Career Roadmap
Alex's work combines: Education, Politics, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Katella High School
Bachelor's Degree
African-American/Black Studies
University of California-Berkeley
Graduate Degree
Urban Education and Leadership
University of California-Los Angeles
Certification
Community College Administration
Teachers College at Columbia University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Education Administrators, Postsecondary:
Bachelor's Degree: African-American/Black Studies
Graduate Degree: Urban Education and Leadership
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I graduated high school with a 2.1 gpa and I was a signature away from enlisting into the Marine Corps.
2.
At 17, I found out I was going to be a father and decided to enroll at my local community college.
3.
As a community college student, I had to learn to be a student and build my confidence. Counselors and professors invested in my success.
4.
Before transferring to UC Berkeley, my partner and I had twins. So together with our family of 4 we moved 800 miles away to attend Berkeley.
5.
I suffered a sense of guilt and imposter syndrome during my first semester at Berkeley. But, a professor mentored and guided me.
6.
After a tutoring Spanish in East Oakland at a high school I was inspired to become a teacher and decided to apply to graduate school. I knew that I wanted to support students like me.
7.
With the support of the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers, I was admitted to UCLA for graduate studies. A day before my orientation, my family and I had one more child.
8.
After working for another nonprofit in Los Angeles, I found the opportunity to work with first-generation students starting in 7th grade until they graduate college.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
because you're going to community college and a teen father you won't accomplish anything in life. You're not going to transfer and graduate from college. You'll be working two jobs to support your children.
How I responded:
The sacrifice, discouragement, obstacles, hurt, and doubt is momentary. In the end, I knew that getting my college education would be the only way to provide my 4 children with a chance to do more then I did.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I was afraid, but thought I was alone. When I encountered counselors, professors and other community members who were first-gen, I learned to ask for help . You have to take risks, become uncomfortable and know that you're not alone.