong schools could change everything for our community. I wanted to be at the table where decisions were made about our kids’ futures.
4.
I ran for elected office THREE times before I won.. Each loss taught me something. I didn't give up on my dream and became the FIRST elected Latino to serve on the Westminster school board.
5.
As a school board member, I worked to expand access to technology and new learning opportunities for first-generation students and their families, the same communities I grew up in.
6.
My commitment kept growing. I ran for Westminster City Council and became the first elected Latino to serve in that role, too. Every door I opened, I wanted to make sure it stayed open for the people
7.
I also serve on the Midway City Sanitary District to protect the health and safety of families who don’t always have someone fighting for them.
8.
Today, I am Executive Director of United for Student Success at the OC United Way where I work to build equity to increase Orange County graduation rate for socio-economically disadvantaged students..
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Don't waste your time. You shouldn't run for public office. It will be too hard and not worth it. You won't win.
How I responded:
Believe in your dreams and don't give up. Commit to your goals and you will achieve them. Every "No" is an opportunity. Run with it. Share your vision and ask for help. You are not alone.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I am come from a working family. My father was a night custodian at Disneyland for 44-years. My mother was a factory worker. I worked full-time through college to help pay for my educational expenses.
My neighborhood growing up was not the best. But I stayed focused on my work and made it out.
I used my experience as a new American to better learn what the American experience is like and how I could assist other citizens in obtaining a better quality life.
I am the first and only member of my family to graduate from college. It was a struggle, but I committed and pushed through. I had learned to figure it out. I learned that there are many people what want to help I need to ask.